Adversaries may rely on a targeted organizations user interaction for the execution of malicious code. User interaction may consist of installing applications, opening email attachments, or granting higher permissions to documents.
Adversaries may embed malicious code or visual basic code into files such as Microsoft Word and Excel documents or software installers. [1] Execution of this code requires that the user enable scripting or write access within the document. Embedded code may not always be noticeable to the user especially in cases of trojanized software. [2]
A Chinese spearphishing campaign running from December 9, 2011 through February 29, 2012 delivered malware through spearphishing attachments which required user action to achieve execution. [3]
| ID | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| S0093 | Backdoor.Oldrea |
Execution of Backdoor.Oldrea relies on a user opening a trojanized installer attached to an email. [2] [4] |
| S0606 | Bad Rabbit |
Bad Rabbit is disguised as an Adobe Flash installer. When the file is opened it starts locking the infected computer. [5] |
| S0496 | REvil |
REvil initially executes when the user clicks on a JavaScript file included in the phishing emails .zip attachment. [6] |
| S0603 | Stuxnet |
Stuxnet infects DLL's associated with the WinCC Simatic manager which are responsible for opening project files. If a user opens an uninfected project file using a compromised manager, the file will be infected with Stuxnet code. If an infected project is opened with the Simatic manager, the modified data file will trigger a search for the |
| ID | Asset |
|---|---|
| A0002 | Human-Machine Interface (HMI) |
| A0012 | Jump Host |
| A0001 | Workstation |
| ID | Mitigation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M0949 | Antivirus/Antimalware |
Ensure anti-virus solution can detect malicious files that allow user execution (e.g., Microsoft Office Macros, program installers). |
| M0945 | Code Signing |
Prevent the use of unsigned executables, such as installers and scripts. |
| M0938 | Execution Prevention |
Application control may be able to prevent the running of executables masquerading as other files. |
| M0931 | Network Intrusion Prevention |
If a link is being visited by a user, network intrusion prevention systems and systems designed to scan and remove malicious downloads can be used to block activity. |
| M0921 | Restrict Web-Based Content |
If a link is being visited by a user, block unknown or unused files in transit by default that should not be downloaded or by policy from suspicious sites as a best practice to prevent some vectors, such as .scr, .exe, .pif, .cpl, etc. Some download scanning devices can open and analyze compressed and encrypted formats, such as zip and rar that may be used to conceal malicious files. |
| M0917 | User Training |
Use user training as a way to bring awareness to common phishing and spearphishing techniques and how to raise suspicion for potentially malicious events. |
| ID | Data Source | Data Component | Detects |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS0015 | Application Log | Application Log Content |
Monitor for application logging, messaging, and/or other artifacts that may rely upon specific actions by a user in order to gain execution. |
| DS0017 | Command | Command Execution |
Monitor for newly executed processes that depend on user interaction, especially for applications that can embed programmatic capabilities (e.g., Microsoft Office products with scripts, installers, zip files). This includes compression applications, such as those for zip files, that can be used to Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information in payloads. For added context on adversary procedures and background see User Execution and applicable sub-techniques. |
| DS0022 | File | File Access |
Anti-virus can potentially detect malicious documents and files that are downloaded and executed on the user's computer. Endpoint sensing or network sensing can potentially detect malicious events once the file is opened (such as a Microsoft Word document or PDF reaching out to the internet or spawning PowerShell). |
| DS0029 | Network Traffic | Network Connection Creation |
Monitor for newly constructed web-based network connections that are sent to malicious or suspicious destinations (e.g., destinations attributed to phishing campaigns). Consider correlation with process monitoring and command line to detect anomalous processes execution and command line arguments (e.g., monitor anomalies in use of files that do not normally initiate network connections or unusual connections initiated by regsvr32.exe, rundll.exe, SCF, HTA, MSI, DLLs, or msiexec.exe). |
| Network Traffic Content |
Monitor and analyze traffic patterns and packet inspection associated with web-based network connections that are sent to malicious or suspicious destinations (e.g., destinations attributed to phishing campaigns). Consider correlation with process monitoring and command line to detect anomalous processes execution and command line arguments (e.g., monitor anomalies in use of files that do not normally initiate network connections or unusual connections initiated by regsvr32.exe, rundll.exe, SCF, HTA, MSI, DLLs, or msiexec.exe). |
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| DS0009 | Process | Process Creation |
Monitor for newly executed processes that depend on user interaction, especially for applications that can embed programmatic capabilities (e.g., Microsoft Office products with scripts, installers, zip files). This includes compression applications, such as those for zip files, that can be used to Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information in payloads. |