Adversaries may configure system settings to automatically execute a program during system boot or logon to maintain persistence or gain higher-level privileges on compromised systems. Operating systems may have mechanisms for automatically running a program on system boot or account logon.(Citation: Microsoft Run Key)(Citation: MSDN Authentication Packages)(Citation: Microsoft TimeProvider)(Citation: Cylance Reg Persistence Sept 2013)(Citation: Linux Kernel Programming) These mechanisms may include automatically executing programs that are placed in specially designated directories or are referenced by repositories that store configuration information, such as the Windows Registry. An adversary may achieve the same goal by modifying or extending features of the kernel.
Since some boot or logon autostart programs run with higher privileges, an adversary may leverage these to elevate privileges.
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| action.hacking.variety.Abuse of functionality | Abuse of functionality | related-to | T1547 | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution |
| action.hacking.vector.Backdoor or C2 | Backdoor or command and control channel | related-to | T1547 | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution |
| action.malware.variety.Backdoor | Backdoor (enable remote access). Child of 'RAT' when combined with 'Trojan' | related-to | T1547 | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution |
| attribute.integrity.variety.Modify configuration | Modified configuration or services | related-to | T1547 | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution |
| Technique ID | Technique Name | Number of Mappings |
|---|---|---|
| T1547.014 | Active Setup | 1 |
| T1547.002 | Authentication Package | 6 |
| T1547.006 | Kernel Modules and Extensions | 14 |
| T1547.008 | LSASS Driver | 8 |
| T1547.011 | Plist Modification | 13 |
| T1547.010 | Port Monitors | 1 |
| T1547.012 | Print Processors | 9 |
| T1547.007 | Re-opened Applications | 12 |
| T1547.001 | Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder | 1 |
| T1547.005 | Security Support Provider | 6 |
| T1547.009 | Shortcut Modification | 9 |
| T1547.003 | Time Providers | 11 |
| T1547.004 | Winlogon Helper DLL | 12 |
| T1547.013 | XDG Autostart Entries | 16 |