The Red Report 2025 by PICUS: A Deep Dive into Cybersecurity Threats and Defenses

Every year, the Red Report 2025 by Picus Security is a must-read for cybersecurity professionals. It provides a meticulous analysis of the most prevalent threats, a spotlight on the most widely used attack techniques, and a guide for security teams striving to stay ahead. The Red Report 2025 is no exception—it takes readers on a journey through advanced attack methods, defense strategies, and the evolution of cyber threats.

The Perfect Heist: SneakThief and the Art of Cybercrime

This year’s edition tells a gripping story, almost like a cyber-thriller. At the heart of the report is SneakThief, an incredibly sophisticated malware that epitomizes the perfect digital heist. The report describes it as a surgical cyberattack, one that infiltrates systems using advanced evasion techniques and automation tools. SneakThief isn’t just malware—it’s an entire attack architecture designed to penetrate, exfiltrate, and remain undetected for as long as possible.

The parallel with a meticulously planned burglary is striking: the report uses a narrative style that makes the threat feel even more tangible. Cybercriminals are portrayed as digital masterminds, orchestrating attacks with military precision, stealing credentials, leveraging covert communication channels, and persisting in compromised systems through startup execution techniques. One of the report's most significant insights is that cybercriminals are no longer just relying on standalone techniques—they are combining multiple attack methods to maximize damage and evade detection.

The 10 Most Prevalent MITRE ATT&CK Techniques of 2024

After analyzing over 1 million malware samples and mapping more than 14 million malicious actions, PICUS identified the top 10 most commonly used MITRE ATT&CK techniques, which account for 93% of all observed malicious activities:

1. T1055 – Process Injection: Injecting malicious code into legitimate processes to evade detection.
2. T1059 – Command and Scripting Interpreter: Using tools like PowerShell to automate attack operations.
3. T1555 – Credentials from Password Stores: Stealing credentials from password managers and browsers.
4. T1071 – Application Layer Protocol: Using encrypted communication to bypass security controls.
5. T1562 – Impair Defenses: Disabling security tools to avoid detection.
6. T1486 – Data Encrypted for Impact: Encrypting data for ransomware or extortion purposes.
7. T1082 – System Information Discovery: Gathering intelligence on the target system.
8. T1056 – Input Capture: Deploying keyloggers and other input monitoring techniques.
9. T1547 – Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Ensuring malware persistence through system reboots.
10. T1005 – Data from Local System: Stealing sensitive data directly from infected machines.

Emerging Trends: Silent, Persistent, and Targeted Threats

One of the most striking findings of the Red Report 2025 is the explosive rise of credential theft, which surged from 8% in 2023 to 25% in 2024. This dramatic increase underscores the growing reliance on credential-based attacks, not only for identity theft but also for lateral movement and access to high-value systems.

Another key trend is the merging of infostealers with ransomware. Attackers are shifting from rapid, smash-and-grab ransomware campaigns to long-term, multi-stage operations, where data is stolen first and then used for extortion. Ransomware is no longer just about encryption—it has become a full-fledged extortion business model that leverages stolen information.

How to Respond: Proactive Defense and Continuous Validation

The report makes it clear that responding to these evolving threats requires a shift from reactive to proactive security strategies. Key recommendations for security teams include:

• Continuous Security Validation: Regularly testing and updating security controls to ensure effectiveness against emerging attack techniques.
• Behavioral Analytics: Moving beyond signature-based defenses and focusing on suspicious behavioral patterns.
• Adaptive Threat Hunting: Proactively searching for threats before they escalate into full-blown incidents.
• Enhanced Credential Protection: Implementing stronger security measures for credential storage, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), privileged access management (PAM), and regular privilege audits.
• Encrypted Traffic Inspection: Investing in decryption and advanced traffic analysis solutions to detect hidden malicious communications.

The Red Report: More Than an Analysis, a Cyber Resilience Manifesto

The Red Report 2025 is not just a snapshot of today’s threat landscape—it’s a call to action for achieving true cyber resilience. It sends a clear message: cybersecurity can no longer afford to be reactive—it must be anticipatory. The key takeaway is the shift from static defense mechanisms to an adaptive, dynamic security strategy, where security is a continuous process rather than a checklist.

For cybersecurity professionals, this report is not just a recommended read—it’s an essential guide to understanding where we stand today and where cyber threats are heading. And, as it reminds us every year, the best investment in security isn’t just in technology—it’s in learning to think like an attacker in order to defend like the greatest strategist.