Adversaries may communicate using OSI application layer protocols to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server.
Adversaries may utilize many different protocols, including those used for web browsing, transferring files, electronic mail, DNS, or publishing/subscribing. For connections that occur internally within an enclave (such as those between a proxy or pivot node and other nodes), commonly used protocols are SMB, SSH, or RDP.(Citation: Mandiant APT29 Eye Spy Email Nov 22)
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| action.hacking.variety.Other | Other | related-to | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| action.hacking.variety.Evade Defenses | Modification of the action (rather than the system, as in 'Disable controls') to avoid detection. | related-to | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| action.hacking.vector.Other network service | Network service that is not remote access or a web application. | related-to | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol | |
| action.malware.variety.C2 | Malware creates Command and Control capability for malware. Child of 'Backdoor or C2'. | related-to | T1071 | Application Layer Protocol |
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Number of Mappings |
|---|---|---|
| T1071.004 | DNS | 1 |
| T1071.005 | Publish/Subscribe Protocols | 2 |
| T1071.003 | Mail Protocols | 1 |
| T1071.002 | File Transfer Protocols | 1 |
| T1071.001 | Web Protocols | 4 |