Adversaries may use an internal proxy to direct command and control traffic between two or more systems in a compromised environment. Many tools exist that enable traffic redirection through proxies or port redirection, including HTRAN, ZXProxy, and ZXPortMap. (Citation: Trend Micro APT Attack Tools) Adversaries use internal proxies to manage command and control communications inside a compromised environment, to reduce the number of simultaneous outbound network connections, to provide resiliency in the face of connection loss, or to ride over existing trusted communications paths between infected systems to avoid suspicion. Internal proxy connections may use common peer-to-peer (p2p) networking protocols, such as SMB, to better blend in with the environment.
By using a compromised internal system as a proxy, adversaries may conceal the true destination of C2 traffic while reducing the need for numerous connections to external systems.
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 | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
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.
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| DE.CM-01.01 | Intrusion detection and prevention | Mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
Comments
This diagnostic statement protects adversaries from infiltrating internal proxies and taking over control of traffic between systems. Network intrusion detection and prevention systems that use network signatures to identify traffic for specific adversary malware can be used to mitigate activity at the network level.
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| PR.IR-01.03 | Network communications integrity and availability | Mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
Comments
This diagnostic statement protects against Internal Proxy through the use of secure network configurations, architecture, implementations of zero trust architecture, and segmentation.
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| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA-07 | Continuous Monitoring | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy | |
| CM-06 | Configuration Settings | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy | |
| SI-03 | Malicious Code Protection | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy | |
| CM-02 | Baseline Configuration | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy | |
| CM-07 | Least Functionality | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy | |
| SI-04 | System Monitoring | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy | |
| AC-04 | Information Flow Enforcement | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy | |
| SC-07 | Boundary Protection | mitigates | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| azure_network_security_groups | Azure Network Security Groups | technique_scores | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
Comments
This control can restrict access between systems, enclaves, and workloads thereby mitigating these proxy related sub-techniques.
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| azure_network_watcher_traffic_analytics | Azure Network Watcher: Traffic Analytics | technique_scores | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
Comments
This control can detect abuse of internal proxies.
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| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| amazon_guardduty | Amazon GuardDuty | technique_scores | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
Comments
The UnauthorizedAccess:EC2/TorClient GuardDuty finding type flags events where adversaries may use a connection proxy to direct network traffic between systems or act as an intermediary for network communications to a command-and-control server to avoid direct connections to their infrastructure.
Due to the detection being limited to a specific type of proxy, Tor, its coverage is Minimal resulting in a Minimal score.
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| amazon_virtual_private_cloud | Amazon Virtual Private Cloud | technique_scores | T1090.001 | Internal Proxy |
Comments
VPC security groups and network access control lists (NACLs) can restrict access between systems, enclaves, and workloads thereby mitigating these proxy related sub-techniques.
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