The MITRE ATT&CK framework describes how real adversaries operate, not theoretical vulnerabilities. For application security teams, ATT&CK provides a powerful lens to move beyond static bug-finding toward attack-path thinking, runtime defense, and measurable risk reduction.
This article walks through each core ATT&CK tactic from an AppSec-first perspective, focusing on how attacks manifest inside applications, APIs, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native runtimes. We also describe what are the quantitative signals (what to measure) and provide a qualitative analysis (what it means) for each of attack tactic.
For application security teams, MITRE ATT&CK provides:
- A shared language with SOC and IR teams
- A threat-informed approach to secure design
- A way to map OWASP risks to real adversary behavior
- A foundation for measuring detection and prevention coverage
Modern AppSec is no longer just about preventing bugs—it’s about understanding attacker behavior across the full lifecycle and designing applications that remain secure even when something goes wrong.
1. Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the preparatory phase where attackers collect information about targets before exploitation. This includes understanding application structure, exposed functionality, authentication flows, and technology stacks.
In applications, reconnaissance often appears as benign-looking traffic:
- API endpoint enumeration
- OpenAPI/GraphQL schema discovery
- JavaScript bundle inspection
- Feature flag probing
Because these actions resemble legitimate usage, they are rarely blocked—but they dramatically reduce attacker uncertainty.
Key AppSec Controls
- Disable unnecessary introspection (GraphQL, metadata)
- Protect API schemas behind authentication
- Rate-limit unauthenticated endpoint discovery
- Reduce frontend exposure of internal logic
2. Initial Access
Initial Access represents the attacker’s first successful entry into the environment. This phase often exploits known weaknesses rather than novel techniques.
For applications, initial access commonly occurs through:
- Injection vulnerabilities (SQLi, SSTI, XSS)
- Authentication abuse (credential stuffing, OAuth misbinding)
- Supply chain compromise (vulnerable libraries, poisoned builds)
- Exposed secrets in repos or pipelines
Key AppSec Controls
- Continuous SAST, DAST, and SCA
- Strong authentication defaults (MFA, bot resistance)
- Secure dependency and artifact management
- Automated secrets detection
3. Execution
Execution occurs when attackers run code within the compromised environment, allowing them to manipulate application behavior directly.
In AppSec, execution typically stems from:
- Remote Code Execution (RCE)
- Unsafe deserialization
- Template injection
- Abuse of serverless or job execution features
This phase marks a clear trust boundary failure.
Key AppSec Controls
- Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP)
- Sandboxed execution environments
- Removal of dangerous runtime primitives
- Least-privilege execution identities
4. Persistence
Persistence allows attackers to maintain access across restarts, redeployments, or credential rotation.
Application-layer persistence often abuses legitimate features:
- Backdoored admin or service accounts
- Malicious OAuth apps or API keys
- CI/CD pipeline tampering
- Stored payloads in databases or configs
Key AppSec Controls
- Immutable infrastructure and deployments
- Identity lifecycle monitoring
- Configuration drift detection
- Approval workflows for integrations and webhooks
5. Privilege Escalation
Privilege Escalation enables attackers to gain higher-level permissions than initially granted, amplifying impact.
This is one of the most common application failures:
- Broken access control
- IDOR vulnerabilities
- Overly broad RBAC roles
- Misconfigured service accounts
Key AppSec Controls
- Centralized authorization logic
- Policy-as-code enforcement
- Automated authorization testing
- Least-privilege role design
6. Defense Evasion
Attackers actively attempt to avoid detection by blending in, obfuscating activity, or disabling controls.
At the application layer, evasion includes:
- Payload obfuscation
- Low-and-slow abuse patterns
- Using legitimate APIs for malicious purposes
- Suppressing or bypassing logs
Key AppSec Controls
- Behavioral anomaly detection
- Mandatory security logging
- Tamper-resistant audit trails
- Separation of logging and execution paths
7. Credential Access
Credential Access focuses on stealing secrets that enable broader access and movement.
Applications frequently expose credentials through:
- XSS-based token theft
- Secrets in logs or error messages
- In-memory token access
- Compromised CI/CD credentials
Key AppSec Controls
- Short-lived, scoped tokens
- Secure cookie flags (HttpOnly, SameSite)
- Secrets vaults
- Log sanitization
8. Discovery
Discovery involves mapping the internal environment to identify high-value targets and trust relationships.
In modern apps, discovery may include:
- Enumerating internal APIs
- Querying cloud metadata services
- Mapping tenants and permissions
- Inspecting feature flags or configs
Key AppSec Controls
- Metadata endpoint protection
- Internal API authorization
- Strong tenant isolation
- Service identity validation
9. Lateral Movement
Lateral Movement allows attackers to expand from the initial foothold into other systems or services.
In application environments, this often happens through:
- Reused service tokens
- Implicit trust between microservices
- Over-permissive internal APIs
Key AppSec Controls
- Zero Trust service-to-service communication
- Mutual TLS (mTLS)
- Explicit service authorization policies
10. Collection
Collection is the aggregation of sensitive data in preparation for exfiltration.
Applications are particularly vulnerable to:
- Bulk API reads
- Abuse of export or reporting features
- Access to logs, backups, or analytics endpoints
Key AppSec Controls
- Data classification and access controls
- Rate limits on bulk operations
- Monitoring for abnormal read patterns
11. Command & Control (C2)
Command & Control establishes communication between compromised systems and attacker infrastructure.
In AppSec, C2 often hides in:
- Outbound API calls
- Webhooks or integrations
- Cloud-native messaging services
Key AppSec Controls
- Egress filtering
- Integration allowlists
- Application-level network telemetry
12. Exfiltration
Exfiltration is the final stage where attackers move stolen data out of the environment.
Common application exfiltration paths include:
- API-based data extraction
- Encrypted uploads
- Abuse of storage or reporting features
Key AppSec Controls
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Outbound traffic monitoring
- Anomaly detection on data volume and timing
Mapping OWASP Top 10 to MITRE ATT&CK
The OWASP Top 10 identifies the most critical classes of application weaknesses.
The MITRE ATT&CK framework describes how attackers exploit those weaknesses across the full lifecycle of an intrusion. In the table above, we map how the OWASP Top 10 category maps to the primary attack tactic.
Mapping OWASP → ATT&CK helps AppSec teams:
- Move from bug-centric to attack-path–centric security
- Align AppSec findings with SOC detection and response
- Prioritize fixes based on downstream attacker impact
Conclusion
With deep understanding of the OWASP, MITRE and other frameworks, the team at Pervaziv AI is geared to deliver the next most innovative solution in Cybersecurity and AI.
