Adversaries may abuse authentication packages to execute DLLs when the system boots. Windows authentication package DLLs are loaded by the Local Security Authority (LSA) process at system start. They provide support for multiple logon processes and multiple security protocols to the operating system. (Citation: MSDN Authentication Packages)
Adversaries can use the autostart mechanism provided by LSA authentication packages for persistence by placing a reference to a binary in the Windows Registry location <code>HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\</code> with the key value of <code>"Authentication Packages"=<target binary></code>. The binary will then be executed by the system when the authentication packages are loaded.
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CM-6 | Configuration Settings | Protects | T1547.002 | Authentication Package |
| SC-39 | Process Isolation | Protects | T1547.002 | Authentication Package |
| SI-3 | Malicious Code Protection | Protects | T1547.002 | Authentication Package |
| SI-4 | System Monitoring | Protects | T1547.002 | Authentication Package |
| SI-7 | Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity | Protects | T1547.002 | Authentication Package |
| attribute.integrity.variety.Modify configuration | Modified configuration or services | related-to | T1547.002 | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Authentication Package |