T1055.005 Thread Local Storage

Adversaries may inject malicious code into processes via thread local storage (TLS) callbacks in order to evade process-based defenses as well as possibly elevate privileges. TLS callback injection is a method of executing arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process.

TLS callback injection involves manipulating pointers inside a portable executable (PE) to redirect a process to malicious code before reaching the code's legitimate entry point. TLS callbacks are normally used by the OS to setup and/or cleanup data used by threads. Manipulating TLS callbacks may be performed by allocating and writing to specific offsets within a process’ memory space using other Process Injection techniques such as Process Hollowing.(Citation: FireEye TLS Nov 2017)

Running code in the context of another process may allow access to the process's memory, system/network resources, and possibly elevated privileges. Execution via TLS callback injection may also evade detection from security products since the execution is masked under a legitimate process.

View in MITRE ATT&CK®

CRI Profile Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
PR.PS-05.02 Mobile code prevention Mitigates T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
Comments
Mobile code procedures address specific actions taken to prevent the development, acquisition, and introduction of unacceptable mobile code within organizational systems, including requiring mobile code to be digitally signed by a trusted source.
References

    NIST 800-53 Mappings

    Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
    SC-18 Mobile Code mitigates T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
    SI-02 Flaw Remediation mitigates T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
    SI-03 Malicious Code Protection mitigates T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
    SI-04 System Monitoring mitigates T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
    AC-06 Least Privilege mitigates T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
    SC-07 Boundary Protection mitigates T1055.005 Thread Local Storage

    Azure Mappings

    Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
    alerts_for_windows_machines Alerts for Windows Machines technique_scores T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
    Comments
    Injection attacks are specifically cited as a detection focus for Fileless Attack Detection, which is part of this control, with even more specific references to Process Hollowing, executable image injection, and threads started in a dynamically allocated code segment. Detection is periodic at an unknown rate. The following alerts may be generated: "Fileless attack technique detected", "Fileless attack behavior detected", "Fileless attack toolkit detected", "Suspicious SVCHOST process executed".
    References
    defender_for_app_service Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Defender for App Service technique_scores T1055.005 Thread Local Storage
    Comments
    Injection attacks are specifically cited as a detection focus for Fileless Attack Detection, which is part of this control, with even more specific references to Process Hollowing, executable image injection, and threads started in a dynamically allocated code segment. Detection is periodic at an unknown rate.
    References