<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
---
name: performing-iot-attack-simulation
description: >-
  Simulate attacks targeting IoT and OT devices including firmware extraction,
  protocol fuzzing, default credential exploitation, and network segmentation
  bypass to assess IoT security posture and industrial control system defenses.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: adversary-simulation
tags:
  - iot-security
  - ot-security
  - firmware-analysis
  - protocol-fuzzing
  - industrial-control
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1200", "T1078.001", "T1542", "T1498", "T1557"]
  frameworks: ["MITRE ATT&CK ICS", "OWASP IoT Top 10", "IEC 62443"]
  tools: ["python3", "firmwalker", "binwalk", "boofuzz"]
---

# Performing IoT Attack Simulation

## Overview

IoT attack simulation targets connected devices and operational technology
systems — from firmware extraction and analysis to protocol fuzzing, default
credential exploitation, and network segmentation bypass. These assessments
validate device hardening, network isolation controls, and detection
capabilities for IoT-specific attack patterns that traditional IT security
tools often miss.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `python3` | Security tooling |
| `binwalk` | Security tooling |
| `firmwalker` | Security tooling |
| `boofuzz` | Security tooling |
| `protocol analyzers` | Security tooling |
| Authorized IoT assessment scope with device inventory | Environment requirement |
| Isolated test network segment for device interaction | Environment requirement |
| Safety review for OT/ICS device testing to prevent operational impact | Environment requirement |

## Workflow

### Step 1: Device Discovery and Enumeration

```bash
# Discover and fingerprint IoT devices on network segment
node scripts/agent.js discover --network 192.168.10.0/24 --output devices.json

# Enumerate device services and open ports
node scripts/agent.js enumerate --target 192.168.10.50 --deep
```

### Step 2: Firmware Analysis

```bash
# Extract and analyze device firmware
node scripts/agent.js firmware-extract --image firmware.bin --output extracted/

# Scan extracted firmware for credentials and vulnerabilities
node scripts/agent.js firmware-scan --path extracted/ --checks all
```

### Step 3: Protocol and Authentication Testing

```bash
# Fuzz IoT protocol implementation
node scripts/agent.js fuzz --target 192.168.10.50 --protocol mqtt --iterations 1000

# Test default and weak credentials
node scripts/agent.js cred-test --target 192.168.10.50 --wordlist iot-defaults.txt
```

### Step 4: Segmentation and Reporting

```bash
# Test network segmentation between IoT and corporate segments
node scripts/agent.js segmentation-test --source iot-vlan --target corp-vlan

# Generate IoT security assessment report
node scripts/agent.js report --scope full --output iot-report.json
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Iot Attack Simulation Detection
id: abfd58e6-d5d4-4ea0-87a3-375c2002bc01
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to performing iot attack simulation techniques in adversary simulation context
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine: "*performing*iot*"
  condition: selection
level: high
tags:
  - attack.t1200
  - attack.t1078.001
  - attack.t1542
  - attack.t1498
  - attack.t1557
  - attack.execution
falsepositives:
  - Authorized red team exercises during approved testing windows
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Iot Attack Simulation Detection | windows/process_creation | Sigma rule (high) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1200, T1078.001, T1542, T1498, T1557 |

## Verification

- [ ] IoT device inventory complete with firmware versions
- [ ] Firmware analysis identifies embedded credentials and vulnerabilities
- [ ] Protocol fuzzing completed without permanent device impact
- [ ] Network segmentation validated between IoT and corporate zones
- [ ] Report prioritizes remediation by device criticality

## References

- [OWASP IoT Top 10](https://owasp.org/www-project-internet-of-things/) — IoT vulnerability categories
- [MITRE ATT&CK for ICS](https://attack.mitre.org/matrices/ics/) — Industrial control system techniques
