T1218

System Binary Proxy Execution

Stealth

Description

Adversaries may bypass process and/or signature-based defenses by proxying execution of malicious content with signed, or otherwise trusted, binaries. Binaries used in this technique are often Microsoft-signed files, indicating that they have been either downloaded from Microsoft or are already native in the operating system.(Citation: LOLBAS Project) Binaries signed with trusted digital certificates can typically execute on Windows systems protected by digital signature validation. Several Microsoft signed binaries that are default on Windows installations can be used to proxy execution of other files or commands.Similarly, on Linux systems adversaries may abuse trusted binaries such as <code>split</code> to proxy execution of malicious commands.(Citation: split man page)(Citation: GTFO split)

Platforms

LinuxmacOSWindows

Mitigations

M1050 — Exploit Protection
M1037 — Filter Network Traffic
M1026 — Privileged Account Management
M1038 — Execution Prevention
M1042 — Disable or Remove Feature or Program
M1021 — Restrict Web-Based Content

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Source: MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise matrix. View on attack.mitre.org →