T1547 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution Mappings

Credential Guard uses Intel VT-x for providing Virtualization-based security (VBS), to isolate secrets so that only privileged system software can access them. It isolates LSA-related processes and provides real-time protection against in-memory credential-stealing attempts. NTLM, Kerberos, and Credential Manager take advantage of platform security features, including Secure Boot (Intel PTT and Intel Boot Guard) and virtualization, to protect credentials. Credential Guard prevents credential theft attacks by protecting NTLM password hashes, Kerberos Ticket Granting Tickets (TGTs), and credentials stored by applications such as domain credentials. However, it does not protect against all forms of credential dumping, such as registry dumping. Credential Guard benefits from enabling Secure Boot (BootGuard) and UEFI Lock. When Secure Boot is enabled, a secure and verified environment is established from the start of the boot process. With UEFI Lock, Credential Guard settings are stored in UEFI firmware, significantly increasing the difficulty of disabling Credential Guard through registry changes. This is marked as significant since it uses VBS to isolate LSA related processes and provide real-time protection against in-memory credential stealing attempts.

Memory integrity is a Virtualization-based security feature that protects and hardens Windows by running kernel mode code integrity within the isolated virtual environment of VBS (VBS uses Intel VT-x). Memory integrity also restricts kernel memory allocations that could be used to compromise the system. Memory integrity is sometimes referred to as hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI). VBS provides an isolated environment that acts as a root-of-trust for the OS and its core components. It is enabled by Intel VT-x, VT-x2 with Extended Page Tables, SMMUs (Intel VT-d) and Secure Boot (Intel Boot Guard). Memory Integrity protects against behaviors that involve exploitation of kernel components including core drivers in memory, changing security configurations and running untrusted code (based on signatures). "HVCI protects modification of the Control Flow Guard (CFG) bitmap for kernel mode drivers. Protects the kernel mode code integrity process that ensures that other trusted kernel processes have a valid certificate." "Hypervisor-protected code integrity introduces a new rule that no kernel memory pages are both writeable and executable, which eliminates an entire category of attacks that dynamically generate code. Additionally, HVCI comes enabled with a code integrity security policy that blocks drivers known to be used in kernel tampering, including Mimikatz, the old vulnerable VBox driver, and the Capcom driver commonly used in rootkits. Ultimately, HVCI provides optimal protection for the kernel against tampering and escalation of privilege attacks. ... With HVCI enabled, attempts to modify the process structures will fail, preventing the protected process flag from being removed, which prevents process memory inspection or module injection into LSA."

Memory integrity is a Virtualization-based security feature that protects and hardens Windows by running kernel mode code integrity within the isolated virtual environment of VBS (VBS uses Intel VT-x). Memory integrity also restricts kernel memory allocations that could be used to compromise the system. Memory integrity is sometimes referred to as hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI). VBS provides an isolated environment that acts as a root-of-trust for the OS and its core components. It is enabled by Intel VT-x, VT-x2 with Extended Page Tables, SMMUs (Intel VT-d) and Secure Boot (Intel Boot Guard). Memory Integrity protects against behaviors that involve exploitation of kernel components including core drivers in memory, changing security configurations and running untrusted code (based on signatures). "HVCI protects modification of the Control Flow Guard (CFG) bitmap for kernel mode drivers. Protects the kernel mode code integrity process that ensures that other trusted kernel processes have a valid certificate." "Hypervisor-protected code integrity introduces a new rule that no kernel memory pages are both writeable and executable, which eliminates an entire category of attacks that dynamically generate code. Additionally, HVCI comes enabled with a code integrity security policy that blocks drivers known to be used in kernel tampering, including Mimikatz, the old vulnerable VBox driver, and the Capcom driver commonly used in rootkits. Ultimately, HVCI provides optimal protection for the kernel against tampering and escalation of privilege attacks. ... With HVCI enabled, attempts to modify the process structures will fail, preventing the protected process flag from being removed, which prevents process memory inspection or module injection into LSA."

Windows Kernel Data Protection uses VBS (Intel PTT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d, Intel VT-rp, and Intel BootGuard) to protect kernel data, kernel data structures, and OS drivers from tampering attacks. With KDP, software running in kernel-mode can protect read-only memory statically (a section of its own image) or dynamically (pool memory that can be initialized only once). KDP only establishes write protections in VTL1 for the GPAs backing a protected memory region using the SLAT page tables for the hypervisor to enforce. This way, no software running in the NT kernel (VTL0) can have the permissions needed to change the memory. The goal of using KDP is to protect internal policy state after it has been initialized (i.e., read from the registry or generated at boot time). These data structures are critical to protect as if they are tampered with a driver that is properly signed but vulnerable could attack the policy data structures and then install an unsigned driver on the system. With KDP, this attack is mitigated by ensuring the policy data structures cannot be tampered with. The score of significant highlights this real-time protection of the kernel data, data structures, and drivers from tampering attacks. HW Enforced stack protection (HWESP) relies on Virtualization Based Security (VBS) which use Intel PTT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d and Intel BootGuard to ensure the OS components loaded are not tampered with and isolate security sensitive processes. Additionally, it uses Intel Control Flow Enforcement Technology (Intel CET) to allow hardware to ensure that sensitive areas in the regions of memory (such as the stack) for processes are not tampered with by either injecting code or changing the control flow of the code or both. HWESP includes four components Code Integrity Guard, Arbitrary Code Guard, Control Flow Guard and Shadow Stack protections. Code Integrity Guard attempts to prevent "... arbitrary code generation by enforcing signature requirements for loading binaries". Arbitrary Code Guard attempts to ensure "... signed pages are immutable and dynamic code cannot be generated ...". Control Flow Guard ensures control flow integrity by enforcing "... integrity on indirect calls (forward-edge CFI)." Shadow Stack ensures control flow integrity by enforcing "... integrity on return addresses on the stack (backward-edge CFI)." Together these features aim to ensure integrity of binary images run on Windows 11 and prevent dynamic code from running or changing the control flow of the code. Since these features offer real-time protection for sensitive regions of memory, these are marked as offering significant protection. The Vulnerable Driver Blocklist uses Virtualization Based Security (VBS) Memory Integrity feature or HVCI, which in turn rely on Intel PTT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d and Intel BootGuard to create an isolated virtual environment for the kernel such that attacks from vulnerable drivers are prevented. It uses a deny list approach along with code signing checks to ensure vulnerable drivers are not modified and to prevent attacks against them. "... the vulnerable driver blocklist is also enforced when either memory integrity (also known as hypervisor-protected code integrity or HVCI), Smart App Control, or S mode is active." "The blocklist is updated with each new major release of Windows, typically 1-2 times per year..." "Memory integrity and virtualization-based security (VBS) improve the threat model of Windows and provide stronger protections against malware trying to exploit the Windows kernel. VBS uses the Windows hypervisor to create an isolated virtual environment that becomes the root of trust of the OS that assumes the kernel can be compromised. Memory integrity is a critical component that protects and hardens Windows by running kernel mode code integrity within the isolated virtual environment of VBS."

Windows Kernel Data Protection uses VBS (Intel PTT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d, Intel VT-rp, and Intel BootGuard) to protect kernel data, kernel data structures, and OS drivers from tampering attacks. With KDP, software running in kernel-mode can protect read-only memory statically (a section of its own image) or dynamically (pool memory that can be initialized only once). KDP only establishes write protections in VTL1 for the GPAs backing a protected memory region using the SLAT page tables for the hypervisor to enforce. This way, no software running in the NT kernel (VTL0) can have the permissions needed to change the memory. The goal of using KDP is to protect internal policy state after it has been initialized (i.e., read from the registry or generated at boot time). These data structures are critical to protect as if they are tampered with a driver that is properly signed but vulnerable could attack the policy data structures and then install an unsigned driver on the system. With KDP, this attack is mitigated by ensuring the policy data structures cannot be tampered with. The score of significant highlights this real-time protection of the kernel data, data structures, and drivers from tampering attacks. HW Enforced stack protection (HWESP) relies on Virtualization Based Security (VBS) which use Intel PTT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d and Intel BootGuard to ensure the OS components loaded are not tampered with and isolate security sensitive processes. Additionally, it uses Intel Control Flow Enforcement Technology (Intel CET) to allow hardware to ensure that sensitive areas in the regions of memory (such as the stack) for processes are not tampered with by either injecting code or changing the control flow of the code or both. HWESP includes four components Code Integrity Guard, Arbitrary Code Guard, Control Flow Guard and Shadow Stack protections. Code Integrity Guard attempts to prevent "... arbitrary code generation by enforcing signature requirements for loading binaries". Arbitrary Code Guard attempts to ensure "... signed pages are immutable and dynamic code cannot be generated ...". Control Flow Guard ensures control flow integrity by enforcing "... integrity on indirect calls (forward-edge CFI)." Shadow Stack ensures control flow integrity by enforcing "... integrity on return addresses on the stack (backward-edge CFI)." Together these features aim to ensure integrity of binary images run on Windows 11 and prevent dynamic code from running or changing the control flow of the code. Since these features offer real-time protection for sensitive regions of memory, these are marked as offering significant protection. The Vulnerable Driver Blocklist uses Virtualization Based Security (VBS) Memory Integrity feature or HVCI, which in turn rely on Intel PTT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d and Intel BootGuard to create an isolated virtual environment for the kernel such that attacks from vulnerable drivers are prevented. It uses a deny list approach along with code signing checks to ensure vulnerable drivers are not modified and to prevent attacks against them. "... the vulnerable driver blocklist is also enforced when either memory integrity (also known as hypervisor-protected code integrity or HVCI), Smart App Control, or S mode is active." "The blocklist is updated with each new major release of Windows, typically 1-2 times per year..." "Memory integrity and virtualization-based security (VBS) improve the threat model of Windows and provide stronger protections against malware trying to exploit the Windows kernel. VBS uses the Windows hypervisor to create an isolated virtual environment that becomes the root of trust of the OS that assumes the kernel can be compromised. Memory integrity is a critical component that protects and hardens Windows by running kernel mode code integrity within the isolated virtual environment of VBS."

Intel Threat Detection Technology (TDT), in conjunction with CrowdStrike Falcon Accelerated Memory Scanning (CAMS), strengthens cybersecurity defenses by enabling faster, real-time detection of boot or logon autostart attacks. This integrated solution enhances CrowdStrike Falcon, improving its ability to detect and mitigate cyber threats earlier in the kill chain, while minimizing system performance impact. Boot or logon autostart attacks involve adversaries adding malicious code to system startup or user logon processes, enabling malware to run automatically when the system is booted or when a user logs in. This technique is commonly used to maintain persistence and ensure that the malware is executed every time the system is restarted or a user session begins. Intel TDT plays a crucial role in identifying these threats by providing real-time telemetry on program execution, memory access, and control flow, enabling rapid detection of abnormal behaviors, such as unauthorized autostart processes that could indicate an attack or compromise. Additionally, CAMS offloads the memory scanning workload from the CPU to the Intel Integrated GPU, ensuring faster and more efficient detection of malicious activity without degrading system performance. CAMS helps identify suspicious behaviors, such as unauthorized modifications to boot or logon scripts, registry keys, or other autostart mechanisms used to execute malicious code during system startup or user login.

Intel Threat Detection Technology (TDT), in conjunction with CrowdStrike Falcon Accelerated Memory Scanning (CAMS), strengthens cybersecurity defenses by enabling faster, real-time detection of boot or logon autostart attacks. This integrated solution enhances CrowdStrike Falcon, improving its ability to detect and mitigate cyber threats earlier in the kill chain, while minimizing system performance impact. Boot or logon autostart attacks involve adversaries adding malicious code to system startup or user logon processes, enabling malware to run automatically when the system is booted or when a user logs in. This technique is commonly used to maintain persistence and ensure that the malware is executed every time the system is restarted or a user session begins. Intel TDT plays a crucial role in identifying these threats by providing real-time telemetry on program execution, memory access, and control flow, enabling rapid detection of abnormal behaviors, such as unauthorized autostart processes that could indicate an attack or compromise. Additionally, CAMS offloads the memory scanning workload from the CPU to the Intel Integrated GPU, ensuring faster and more efficient detection of malicious activity without degrading system performance. CAMS helps identify suspicious behaviors, such as unauthorized modifications to boot or logon scripts, registry keys, or other autostart mechanisms used to execute malicious code during system startup or user login.