What is a Multi-Vector Attack?

Multi-vector attacks are sophisticated cyberattacks that use multiple methods to gain access to an organization’s systems. For example, an attacker may perform a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack using multiple techniques or types at once. A multi-vector DDoS attack might combine application-level attacks with a TCP flood to increase the probability of overloading the target system.

Multi-vector attacks are more difficult to perform because they require a command of multiple techniques and a high level of coordination. However, they can be far more effective than single-vector attacks if performed correctly.

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The Evolution of Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks have grown more numerous and sophisticated over the years. In the beginning, hackers were relatively rare and performed their attacks for fun, not profit. However, over time, cybercrime emerged and became more sophisticated.

2017 was a turning point for cybersecurity with several, sophisticated cyber threats appearing. In 2017, WannaCry became the first modern, major ransomware attack. The same year, multi-vector attacks began to emerge as cybercrime became more professionalized and threat actors worked to refine and enhance their tactics and techniques.

Today, cyber threat actors have the capability to launch sophisticated, multi-vector, and extremely damaging attacks. One of the main drivers of this evolution — and the emergence of Gen V cyber threats — is the availability of nation-state level tools and techniques in the marketplace. With cyber threat actors able to purchase and deploy advanced tools and vulnerabilities, companies and organizations face much more advanced cyberattacks.

The Characteristics of a Multi-Vector Attack

A multi-vector attack is defined by the simultaneous use of multiple attack vectors or methods of entry to an organization’s system. For example, an attacker may simultaneously launch a phishing attack and a DDoS attack or combine phishing with credential stuffing.

What Do Attackers Get Out Of Multi-Vector Attacks?

Multi-vector attacks often require more resources and sophistication than single-vector attacks. However, they do offer a higher probability of success for a few different reasons, including:

Vulnerability Identification: A multi-vector attack targets multiple potential vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems. By doing so, an attacker increases their probability of identifying a true vulnerability and gaining access to an organization’s systems.
Difficult Detection: With a multi-vector attack, an organization may struggle to detect all attack vectors or may focus on a particular one. For example, a loud and flashy DDoS attack could act as a smokescreen for a more subtle attack such as account takeover or data exfiltration.
Complex Remediation: Multi-vector attacks are more complex for an organization to remediate because the incident response team needs to identify and remediate each line of attack. As a result, an attacker may retain access for longer due to slowed remediation or the security team overlooking one of the attack vectors.

Multi-vector attacks are more difficult to perform and coordinate. However, they are growing more common as cybercriminals evolve their capabilities and take advantage of the increased effectiveness of these attacks.

Multi-Vector Attack Protection

Protecting against a multi-vector attack requires the ability to identify and prevent or remediate multiple simultaneous attacks. Some key capabilities include:

Comprehensive Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP): Multi-vector attacks are often performed by sophisticated threat actors with the ability to evade traditional, signature-based security solutions. Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) capabilities are needed to block attacks across multiple potential vectors.
Centralized Visibility and Management: A security architecture composed of disconnected point security solutions is less effective and more difficult to operate. Centralized, comprehensive visibility is essential for a security team to identify and manage a multi-vector attack.
Prevention-Focused Security: Prevention-focused security works to identify and block attacks before they reach an organization’s systems and pose a risk to the business. This simplifies management of multi-vector attacks and enables security teams to better focus their efforts.
Scalable Incident Response: Managing a multi-vector attack can be complex, especially if an attacker is targeting multiple parts of an organization’s IT infrastructure. An integrated security architecture with automated incident management capabilities is essential to managing multiple attack vectors at scale.

Preventing Multi-Vector Attacks with Check Point

Companies face a cyber threat landscape that is rapidly evolving and growing more sophisticated. With the emergence of Gen-V cyber threats, organizations face large-scale, multi-vector cyberattacks. These attacks often use tools and techniques developed by well-resourced nation-state threat actors that have since been released into the marketplace. To learn more about the current state of the cyber threat landscape and the types of threats that organizations need to defend themselves against, check out Check Point’s 2023 Mid-Year Cybersecurity Report.

Check Point provides the tools that organizations need to protect themselves against these sophisticated attacks. With a focus on threat prevention and an integrated security architecture, Check Point helps organizations to neutralize threats before they reach corporate systems and maintain centralized visibility and management across its entire security architecture. To learn more about managing the Gen V cyber threat landscape, check out this webinar.