Cybercriminals don’t just attack at once—they use staged cyberattacks to infiltrate, escalate, and detonate malware inside a target network. These attacks are highly strategic, allowing hackers to evade detection, steal credentials, and cause maximum damage.
At Code Hyper One, we help businesses understand, detect, and prevent staged cyberattacks before they can wreak havoc. Let’s break down how an attacker moves through different stages of an attack, using MITRE ATT&CK tactics as seen in the images below.
🛠️ Stage 1: Initial Access – Gaining Entry
The attack begins with a simple trojan or phishing email designed to gain initial system access. At this stage, the hacker is focused on:
🎯 Key Actions:
✅ Sending a phishing email with a malicious attachment (e.g., .pdf with malware)
✅ Exploiting public-facing applications with known vulnerabilities
✅ Using stolen credentials from the dark web
📌 Example (from image):
A phishing email with an attachment is sent, containing two different malware types in case one fails. PowerShell scripts execute undetected, and malicious files start running in the background.
🚨 Prevention Tip:
🔹 Train employees to identify phishing emails
🔹 Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)
🔹 Use email security solutions to block suspicious attachments
🔐 Stage 2: Privilege Escalation – Gaining Higher Access
Once inside, attackers don’t rush—they move slowly and stealthily to steal administrator credentials and gain full control.
🎯 Key Actions:
✅ Capturing stored passwords from browsers, registries, and memory
✅ Exploiting misconfigurations to elevate privileges
✅ Installing Remote Access Trojans (RATs) like Cobalt Strike
📌 Example (from image):
Attackers modify registry settings to extract passwords in cleartext. This allows them to steal administrator credentials and lay down a foothold in the system.
🚨 Prevention Tip:
🔹 Enforce privileged access management (PAM)
🔹 Disable cleartext password storage
🔹 Use Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) solutions
🛠️ Stage 3: Preparation – Spreading the Attack
With administrator privileges, the attacker begins to prepare the final attack by:
🎯 Key Actions:
✅ Disabling security tools (Defensive Evasion)
✅ Moving laterally across networked systems
✅ Preloading ransomware on multiple devices
📌 Example (from image):
Attackers disable security settings, move to the domain controller, and spread ransomware to all connected systems.
🚨 Prevention Tip:
🔹 Monitor for unusual admin activities
🔹 Set alerts for security setting changes
🔹 Use Zero Trust Security to block lateral movement
💣 Stage 4: Detonation – Executing the Attack
This is the final stage, where ransomware is executed to encrypt files and shut down business operations. Since security tools were disabled in Stage 3, the attack runs without resistance.
🎯 Key Actions:
✅ Encrypting all critical files
✅ Displaying a ransom demand
✅ Blocking system recovery attempts
📌 Example (from image):
Using stolen admin credentials, the attacker runs WMI commands to execute ransomware on all systems.
🚨 Prevention Tip:
🔹 Regularly back up critical data offsite
🔹 Implement ransomware protection tools
🔹 Have an Incident Response Plan (IRP) ready
🎯 Summary: The Role of MITRE ATT&CK in Staged Attacks
Hackers follow MITRE ATT&CK tactics to plan and execute cyberattacks in stages. The chart (in the second image) shows how each attack phase aligns with different MITRE techniques such as:
🔹 Discovery – Gathering network details
🔹 Privilege Escalation – Gaining admin access
🔹 Lateral Movement – Spreading the attack
🔹 Impact – Executing ransomware
🛡️ How Code Hyper One Can Help You Stay Secure
🚀 At Code Hyper One, we provide advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect your business from staged cyberattacks.
✅ Penetration Testing – Simulating attacks to find vulnerabilities
✅ EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) – Real-time threat monitoring
✅ Ransomware Protection – Blocking malware before it spreads
✅ Incident Response Planning – Preparing businesses for cyber threats
🔎 Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of Cybercriminals
Hackers don’t attack all at once—they move in stages to evade detection and maximise damage. By understanding how staged cyberattacks work, businesses can better protect themselves.
🚨 Is your business prepared for a cyberattack? Contact Code Hyper One today to strengthen your cybersecurity defenses.
