MITRE ATT&CK®: APT29 Techniques Mapped to Mitigations and Data Sources

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ATT&CK provides a framework for defenders to enhance their posture against specific adversaries. To use ATT&CK in this way, find an adversary group you’re interested in and identify the techniques that they are known to use. For each technique, pull up the technique page to see how that adversary uses the technique, as well as how you can potentially mitigate and detect it.

This chart helps visualize the results. Here, we have the techniques that APT29 is known to use in the middle column. We linked each technique on the left to potential means of mitigation and on the right to data sources that defenders can use to potentially detect the technique. Defenders can look at this chart either to see how their current mitigations and data sources stack up to APT29, or as a roadmap to plan how they can architect their defenses.

For more information, you can read about APT29, or other groups, on the ATT&CK website: attack.mitre.org.

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LEGENDAPT28APT29Both

Comparing APT28 to APT29

Finding Gaps in Defense

LEGENDLow PriorityHigh Priority

AppleScriptApplication Deployment

Software

Distributed ComponentObject Model

Exploitation ofRemote Services

Logon ScriptsPass the HashPass the Ticket

Remote Desktop ProtocolRemote File CopyRemote Services

Replication ThroughRemovable MediaShared WebrootSSH Hijacking

Taint Shared ContentThird-party Software

Windows Admin SharesWindows Remote

Management

Commonly Used PortCommunication Through

Removable MediaConnection Proxy

Custom Command andControl Protocol

Custom CryptographicProtocol

Data EncodingData ObfuscationDomain Fronting

Domain GenerationAlgorithms

Fallback ChannelsMultiband Communication

Multi-hop ProxyMultilayer EncryptionMulti-Stage Channels

Port KnockingRemote Access Tools

Remote File CopyStandard Application Layer

Protocol

Standard CryptographicProtocol

Standard Non-ApplicationLayer Protocol

Uncommonly Used PortWeb Service

Automated ExfiltrationData Compressed

Data EncryptedData Transfer Size Limits

Exfiltration Over OtherNetwork Medium

Exfiltration Over Commandand Control Channel

Exfiltration Over AlternativeProtocol

Exfiltration OverPhysical Medium

Scheduled Transfer

Data DestructionData Encrypted for Impact

DefacementDisk Content WipeDisk Structure Wipe

Endpoint Denial of ServiceFirmware Corruption

Inhibit System RecoveryNetwork Denial of Service

Resource HijackingRuntime Data Manipulation

Service StopStored Data Manipulation

Transmitted DataManipulation

Audio CaptureAutomated Collection

Clipboard DataData from Information

RepositoriesData from Local System

Data from NetworkShared Drive

Data from Removable MediaData Staged

Email CollectionInput Capture

Man in the BrowserScreen CaptureVideo Capture

Drive-by CompromiseExploit Public-Facing

ApplicationExternal Remote Services

Hardware AdditionsReplication ThroughRemovable Media

Spearphishing AttachmentSpearphishing Link

Spearphishing via ServiceSupply Chain Compromise

Trusted RelationshipValid Accounts

AppleScriptCMSTP

Command-Line InterfaceCompiled HTML FileControl Panel Items

Dynamic Data ExchangeExecution through API

Execution throughModule Load

Exploitation forClient Execution

Graphical User InterfaceInstallUtil

MshtaPowerShell

Regsvcs/RegasmRegsvr32Rundll32Scripting

Service ExecutionSigned Binary

Proxy Execution

Signed ScriptProxy Execution

SourceSpace after FilenameThird-party Software

Trusted Developer Utilities

DLL Search Order HijackingImage File Execution Options Injection

Plist ModificationValid Accounts

Accessibility FeaturesAppCert DLLsAppInit DLLs

Application ShimmingDylib Hijacking

File System Permissions WeaknessHooking

Launch DaemonNew Service

Path InterceptionPort Monitors

Service Registry Permissions WeaknessSetuid and Setgid

Startup ItemsWeb Shell

.bash_profile and .bashrcAccount Manipulation

Authentication PackageBITS Jobs

BootkitBrowser Extensions

Change DefaultFile Association

Component Firmware

BITS JobsClear Command History

CMSTPCode Signing

Compiled HTML FileComponent Firmware

Component Object ModelHijacking

Control Panel ItemsDCShadow

Deobfuscate/Decode Filesor Information

Disabling Security ToolsDLL Side-Loading

Execution GuardrailsExploitation for

Defense EvasionFile Deletion

File PermissionsModification

File System Logical OffsetsGatekeeper Bypass

Group Policy ModificationHidden Files and Directories

Hidden Users

Exploitation forPrivilege EscalationSID-History Injection

SudoSudo Caching

Scheduled Task Binary Padding Network SniffingLaunchctl

Local Job SchedulingLSASS Driver

Trap

Access Token ManipulationBypass User Account Control

Extra Window Memory InjectionProcess Injection

Account ManipulationBash HistoryBrute Force

Credential DumpingCredentials in Files

Credentials in RegistryExploitation for

Credential AccessForced Authentication

HookingInput CaptureInput PromptKerberoasting

KeychainLLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning

and RelayPassword Filter DLL

Private KeysSecurityd Memory

Two-Factor AuthenticationInterception

Account DiscoveryApplication Window

Discovery

Browser BookmarkDiscovery

Domain Trust DiscoveryFile and Directory DiscoveryNetwork Service ScanningNetwork Share Discovery

Password Policy DiscoveryPeripheral Device Discovery

Permission Groups DiscoveryProcess DiscoveryQuery Discovery

Remote System DiscoverySecurity Software Discovery

System InformationDiscovery

System NetworkConfiguration Discovery

System NetworkConnections Discovery

System Owner/UserDiscovery

System Service DiscoverySystem Time DiscoveryVirtualization/Sandbox

Evasion

EnterpriseFramework

To help cyber defenders gain a common understanding of the threats they face, MITRE developed the ATT&CK framework. It’s a globally-accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real world observations and open source research contributed by the cyber community.

Used by organizations around the world, ATT&CK provides a shared understanding of adversary tactics, techniques and procedures and how to detect, prevent, and/or mitigate them.

ATT&CK is open and available to any person or organization for use at no charge.

For more than 60 years, MITRE has worked in the public interest. Through our public-private partnerships and federally funded R&D centers, we work across government and in partnership with industry to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation.

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The best defense is a well-tested defense. ATT&CK provides a common adversary behavior framework based on threat intelligence that red teams can use to emulate specific threats. This helps cyber defenders find gaps in visibility, defensive tools, and processes—and then fix them.

Cyber threat intelligence comes from many sources, including knowledge of past incidents, commercial threat feeds, information-sharing groups, government threat-sharing programs, and more. ATT&CK gives analysts a common language to communicate across reports and organizations, providing a way to structure, compare, and analyze threat intelligence.

Use ATT&CK for Cyber Threat Intelligence

ATT&CK includes resources designed to help cyber defenders develop analytics that detect the techniques used by an adversary. Based on threat intelligence included in ATT&CK or provided by analysts, cyber defenders can create a comprehensive set of analytics to detect threats.

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Aligning your Defenses to Adversaries with ATT&CK

Use ATT&CK for Adversary Emulation and Red Teaming

Active Directory Configuration

Antivirus/Antimalware

Application Isolation and Sandboxing

Audit

Code Signing

Disable or Remove Feature or Program

Execution Prevention

Exploit Protection

Filter Network Traffic

Limit Access to Resource Over Network

Network Intrusion Prevention

Network Segmentation

Operating System Configuration

Password Policies

Privileged Account Management

Restrict Web-Based Content

SSL/TLS Inspection

Update SoftwareUser Account Control

User Account Management

User Training

Anti-virus

Authentication logs

Binary file metadata

Detonation chamber

DLL monitoring

DNS records

Email gateway

Environment variable

File monitoring

Host network interface

Loaded DLLs

Mail server

Malware reverse engineering

Netflow/Enclave netflow

Network intrusion detection system

Network protocol analysis

Packet capture

PowerShell logs

Process command-line parameters

Process monitoring

Process use of network

SSL/TLS inspection

System calls

Web proxy

Windows event logs

Windows Registry

WMI Objects

MITIGATIONS APT29 TECHNIQUES DATA SOURCES

Mitigate It! Detect It!

Accessibility Features (T1546.008)

Bypass User Access Control (T1548.002)

Domain Fronting (T1090.004)

Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203)

Malicious File (T1204.002)

Multi-hop Proxy (T1090.003)

Non-Application Layer Protocol (T1095)

Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027)

Pass the Ticket (T1550.003)

PowerShell (T1059.001)

Rundll32 (T1218.011)

Scheduled Task (T1053.005)

Shortcut Modification (T1547.009)

Software Packing (T1027.002)

Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001)

Spearphishing Link (T1566.002)

Windows Management Instrumentation (T1047)

Windows Management Instrumentation Event Subscription (T1546.003)

Accessibility Features (T1546.008)

Bypass User Access Control (T1548.002)

Domain Fronting (T1090.004)

Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203)

Malicious File (T1204.002)

Multi-hop Proxy (T1090.003)

Non-Application Layer Protocol (T1095)

Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027)

Pass the Ticket (T1550.003)

PowerShell (T1059.001)

Rundll32 (T1218.011)

Scheduled Task (T1053.005)

Shortcut Modification (T1547.009)

Software Packing (T1027.002)

Spearphishing Attachment (T1566.001)

Spearphishing Link (T1566.002)

Windows Management Instrumentation (T1047)

Windows Management Instrumentation Event Subscription (T1546.003)

MITRE ATT&CK®

Enterprise Frameworkattack.mitre.org

© 2020 MITRE. Matrix current as of October 2020

Initial Access9 techniques

Defense Evasion34 techniques

Execution10 techniques

Persistence18 techniques

Privilege Escalation12 techniques

Credential Access14 techniques

Discovery24 techniques

Lateral Movement9 techniques

Collection16 techniques

Command and Control16 techniques

Exfiltration9 techniques

Impact13 techniques

Modify Authentication Process System Service DiscoveryScheduled Task/Job

Direct Volume AccessRootkitObfuscated Files orInformation

Input CaptureOS Credential Dumping Application Window

DiscoverySystem NetworkConfiguration Discovery

Communication ThroughRemovable Media

System Owner/UserDiscoverySystem NetworkConnections Discovery

Exfiltration OverWeb Service

Use AlternateAuthentication Material

Permission GroupsDiscoveryFile and DirectoryDiscovery

Exploitation of RemoteServicesRemote Service SessionHijacking

Data from InformationRepositories

Peripheral DeviceDiscovery

Browser BookmarkDiscoveryVirtualization/SandboxEvasion

Brute ForceTwo-Factor AuthenticationInterception

Indicator Removal on HostExploitation for PrivilegeEscalation Modify Registry

Trusted Developer UtilitiesProxy ExecutionTraffic Signaling

Pre-OS Boot Network Share DiscoveryPassword Policy Discovery

Exfiltration Over OtherNetwork Medium

Exfiltration OverC2 ChannelExfiltration OverPhysical Medium

Scheduled TransferData Transfer Size Limits

Data from NetworkShared Drive

Non-Application LayerProtocol

Data from CloudStorage Object

Man-in-the-MiddleArchive Collected Data

Protocol TunnelingEncrypted Channel

Compromise ClientSoftware BinaryImplant Container Image

Rogue Domain Controller

Signed Script ProxyExecution

BITS JobsXSL Script ProcessingTemplate Injection

Impair DefensesHide ArtifactsMasquerading

Pre-OS BootSubvert Trust Controls

Indirect CommandExecution

Forced Authentication

Steal or Forge KerberosTickets

Man-in-the-Middle

Steal Application AccessToken

File and DirectoryPermissions ModificationVirtualization/SandboxEvasionUnused/UnsupportedCloud RegionsUse AlternateAuthentication Material

Deobfuscate/Decode Filesor InformationSigned Binary ProxyExecution

Execution GuardrailsModify Cloud ComputeInfrastructure

Exploitation for DefenseEvasion

Valid Accounts Network SniffingWindows ManagementInstrumentation

Valid AccountsReplication ThroughRemovable Media

Software DeploymentTools

Exploitation for ClientExecution

Exploitation for CredentialAccess

Hijack Execution Flow

Process InjectionAccess Token ManipulationGroup Policy Modification

Lateral Tool TransferTaint Shared Content

Abuse Elevation Control MechanismCredentials fromPassword Stores

Transfer Data toCloud Account

Exfiltration OverAlternative Protocol

Steal Web Session CookieUnsecured Credentials

Account ManipulationExternal Remote ServicesOffice Application StartupSystem Services

Command and ScriptingInterpreter

Create Account

PhishingExternal Remote ServicesDrive-by Compromise

Has sub-techniques

Browser ExtensionsTraffic SignalingNative APIBITS Jobs Non-Standard PortInter-Process

Communication Server SoftwareComponent

Boot or Logon Initialization ScriptsCreate or Modify System Process

Event Triggered Execution

Trusted RelationshipSupply Chain CompromiseHardware Additions

Boot or Logon Autostart ExecutionClipboard DataAutomated CollectionAudio CaptureVideo CaptureMan in the Browser

Email Collection

Dynamic Resolution

Multi-Stage ChannelsIngress Tool TransferData EncodingTraffic Signaling Automated ExfiltrationRemote Access Software

Web ServiceShared Modules

Remote ServicesSoftware DeploymentTools

Data from Local System

Application Layer ProtocolFallback ChannelsData Obfuscation

Data from RemovableMedia

Replication ThroughRemovable MediaInternal Spearphishing

Input Capture ProxyData StagedScreen Capture

Network Denial of ServiceEndpoint Denial of ServiceSystem Shutdown/RebootAccount Access RemovalDisk Wipe

Resource Hijacking

Data Manipulation

Service StopData Encrypted for ImpactData Destruction

Inhibit System RecoveryDefacementFirmware Corruption

User ExecutionExploit Public-FacingApplication

Cloud Service DashboardSoftware DiscoveryQuery RegistryRemote System Discovery

System InformationDiscoveryAccount DiscoverySystem Time DiscoveryDomain Trust DiscoveryCloud Service Discovery

Network Service ScanningProcess Discovery