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T1056.004 Credential API Hooking Mappings

Adversaries may hook into Windows application programming interface (API) functions to collect user credentials. Malicious hooking mechanisms may capture API calls that include parameters that reveal user authentication credentials.(Citation: Microsoft TrojanSpy:Win32/Ursnif.gen!I Sept 2017) Unlike Keylogging, this technique focuses specifically on API functions that include parameters that reveal user credentials. Hooking involves redirecting calls to these functions and can be implemented via:

  • Hooks procedures, which intercept and execute designated code in response to events such as messages, keystrokes, and mouse inputs.(Citation: Microsoft Hook Overview)(Citation: Elastic Process Injection July 2017)
  • Import address table (IAT) hooking, which use modifications to a process’s IAT, where pointers to imported API functions are stored.(Citation: Elastic Process Injection July 2017)(Citation: Adlice Software IAT Hooks Oct 2014)(Citation: MWRInfoSecurity Dynamic Hooking 2015)
  • Inline hooking, which overwrites the first bytes in an API function to redirect code flow.(Citation: Elastic Process Injection July 2017)(Citation: HighTech Bridge Inline Hooking Sept 2011)(Citation: MWRInfoSecurity Dynamic Hooking 2015)
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Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name
action.malware.variety.Capture app data Capture data from application or system process related-to T1056.004 Input Capture: Credential API Hooking
action.malware.variety.Password dumper Password dumper (extract credential hashes) related-to T1056.004 Input Capture: Credential API Hooking
action.malware.variety.Spyware/Keylogger Spyware, keylogger or form-grabber (capture user input or activity) related-to T1056.004 Input Capture: Credential API Hooking