Adversaries may inject malicious code into processes via VDSO hijacking in order to evade process-based defenses as well as possibly elevate privileges. Virtual dynamic shared object (vdso) hijacking is a method of executing arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process.
VDSO hijacking involves redirecting calls to dynamically linked shared libraries. Memory protections may prevent writing executable code to a process via Ptrace System Calls. However, an adversary may hijack the syscall interface code stubs mapped into a process from the vdso shared object to execute syscalls to open and map a malicious shared object. This code can then be invoked by redirecting the execution flow of the process via patched memory address references stored in a process' global offset table (which store absolute addresses of mapped library functions).(Citation: ELF Injection May 2009)(Citation: Backtrace VDSO)(Citation: VDSO Aug 2005)(Citation: Syscall 2014)
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 VDSO hijacking may also evade detection from security products since the execution is masked under a legitimate process.
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR.PS-05.02 | Mobile code prevention | Mitigates | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking |
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
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| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC-18 | Mobile Code | mitigates | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking | |
| SI-02 | Flaw Remediation | mitigates | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking | |
| SI-03 | Malicious Code Protection | mitigates | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking | |
| SI-04 | System Monitoring | mitigates | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking | |
| AC-06 | Least Privilege | mitigates | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking | |
| SC-07 | Boundary Protection | mitigates | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking |
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| action.malware.variety.C2 | Malware creates Command and Control capability for malware. Child of 'Backdoor or C2'. | related-to | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking |
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| defender_for_app_service | Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Defender for App Service | technique_scores | T1055.014 | VDSO Hijacking |
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
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