Understanding SentinelOne Cobalt Strike Parser: Key Components and Features

Cobalt Strike is a commercial adversary simulation software that has gained widespread attention in recent years due to its versatility and effectiveness. As a result, many network defenders have seen Cobalt Strike payloads used in intrusions, but for those who have not had the opportunity to use it as an operator, it can be challenging to understand the many components and features included in this framework.

At its core, Cobalt Strike is the command and control (C2) application itself. However, it has two primary components: the team server and the client. The team server is the C2 server portion of Cobalt Strike, which is contained in the same Java executable (JAR file) as the client. The only difference between the two is what arguments an operator uses to execute it.

The client can be run on Windows, macOS or Linux systems, and is how operators connect to a team server. It can accept client connections, BEACON callbacks, and general web requests. On the other hand, the team server only supports being run on Linux systems and by default accepts client connections on TCP port 50050.

Active callback sessions from a target are also referred to as 'beacons'. Cobalt Strike's default malware payload is called IECACON, which is used to create a connection to the team server. This connection is essential for operators to communicate with the team server and issue commands.

BEACON is another term that may be used interchangeably with Cobalt Strike, but it specifically refers to the default malware payload used to create a connection to the team server. In this context, BEACON callbacks are an important component of Cobalt Strike's functionality.

Understanding Cobalt Strike requires knowledge of these key components and features. By grasping the differences between Cobalt Strike, BEACON, and the team server, defenders can better analyze and respond to malicious activities involving this tool. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Cobalt Strike and its various components, as well as references to additional resources for further learning.

In conclusion, SentinelOne Cobalt Strike parser is an essential component of the Cobalt Strike framework, allowing operators to connect to the team server and issue commands. Understanding the differences between Cobalt Strike, BEACON, and the team server can aid defenders in analyzing and responding to malicious activities involving this tool. By grasping these key components and features, network defenders can better identify new ways to hunt for, respond to, and attribute malicious actors using this tool.

Sentinelone cobalt strike parser