T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness Mappings

Adversaries may execute their own malicious payloads by hijacking the binaries used by an installer. These processes may automatically execute specific binaries as part of their functionality or to perform other actions. If the permissions on the file system directory containing a target binary, or permissions on the binary itself, are improperly set, then the target binary may be overwritten with another binary using user-level permissions and executed by the original process. If the original process and thread are running under a higher permissions level, then the replaced binary will also execute under higher-level permissions, which could include SYSTEM.

Another variation of this technique can be performed by taking advantage of a weakness that is common in executable, self-extracting installers. During the installation process, it is common for installers to use a subdirectory within the <code>%TEMP%</code> directory to unpack binaries such as DLLs, EXEs, or other payloads. When installers create subdirectories and files they often do not set appropriate permissions to restrict write access, which allows for execution of untrusted code placed in the subdirectories or overwriting of binaries used in the installation process. This behavior is related to and may take advantage of DLL Search Order Hijacking.

Adversaries may use this technique to replace legitimate binaries with malicious ones as a means of executing code at a higher permissions level. Some installers may also require elevated privileges that will result in privilege escalation when executing adversary controlled code. This behavior is related to Bypass User Account Control. Several examples of this weakness in existing common installers have been reported to software vendors.(Citation: mozilla_sec_adv_2012) (Citation: Executable Installers are Vulnerable) If the executing process is set to run at a specific time or during a certain event (e.g., system bootup) then this technique can also be used for persistence.

View in MITRE ATT&CK®

Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name
AC-2 Account Management Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
AC-3 Access Enforcement Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
AC-5 Separation of Duties Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
AC-6 Least Privilege Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
CA-8 Penetration Testing Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
CM-2 Baseline Configuration Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
CM-5 Access Restrictions for Change Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
CM-6 Configuration Settings Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
IA-2 Identification and Authentication (organizational Users) Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
SI-4 System Monitoring Protects T1574.005 Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
action.hacking.variety.Exploit misconfig Exploit a misconfiguration (vs vuln or weakness) related-to T1574.005 Hijack Execution Flow: Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
action.hacking.variety.Unknown Unknown related-to T1574.005 Hijack Execution Flow: Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness