What does the command phase in the cyber kill chain typically involve?

The command phase in the cyber kill chain is crucial as it focuses on establishing persistent control over compromised systems. This phase follows the initial exploitation and involves the attacker communicating with the compromised system to carry out further actions. Establishing control may include setting up command and control (C2) channels that allow the attacker to remotely manage the compromised system, exfiltrate data, or deploy additional malicious payloads.

In this context, gathering information on the target, delivering the initial attack, and installing malware on the target are all integral parts of earlier phases in the kill chain. Gathering information is part of reconnaissance, where attackers collect data to identify potential vulnerabilities. Delivering the initial attack often refers to the weaponization and delivery phases, where an attacker sends malware or exploits to a target. Installing malware is typically part of the execution phase, where the attacker executes the malicious payload. Each of these stages precedes the command phase, which is focused on controlling and managing the compromised environment.