Game On: How Threat Intel and Sandboxing are the Ultimate Co-op

Date: 11/05/2024

“Cybersecurity is a strategic, multiplayer game where teamwork matters—combining threat intelligence with sandboxing is like unlocking a powerful duo, essential for tackling today’s malware challenges.”

When it comes to defending against modern cyber threats, it’s no secret that the landscape is growing more complex and dynamic by the day. For any CTI team trying to protect an organization, finding an effective approach to react to both exploited vulnerabilities and malware is critical, especially with threat actors stepping up their tactics. We’re all aware of the risks that come with exposed edge devices and VPN appliances, but the reality is that keeping up with these external vulnerabilities is becoming increasingly challenging. That’s why threat intelligence has become a cornerstone of broader strategies—it helps prioritize what matters most on the attack surface and gives security teams the proactive edge they need.

Now, while vulnerabilities have always been the prime entry point for attackers, the threat from malware is growing in parallel—and often, it feels like the industry can’t keep up. According to IBM’s X-Force Incident Response data, malware is now the top weapon for threat actors, being used in 43% of incidents. It’s clear: we have a malware problem on our hands. As cybercriminals rake in profits from ransomware, they have more resources to evade detection and get creative in their delivery methods, including buying and modifying code from stealer malware developers and initial access brokers (IABs).

This is where the combination of threat intelligence and sandboxing comes into play. Together, they’re a powerful duo. Threat intelligence is crucial for mapping out the broader picture and understanding which threats to prioritize, while sandboxing offers a closer look at how malware behaves in real-time. With the right integration, such as our work with ThreatConnect, teams gain deeper insights into specific malware families, volume analysis of samples, and even email-based threat analysis—all in one streamlined flow. This enhanced visibility is a game-changer for CTI teams, SOC analysts, and anyone on the front lines, enabling them to make faster, more informed decisions.

For any team—whether just starting out in the threat intelligence journey or looking to bolster existing CTI capabilities—these tools aren’t just operational assets; they’re also invaluable learning resources. For junior analysts, malware sandboxing reports can provide eye-opening insights into malware tactics, helping them understand the threat landscape on a deeper level.

📷 #Alert: Malicious code embedded in XSLT stylesheet is quietly executed in the background when XML is processed.

📷 Instead of using WScript.Shell-type functions, which static analysis tools can easily detect, this Excel sample takes advantage of a lesser-known feature of… pic.twitter.com/SEHy8FUMw3

— VMRay (@vmray) October 10, 2024

And with infostealers like Redline and Lumma becoming more sophisticated, having the ability to analyze malware in-depth within a threat intelligence platform gives organizations a strategic advantage.

If this piques your interest, join us on November 17th for our webinar, Sandboxing-Powered Threat Intelligence: Defending Against Stealer Malware.

Register here: https://threatconnect.com/events/sandboxing-powered-threat-intelligence-defending-against-stealer-malware-webinar/

Update to the Blog Post:

As we prepared for this webinar, we couldn’t have predicted just how quickly the cybersecurity landscape would shift. On October 28th, 2024, the Dutch National Police, along with the FBI and other partners from Operation Magnus, managed to disrupt the operations of the Redline and META infostealers—an impressive feat that highlights the power of coordinated action against cybercrime.

However, even as one threat is dismantled, new ones are quick to fill the gap. Infostealers are evolving rapidly, with threat actors constantly adapting their tactics and targeting strategies. We initially focused on Redline due to its prominence in recent attacks, but this development only underscores the importance of monitoring infostealer landscaspe that can pivot as quickly as the threats themselves

Ertugrul Kara

Ertugrul Kara is the Senior Product Marketing Manager for VMRay. With a career spanning over 10 years in cybersecurity, he has seen the advancement of security products from open source firewalls to automation-powered threat detection technologies following the evolution of threat landscape. He is currently focused on leading the marketing efforts for VMRay’s security automation solutions while enhancing the alignment between the products with enterprise customer needs. Previously, he has held various roles in early stage security startups, led the product launch and growth strategies, and run his own startup specialized in network security.

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