T1546.008

Event Triggered Execution: Accessibility Features

Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by accessibility features. Windows contains accessibility features that may be launched with a key combination before a user has logged in (ex: when the user is on the Windows logon screen). An adversary can modify the way these programs are launched to get a command prompt or backdoor without logging in to the system.

攻撃者は、アクセシビリティ機能によって起動される悪意のあるコンテンツを実行することで、永続性を確立したり、特権を昇格させたりすることができます。Windowsには、ユーザーがログインする前にキーの組み合わせで起動できるアクセシビリティ機能があります(例:ユーザーがWindowsのログオン画面にいるとき)。攻撃者は、これらのプログラムの起動方法を変更し、システムにログインすることなくコマンドプロンプトやバックドアを取得することができます。

Two common accessibility programs are C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe, launched when the shift key is pressed five times and C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe, launched when the Windows + U key combination is pressed. The sethc.exe program is often referred to as "sticky keys", and has been used by adversaries for unauthenticated access through a remote desktop login screen. [1]

2つの一般的なアクセシビリティプログラムは、Shiftキーを5回押すと起動する C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exeと、Windows + Uキーの組み合わせで起動する C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exeです。sethc.exeプログラムは、多くの場合「スティッキーキー」と呼ばれ、リモートデスクトップログイン画面を介した認証されていないアクセスを行うために、攻撃者によって使用されています。

Depending on the version of Windows, an adversary may take advantage of these features in different ways. Common methods used by adversaries include replacing accessibility feature binaries or pointers/references to these binaries in the Registry. In newer versions of Windows, the replaced binary needs to be digitally signed for x64 systems, the binary must reside in %systemdir%\, and it must be protected by Windows File or Resource Protection (WFP/WRP). [2] The Image File Execution Options Injection debugger method was likely discovered as a potential workaround because it does not require the corresponding accessibility feature binary to be replaced.

Windowsのバージョンによって、攻撃者はさまざまな方法でこれらの機能を利用することができます。攻撃者が使用する一般的な方法は、レジストリ内のアクセシビリティ機能バイナリまたはこれらのバイナリへのポインター/参照を置き換えることです。Windowsの新しいバージョンでは、置き換えられたバイナリは、x64システム用にデジタル署名されている必要があり、バイナリは%systemdir%に存在する必要があり、Windows File or Resource Protection (WFP/WRP) によって保護されている必要があります。[Image File Execution Options Injection デバッガの方法は、対応するアクセシビリティ機能のバイナリを置き換える必要がないため、回避策として発見された可能性があります。

For simple binary replacement on Windows XP and later as well as and Windows Server 2003/R2 and later, for example, the program (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe) may be replaced with "cmd.exe" (or another program that provides backdoor access). Subsequently, pressing the appropriate key combination at the login screen while sitting at the keyboard or when connected over Remote Desktop Protocol will cause the replaced file to be executed with SYSTEM privileges. [3]

Windows XP以降やWindows Server 2003/R2以降における単純なバイナリ置換の場合、例えば、プログラム(例:C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe)を「cmd.exe」(またはバックドアアクセスを提供する他のプログラム)に置き換えることができます。その後、キーボードに向かっているときやRemote Desktop Protocolで接続しているときに、ログイン画面で適切なキーの組み合わせを押すことにより、置き換えられたファイルがSYSTEM権限で実行されるようになります。

Other accessibility features exist that may also be leveraged in a similar fashion: [2][4]

  • On-Screen Keyboard: C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe
  • Magnifier: C:\Windows\System32\Magnify.exe
  • Narrator: C:\Windows\System32\Narrator.exe
  • Display Switcher: C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe
  • App Switcher: C:\Windows\System32\AtBroker.exe
ID: T1546.008
Sub-technique of:  T1546
Platforms: Windows
Permissions Required: Administrator
Effective Permissions: SYSTEM
CAPEC ID: CAPEC-558
Contributors: Paul Speulstra, AECOM Global Security Operations Center
Version: 1.0
Created: 24 January 2020
Last Modified: 13 May 2020

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
G0016 APT29

APT29 used sticky-keys to obtain unauthenticated, privileged console access.[5][6]

G0022 APT3

APT3 replaces the Sticky Keys binary C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe for persistence.[7]

G0096 APT41

APT41 leveraged sticky keys to establish persistence.[8]

G0001 Axiom

Axiom actors have been known to use the Sticky Keys replacement within RDP sessions to obtain persistence.[9]

G0009 Deep Panda

Deep Panda has used the sticky-keys technique to bypass the RDP login screen on remote systems during intrusions.[10]

S0363 Empire

Empire can leverage WMI debugging to remotely replace binaries like sethc.exe, Utilman.exe, and Magnify.exe with cmd.exe.[11]

G0117 Fox Kitten

Fox Kitten has used sticky keys to launch a command prompt.[12]

Mitigations

ID Mitigation Description
M1038 Execution Prevention

Adversaries can replace accessibility features binaries with alternate binaries to execute this technique. Identify and block potentially malicious software executed through accessibility features functionality by using application control [13] tools, like Windows Defender Application Control[14], AppLocker, [15] [16] or Software Restriction Policies [17] where appropriate. [18]

M1035 Limit Access to Resource Over Network

If possible, use a Remote Desktop Gateway to manage connections and security configuration of RDP within a network.[19]

M1028 Operating System Configuration

To use this technique remotely, an adversary must use it in conjunction with RDP. Ensure that Network Level Authentication is enabled to force the remote desktop session to authenticate before the session is created and the login screen displayed. It is enabled by default on Windows Vista and later.[20]

Detection

ID Data Source Data Component Detects
DS0017 Command Command Execution

Monitor executed commands and arguments that may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by accessibility features. Command line invocation of tools capable of modifying the Registry for associated keys are also suspicious. Utility arguments and the binaries themselves should be monitored for changes.

DS0022 File File Creation

Monitor newly constructed files that may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by accessibility features.

    File Modification

Monitor for changes made to files that may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by accessibility features. Changes to accessibility utility binaries or binary paths that do not correlate with known software, patch cycles, etc., are suspicious.

DS0009 Process Process Creation

Monitor newly executed processes that may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by accessibility features.

DS0024 Windows Registry Windows Registry Key Modification

Monitor Registry keys within HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options.

References