MITRE ATT&CK FRAMEWORK

Active Scanning

Active Scanning refers to a technique where a red team operator uses automated or semi-automated tools to systematically probe a system or network to find vulnerabilities or gather information.

Active Scanning can involve network scanning, vulnerability scanning, or wordlist scanning, among other things. It’s essentially a method where an attacker interacts directly with a system to gather information, as opposed to passive methods, like eavesdropping on network traffic, which involve listening in on communications or studying publicly available information.

Active Scanning can give an adversary a detailed understanding of the systems and services in use, including potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited. However, it also runs a greater risk of being detected, as it involves sending packets to the target system or network and awaiting a response.

Red Team Operators simulate full-scale cyber attacks on an organization, essentially playing the role of the attacker. The goal is not only to find vulnerabilities in a system, but also to assess how well the organization’s defenses (people, processes, and technologies), including the Blue Team, can withstand an actual cyber attack. The red team’s operations are designed to be as realistic as possible to simulate real-world threats.

The cybersecurity information provided on this site is strictly for educational use. We hold no responsibility for misuse and urge users to apply these skills ethically, on networks or systems where they have explicit authorization – such as a private home lab.