Automated Repeatable Adversary Threat Emulation with Effects Language (EL)

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Damodaran, Suresh K., Rowe, Paul D.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Damodaran, Suresh K.
Rowe, Paul D.
author_facet Damodaran, Suresh K.
Rowe, Paul D.
contents The emulation of multi-step attacks attributed to advanced persistent threats is valuable for training defenders and evaluating defense tools. In this paper, we discuss the numerous challenges and desired attributes associated with such automation. Additionally, we introduce the use of Effects Language (EL), a visual programming language with graph-based operational semantics, as a solution to address many of these challenges and requirements. We formally define the execution semantics of EL, and prove important execution properties. Furthermore, we showcase the application of EL to codify attacks using an example from one of the publicly available attack scenarios. We also demonstrate how EL can be utilized to provide proof-of-attack of complex multi-step attacks. Our results highlight the improvements in time and resource efficiency achieved through the use of EL for repeatable automation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_06420
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Automated Repeatable Adversary Threat Emulation with Effects Language (EL)
Damodaran, Suresh K.
Rowe, Paul D.
Cryptography and Security
Programming Languages
The emulation of multi-step attacks attributed to advanced persistent threats is valuable for training defenders and evaluating defense tools. In this paper, we discuss the numerous challenges and desired attributes associated with such automation. Additionally, we introduce the use of Effects Language (EL), a visual programming language with graph-based operational semantics, as a solution to address many of these challenges and requirements. We formally define the execution semantics of EL, and prove important execution properties. Furthermore, we showcase the application of EL to codify attacks using an example from one of the publicly available attack scenarios. We also demonstrate how EL can be utilized to provide proof-of-attack of complex multi-step attacks. Our results highlight the improvements in time and resource efficiency achieved through the use of EL for repeatable automation.
title Automated Repeatable Adversary Threat Emulation with Effects Language (EL)
topic Cryptography and Security
Programming Languages
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.06420