Network Device Firewall (T1686.002)

Tactic: defense-impairment

Tactics
defense-impairment
Platforms
Network Devices
Reference
attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1686.002

Description

Adversaries may disable network device-based firewall mechanisms entirely or add, delete, or modify particular rules in order to bypass controls limiting network usage.

Adversaries may obtain access to devices such as routers, switches, or other perimeter/network devices and change access control lists (ACLs), security zones, or policy rules to permit otherwise blocked traffic. For example, adversaries may add new network firewall rules to allow access to all internal network subnets without restrictions. Allowing access to internal network subsets may enable unrestricted inbound/outbound connectivity or open paths for command and control and lateral movement.

Adversaries may obtain access to network device management interfaces via Valid Accounts or by exploiting vulnerabilities. In some cases, threat actors may target firewalls and other network infrastructure that are exposed to the internet by leveraging weaknesses in public-facing applications (Exploit Public-Facing Application).(Citation: CVE-2024-55591 Detail)

Adversaries may also modify host networking configurations that indirectly manipulate system firewalls, such as adjusting interface bandwidth or network connection request thresholds.

How GTK Cyber trains on this

GTK Cyber's Threat Hunting with Data Science course teaches you to build machine-learning detections for techniques like this across the MITRE ATT&CK framework, including the defense-impairment tactic this technique falls under. Practitioner-led, focused on real detections, not memorizing technique IDs.

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