T1566 Phishing Mappings

Windows Hello ESS authentication leverages virtual sandbox(Intel VT-X) to protect authentication data to significantly reduce the risk of brute force attacks on passwords, as biometrics typically require physical presence or biometric data that cannot be easily guessed or replicated. It uses the TPM (Intel PTT) to store authentication data including public/private key pairs. Windows Hello also includes Passkeys, a passwordless authentication option that generates public/private key pair with the public key shared with the service requiring authentication and the private key stored in the TPM, which is only released after authentication locally on the device using either a biometric factor such as fingerprint, facial recognition, or a PIN. Windows Hello helps protect against the risk of credentials being stored in files by eliminating the need for passwords in many authentication scenarios. Passkeys are not phishable like traditional passwords. When using Windows Hello, users authenticate with biometrics (face, fingerprint) or a PIN, which are not transmitted over the network and cannot be intercepted by phishing attacks. Windows Hello generates a unique key pair for each relying party (e.g., websites, services). This means even if one key is compromised, it cannot be used to access other services. Phishing techniques are more related to social engineering and still may be possible, hence marked as Partial.

This vulnerability is exploited by an attacker who has obtained administrative console access on the target system. The vulnerability lies in the Win32k driver, specifically in the NtGdiResetDC function, due to improper handling of user-mode callbacks. This vulnerability has been exploited by threat actors to gain elevated privileges on Windows servers. Attackers leveraged this flaw to execute arbitrary kernel commands, allowing them to manipulate system processes and deploy additional malware to perform further malicious activities. The exploit in question is actively being used in the wild, primarily in espionage campaigns. It involves triggering a use-after-free condition by executing the ResetDC function a second time for the same handle during a callback. Once the vulnerability is exploited, attackers can manipulate memory to perform arbitrary kernel function calls with controlled parameters. This allows them to achieve their objectives, such as reading and writing kernel memory, with the same permissions as the compromised system's user.

This vulnerability is exploited when a user is tricked by an adversary to open a maliciously crafted file either via an email or malicious website. Once the user opens the file, an adversary gains the ability to execute arbitrary code the next time the victim restarts their computer and logs in.

This remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Office has been exploited by adversarial groups to distribute ransomware. Attackers use specially crafted Microsoft Office documents to bypass security features, enabling remote code execution without user prompts. These documents are typically delivered through phishing techniques, enticing victims to open them. Once opened, the ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom for decryption, while also removing system backups and leaving a ransom note threatening data loss if recovery is attempted without the provided decryptor key. The ransomware further erases system logs and may publish stolen data on leak websites, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential installation of backdoors for further exploitation. Microsoft addressed this vulnerability in their security updates by introducing measures to make file paths unpredictable, thereby mitigating the exploit chain. Despite these updates, additional vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office and Windows were identified. Security solutions offer protection against these exploits, and findings are shared with cybersecurity alliances to enhance collective defense efforts. This vulnerability has been exploited by the Russian group Storm-0978, also known as RomCom, who craft specially designed Microsoft Office documents related to the Ukrainian World Congress. These documents bypass Microsoft's Mark-of-the-Web (MotW) security feature, enabling remote code execution without security prompts. The adversary used phishing techniques to deliver these documents, enticing victims to open them. Once opened, the ransomware, known as Underground, executes, encrypting files and demanding a ransom for decryption. The ransomware further removes shadow copies, terminates MS SQL Server services, and leaves a ransom note threatening data loss if recovery is attempted without their decryptor key. It also erases Windows Event logs and publishes stolen victim data on a data leak website, causing unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential installation of backdoors for further exploitation.

This vulnerability is exploited by a remote adversary who entices a user with an affected version of Windows to access a malicious server. The adversary hosts a specially crafted server share or website and convinces the user to visit it, typically through an email or chat message. The adversary then crafts a malicious Microsoft Office document that embeds a remote RTF template, which fetches HTML content rendered by Internet Explorer's JScript engine. This stealthy attack vector does not require Internet Explorer as the default browser. Once the victim opens the document and disables protected view, the adversary executes arbitrary code by triggering a type confusion error in the JScript engine. This allows the adversary to deliver malicious payloads, conduct reconnaissance, and exfiltrate data, while erasing traces of the exploit by clearing the browser cache and history. The impact on the victim includes unauthorized access to sensitive information and the potential installation of backdoors for further exploitation.