D3-NNI

Model
Network Node Inventory

Definition

Network node inventorying identifies and records all the network nodes (hosts, routers, switches, firewalls, etc.) in the organization's architecture.

How it works

Administrators collect information on network nodes in their architecture using a variety of administrative and management tools that query network devices and nodes for information. In some cases, where such queries are not supported or provide specific information of interest, an administrator may also collect this information through network enumeration methods to include host discovery and scanning for active ports and services.

Considerations

Scanning and probing techniques using mapping tools can result in side effects to information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems.

An adversary conducting network enumeration may engage in activities that parallel normal network node inventorying activities, but would require escalating to admin privileges for most of the operations requiting administrative tools

Examples

Link-layer discovery

Link-layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP)

Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP)

Application-layer discovery

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) collects MIB information

Web-based Enterprise Management (WBEM) collects CIM information

Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)

Windows Management Infrastructure (MI)

Artifact Relationships

This defensive technique relates to specific digital artifacts.

inventories
Network Node Inventory
Network Node

References

Reference - IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks - Station and Media Access Control Connectivity Discovery Reference - Qualys Network Passive Sensor Getting Started Guide Reference - An Architecture for Describing Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management Frameworks Reference - Web-Based Enterprise Management Reference - Windows Management Infrastructure (MI) Reference - Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)