MITRE ATT&CK  /  T1685

T1685

Disable or Modify Tools

Description

Adversaries may disable, degrade, or tamper with security tools or applications (e.g., endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools, intrusion detection systems (IDS), antivirus, logging agents, sensors, etc.) to impair or reduce visibility of defensive capabilities. This may include stopping specific services, killing processes, modifying or deleting tool configuration files and Registry keys, or preventing tools from updating. This may also include impairing defenses more broadly by disrupting preventative, detection, and response mechanisms across host, network, and cloud environments.(Citation: SCADAfence_ransomware)In addition to directly targeting tools, adversaries may block or manipulate indicators and telemetry used for detection. This includes maliciously disabling or redirecting sensors such as Event Tracing for Windows (ETW), modifying event log configurations (e.g., redirecting Security logs), or interfering with logging pipelines and forwarding mechanisms (e.g., SIEM ingestion).(Citation: Microsoft Lamin Sept 2017)(Citation: ETW Palantir)More advanced techniques include leveraging legitimate drivers or debugging mechanisms to render tools non-functional, bypassing anti-tampering protections, and targeting specific defenses such as Sysmon or cloud monitoring agents. Adversaries may also disrupt broader defensive operations, including update mechanisms, logging infrastructure (e.g., syslog), or event aggregation, further degrading an organization’s ability to …

Platforms

Mitigations

• M1018 — User Account Management
• M1047 — Audit
• M1022 — Restrict File and Directory Permissions
• M1042 — Disable or Remove Feature or Program
• M1054 — Software Configuration
• M1038 — Execution Prevention
• M1024 — Restrict Registry Permissions

Our coverage

• Fast16 Malware Reverse-Engineering: State-Sponsored Computation Sabotage Analysis
• DEEP#DOOR Python Backdoor Detection: YARA Rules, Network IOCs, and Credential Theft Defences

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