T1556.004: Network Device Authentication
| View on MITRE ATT&CK | T1556.004 |
|---|---|
| Tactic(s) | Defense Evasion, Persistence, Credential Access |
Data from MITRE ATT&CK®:
Adversaries may use Patch System Image to hard code a password in the operating system, thus bypassing of native authentication mechanisms for local accounts on network devices.
Modify System Image may include implanted code to the operating system for network devices to provide access for adversaries using a specific password. The modification includes a specific password which is implanted in the operating system image via the patch. Upon authentication attempts, the inserted code will first check to see if the user input is the password. If so, access is granted. Otherwise, the implanted code will pass the credentials on for verification of potentially valid credentials.(Citation: Mandiant - Synful Knock)
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Cyber Threat Graph Context
Explore how this ATT&CK Technique relates to the wider threat graph
Reporting on this Technique
Suspected APT Actors Leverage Authentication Bypass Techniques and Pulse Secure Zero-Day
Reporting from Mandiant which discusses the exploitation of Pulse Secure VPN devices in 2021 and 12 malware families associated with the campaign. ...
Mitigations for this technique
MITRE ATT&CK Mitigations
Privileged Account Management
Manage the creation, modification, use, and permissions associated to privileged accounts, including SYSTEM and root.Multi-factor Authentication
Use two or more pieces of evidence to authenticate to a system; such as username and password in addition to a token from a physical smart card or token generator.How to detect this technique
MITRE ATT&CK Data Components
SP800-53 Controls
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