T1021.001 Remote Desktop Protocol Mappings

Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to log into a computer using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). The adversary may then perform actions as the logged-on user.

Remote desktop is a common feature in operating systems. It allows a user to log into an interactive session with a system desktop graphical user interface on a remote system. Microsoft refers to its implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) as Remote Desktop Services (RDS).(Citation: TechNet Remote Desktop Services)

Adversaries may connect to a remote system over RDP/RDS to expand access if the service is enabled and allows access to accounts with known credentials. Adversaries will likely use Credential Access techniques to acquire credentials to use with RDP. Adversaries may also use RDP in conjunction with the Accessibility Features or Terminal Services DLL for Persistence.(Citation: Alperovitch Malware)

View in MITRE ATT&CK®

VERIS Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
action.hacking.variety.Use of stolen creds Use of stolen or default authentication credentials (including credential stuffing) related-to T1021.001 Remote Services: Remote Desktop Protocol
action.hacking.vector.Desktop sharing software Superset of 'Desktop sharing' and '3rd party desktop'. Please use in place of the other two related-to T1021.001 Remote Services: Remote Desktop Protocol

AWS Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
amazon_virtual_private_cloud Amazon Virtual Private Cloud technique_scores T1021.001 Remote Desktop Protocol
Comments
VPC security groups and network access control lists (NACLs) can be used to restrict direct access to remote services to trusted networks. This mitigates even an adversary with a valid account from accessing resources. This can be circumvented though if an adversary is able to compromise a trusted host and move laterally to a protected network. This results in an overall partial (coverage) score.
References
    aws_network_firewall AWS Network Firewall technique_scores T1021.001 Remote Desktop Protocol
    Comments
    AWS Network Firewall has the ability to pass, drop, or alert on traffic based on the network protocol as well as perform deep packet inspection on the payload. This functionality can be used to only allow remote services from trusted hosts (i.e., only allow remote access traffic from certain hosts). This mapping is given a score of Partial because even though it can restrict remote services traffic from untrusted hosts, it cannot protect against an adversary using a trusted host that is permitted to use remote services as part of an attack.
    References