Adversaries may communicate using OSI application layer protocols to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server.
Adversaries may utilize many different protocols, including those used for web browsing, transferring files, electronic mail, or DNS. For connections that occur internally within an enclave (such as those between a proxy or pivot node and other nodes), commonly used protocols are SMB, SSH, or RDP.
View in MITRE ATT&CK®Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC-04 | Information Flow Enforcement | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| CA-07 | Continuous Monitoring | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| CM-02 | Baseline Configuration | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| CM-06 | Configuration Settings | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| CM-07 | Least Functionality | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| SC-10 | Network Disconnect | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| SC-20 | Secure Name/address Resolution Service (authoritative Source) | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| SC-21 | Secure Name/address Resolution Service (recursive or Caching Resolver) | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| SC-22 | Architecture and Provisioning for Name/address Resolution Service | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| SC-23 | Session Authenticity | Protects | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol |
Technique ID | Technique Name | Number of Mappings |
|---|---|---|
| T1071.004 | DNS | 18 |
| T1071.003 | Mail Protocols | 15 |
| T1071.002 | File Transfer Protocols | 15 |
| T1071.001 | Web Protocols | 15 |