Adversaries may smuggle commands to download malicious payloads past content filters by hiding them within otherwise seemingly benign windows shortcut files. Windows shortcut files (.LNK) include many metadata fields, including an icon location field (also known as the IconEnvironmentDataBlock) designed to specify the path to an icon file that is to be displayed for the LNK file within a host directory.
Adversaries may abuse this LNK metadata to download malicious payloads. For example, adversaries have been observed using LNK files as phishing payloads to deliver malware. Once invoked (e.g., Malicious File), payloads referenced via external URLs within the LNK icon location field may be downloaded. These files may also then be invoked by Command and Scripting Interpreter/System Binary Proxy Execution arguments within the target path field of the LNK.(Citation: Unprotect Shortcut)(Citation: Booby Trap Shortcut 2017)
LNK Icon Smuggling may also be utilized post compromise, such as malicious scripts executing an LNK on an infected host to download additional malicious payloads.
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE.AE-02.01 | Event analysis and detection | Mitigates | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
Comments
This diagnostic statement provides for implementation of methods to block similar future attacks via security tools such as antivirus and IDS/IPS to provide protection against threats and exploitation attempts.
References
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| PR.IR-01.08 | End-user device access | Mitigates | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
Comments
This diagnostic statement implements technical controls (e.g., VPN, antivirus software) to address the risks of end-user personal computing devices accessing the organization’s network and resources.
References
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| PR.PS-01.01 | Configuration baselines | Mitigates | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
Comments
This diagnostic statement provides for securely configuring production systems. This includes hardening default configurations and making security-focused setting adjustments to reduce the attack surface, enforce best practices, and protect sensitive data thereby mitigating adversary exploitation.
References
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| PR.PS-01.08 | End-user device protection | Mitigates | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
Comments
This diagnostic statement provides protections for endpoints from obfuscated files or information through configuration requirements, connection requirements, and other mechanisms to protect network, application, and data integrity.
References
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| PR.PS-01.08 | End-user device protection | Mitigates | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
Comments
This diagnostic statement protects against LNK Icon Smuggling through the use of limiting access to resources to only authorized devices, management of personal computing devices, network intrusion prevention, and the use of antimalware.
References
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| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SI-03 | Malicious Code Protection | mitigates | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling | |
| SI-04 | System Monitoring | mitigates | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| action.hacking.variety.Abuse of functionality | Abuse of functionality. | related-to | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling | |
| action.hacking.variety.Evade Defenses | Modification of the action (rather than the system, as in 'Disable controls') to avoid detection. | related-to | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| microsoft_antimalware_for_azure | Microsoft Antimalware for Azure | technique_scores | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
Comments
This control can protect against LNK icon smuggling.
References
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| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cloud_ids | Cloud IDS | technique_scores | T1027.012 | LNK Icon Smuggling |
Comments
Google Cloud IDS can detect network-based threats like malicious software.
References
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