Unveiling the Human Element in Cyberattacks: Insights from Windows Event Logs
Cyberattacks are often portrayed as meticulously orchestrated operations executed with machine-like precision. Public reports frequently depict threat actors following a flawless playbook, seamlessly achieving their objectives without encountering obstacles. However, a deeper examination of Windows Event Logs and endpoint detection and response (EDR) telemetry reveals a more nuanced reality: cybercriminals are human, prone to trial and error, adaptation, and occasional missteps.
The Reality Behind the Scenes
Between November and December 2025, security researchers investigated three distinct cyberattack incidents targeting a residential development firm, a manufacturing company, and an enterprise shared services organization. Despite differing targets, these incidents shared commonalities in their execution and the challenges faced by the attackers.
In each case, the attackers exploited vulnerabilities in web applications running on Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) to gain initial access. Rather than deploying traditional web shells, they leveraged coding flaws within the web application pages to execute remote commands. This approach allowed them to bypass some conventional security measures but also introduced complexities that led to observable mistakes and adjustments.
The Attackers’ Learning Curve
The attackers’ journey was marked by a series of trials and errors:
1. Initial Detection and Adaptation: In the first incident, the threat actor attempted to download malware using certutil.exe, a legitimate Windows utility. This action was promptly detected and blocked by Windows Defender. In response, the attackers modified their strategy in subsequent attempts by preemptively adding Windows Defender exclusions before deploying their payloads. This adaptation highlights their reactive approach to overcoming security defenses.
2. Persistence Challenges: The attackers made multiple attempts to establish persistence on the compromised systems by creating Windows services. However, these efforts frequently failed due to configuration errors and system limitations. Despite these setbacks, the threat actors persisted, returning to the compromised endpoints with different tools and methods, each attempt reflecting their struggle to maintain access.
3. Tool Variations: The attackers deployed various tools, including a Golang Trojan named agent.exe and SparkRAT, to achieve their objectives. The use of multiple tools indicates a lack of a streamlined attack plan and suggests that the attackers were experimenting to find effective methods.
Infection Mechanism and Execution
The infection chain in these incidents followed a pattern:
– Exploitation of Web Application Vulnerabilities: The attackers identified and exploited coding flaws within web application pages hosted on IIS servers. This exploitation allowed them to execute arbitrary commands remotely without the need to upload additional malicious files.
– Command Execution and Enumeration: Upon gaining access, the attackers executed standard enumeration commands such as whoami.exe, netstat, and ipconfig to gather information about the compromised system and its network environment.
– Malware Deployment: The attackers attempted to download and execute malware using built-in Windows utilities. Initial attempts were thwarted by security defenses, prompting the attackers to adjust their methods, such as adding exclusions to Windows Defender, to facilitate malware deployment.
Implications for Cybersecurity
These incidents underscore several critical points for cybersecurity professionals:
– Human Element in Cyberattacks: Attackers are not infallible; they encounter challenges, make mistakes, and adapt their strategies in response to defensive measures. Recognizing this human element can inform more effective defense strategies that anticipate and exploit these vulnerabilities.
– Importance of Comprehensive Logging: Detailed logs, such as Windows Event Logs, provide invaluable insights into attacker behaviors, missteps, and adaptation patterns. Regular analysis of these logs can aid in early detection and response to ongoing attacks.
– Adaptive Defense Strategies: Security measures should be dynamic, capable of responding to the evolving tactics of attackers. Implementing layered defenses that can adapt to new threats is crucial in mitigating the impact of cyberattacks.
Conclusion
The examination of Windows Event Logs from recent cyberattack incidents reveals a reality far removed from the notion of flawless, sophisticated threat actors. Instead, it highlights the human aspects of cyberattacks—trial and error, adaptation, and occasional failure. By understanding and leveraging these insights, cybersecurity professionals can develop more resilient defense mechanisms that anticipate and counteract the evolving tactics of attackers.
