The DREAD model is a risk assessment framework used to evaluate and prioritize the security risks of an application. It stands for Damage potential, Reproducibility, Exploitability, Affected users, and Discoverability.
Step-by-Step Explanation
Understanding DREAD:
Purpose: Provides a structured way to assess and prioritize risks based on their potential impact and likelihood.
Components:
Damage Potential: The extent of harm that an exploit could cause.
Reproducibility: How easily the exploit can be reproduced.
Exploitability: The ease with which the vulnerability can be exploited.
Affected Users: The number of users affected by the exploit.
Discoverability: The likelihood that the vulnerability will be discovered.
Usage in Threat Modeling:
Evaluation: Assign scores to each DREAD component to assess the overall risk.
Prioritization: Higher scores indicate higher risks, helping prioritize remediation efforts.
Process:
Identify Threats: Enumerate potential threats to the application.
Assess Risks: Use the DREAD model to evaluate each threat.
Prioritize: Focus on addressing the highest-scoring threats first.
Reference from Pentesting Literature:
The DREAD model is widely discussed in threat modeling and risk assessment sections of penetration testing guides.
HTB write-ups often include references to DREAD when explaining how to assess and prioritize vulnerabilities in applications.
Reference:
Penetration Testing - A Hands-on Introduction to Hacking
HTB Official Writeups