Security Updates

Install security updates in response to discovered vulnerabilities.

Purchase devices with a vendor and/or mobile carrier commitment to provide security updates in a prompt manner for a set period of time.

Decommission devices that will no longer receive security updates.

Limit or block access to enterprise resources from devices that have not installed recent security updates.

On Android devices, access can be controlled based on each device's security patch level. On iOS devices, access can be controlled based on the iOS version.

ID: M1001
Version: 1.0
Created: 18 October 2019
Last Modified: 18 October 2019

Techniques Addressed by Mitigation

Domain ID Name Use
Mobile T1398 Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts

Security updates frequently contain fixes for vulnerabilities that could be leveraged to modify protected operating system files.

Mobile T1577 Compromise Application Executable

Security updates frequently contain patches to vulnerabilities.

Mobile T1645 Compromise Client Software Binary

Security updates frequently contain fixes for vulnerabilities that could be leveraged to modify protected operating system files.

Mobile T1634 Credentials from Password Store

Apple regularly provides security updates for known OS vulnerabilities.

.001 Keychain

Apple regularly provides security updates for known OS vulnerabilities.

Mobile T1456 Drive-By Compromise

Security updates frequently contain patches for known exploits.

Mobile T1658 Exploitation for Client Execution

Security updates frequently contain patches to vulnerabilities.

Mobile T1404 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Security updates often contain patches for vulnerabilities.

Mobile T1629 Impair Defenses

Security updates often contain patches for vulnerabilities that could be exploited for root access. Root access is often a requirement to impairing defenses.

.003 Disable or Modify Tools

Security updates frequently contain patches to vulnerabilities that can be exploited for root access.

Mobile T1630 Indicator Removal on Host

Security updates typically provide patches for vulnerabilities that could be abused by malicious applications.

.001 Uninstall Malicious Application

Security updates typically provide patches for vulnerabilities that enable device rooting.

Mobile T1461 Lockscreen Bypass

OS security updates typically contain exploit patches when disclosed.

Mobile T1458 Replication Through Removable Media

Security updates often contain patches for vulnerabilities.

Mobile T1474 Supply Chain Compromise

Security updates may contain patches for devices that were compromised at the supply chain level.

.002 Compromise Hardware Supply Chain

Security updates may contain patches to integrity checking mechanisms that can detect unauthorized hardware modifications.

.003 Compromise Software Supply Chain

Security updates may contain patches that inhibit system software compromises.