T1046 Network Service Discovery

Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of services running on remote hosts and local network infrastructure devices, including those that may be vulnerable to remote software exploitation. Common methods to acquire this information include port, vulnerability, and/or wordlist scans using tools that are brought onto a system.(Citation: CISA AR21-126A FIVEHANDS May 2021)

Within cloud environments, adversaries may attempt to discover services running on other cloud hosts. Additionally, if the cloud environment is connected to a on-premises environment, adversaries may be able to identify services running on non-cloud systems as well.

Within macOS environments, adversaries may use the native Bonjour application to discover services running on other macOS hosts within a network. The Bonjour mDNSResponder daemon automatically registers and advertises a host’s registered services on the network. For example, adversaries can use a mDNS query (such as <code>dns-sd -B _ssh._tcp .</code>) to find other systems broadcasting the ssh service.(Citation: apple doco bonjour description)(Citation: macOS APT Activity Bradley)

View in MITRE ATT&CK®

VERIS Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
action.hacking.variety.Scan network Enumerating the state of the network related-to T1046 Network Service Discovery
action.malware.variety.Scan network Enumerating the state of the network related-to T1046 Network Service Discovery

GCP Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
cloud_armor Cloud Armor technique_scores T1046 Network Service Discovery
Comments
Cloud Armor filters external network traffic and therefore can be effective for preventing external network service scanning. Network service scanning originating from inside the trusted network is not mitigated.
References
cloud_ngfw Cloud Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)_ technique_scores T1046 Network Service Discovery
Comments
Cloud NGFW can allow or deny traffic based on the traffic's protocol, destination ports, sources, and destinations. This functionality can be used to restrict access to the endpoints within the virtual private cloud and protect against network service scanning. This mapping is given a score of Partial because it only protects against network service scanning attacks that originate from outside the firewall and not from within network protected by the firewall.
References
vpc_service_controls VPC Service Controls technique_scores T1046 Network Service Discovery
Comments
VPC security perimeters can limit the impact from active scanning and lateral movement techniques used to exploit the target environment.
References