An adversary can leverage a computer's peripheral devices (e.g., integrated cameras or webcams) or applications (e.g., video call services) to capture video recordings for the purpose of gathering information. Images may also be captured from devices or applications, potentially in specified intervals, in lieu of video files.
Malware or scripts may be used to interact with the devices through an available API provided by the operating system or an application to capture video or images. Video or image files may be written to disk and exfiltrated later. This technique differs from Screen Capture due to use of specific devices or applications for video recording rather than capturing the victim's screen.
In macOS, there are a few different malware samples that record the user's webcam such as FruitFly and Proton. [1]
| ID | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| S0331 | Agent Tesla |
Agent Tesla can access the victim’s webcam and record video.[2][3] |
| S1087 | AsyncRAT | |
| S0234 | Bandook |
Bandook has modules that are capable of capturing video from a victim's webcam.[5] |
| S0660 | Clambling | |
| S0338 | Cobian RAT |
Cobian RAT has a feature to access the webcam on the victim’s machine.[8] |
| S0591 | ConnectWise |
ConnectWise can record video on remote hosts.[9] |
| S0115 | Crimson |
Crimson can capture webcam video on targeted systems.[10][11] |
| S0334 | DarkComet |
DarkComet can access the victim’s webcam to take pictures.[12][13] |
| S0021 | Derusbi | |
| G1003 | Ember Bear |
Ember Bear has exfiltrated images from compromised IP cameras.[15] |
| S0363 | Empire |
Empire can capture webcam data on Windows and macOS systems.[16] |
| S0152 | EvilGrab |
EvilGrab has the capability to capture video from a victim machine.[17] |
| G0046 | FIN7 |
FIN7 created a custom video recording capability that could be used to monitor operations in the victim's environment.[18][19] |
| S0434 | Imminent Monitor |
Imminent Monitor has a remote webcam monitoring capability.[20][21] |
| S0260 | InvisiMole |
InvisiMole can remotely activate the victim’s webcam to capture content.[22][23] |
| S0283 | jRAT |
jRAT has the capability to capture video from a webcam.[24][25] |
| S0265 | Kazuar | |
| S0409 | Machete |
Machete takes photos from the computer’s web camera.[27][28][29] |
| S0336 | NanoCore |
NanoCore can access the victim's webcam and capture data.[30][31] |
| S0385 | njRAT | |
| S0644 | ObliqueRAT |
ObliqueRAT can capture images from webcams on compromised hosts.[34] |
| S1050 | PcShare |
PcShare can capture camera video as part of its collection process.[35] |
| S0428 | PoetRAT |
PoetRAT has used a Python tool named Bewmac to record the webcam on compromised hosts.[36] |
| S0192 | Pupy |
Pupy can access a connected webcam and capture pictures.[37] |
| S0262 | QuasarRAT | |
| S0332 | Remcos | |
| S0379 | Revenge RAT |
Revenge RAT has the ability to access the webcam.[41][42] |
| S0461 | SDBbot |
SDBbot has the ability to record video on a compromised host.[43][44] |
| G0091 | Silence |
Silence has been observed making videos of victims to observe bank employees day to day activities.[45][46] |
| S0098 | T9000 |
T9000 uses the Skype API to record audio and video calls. It writes encrypted data to |
| S0467 | TajMahal | |
| S0670 | WarzoneRAT |
WarzoneRAT can access the webcam on a victim's machine.[49][50] |
| S0412 | ZxShell |
This type of attack technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on the abuse of system features.
| ID | Data Source | Data Component | Detects |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS0017 | Command | Command Execution |
Monitor executed commands and arguments that can leverage a computer's peripheral devices (e.g., integrated cameras or webcams) or applications (e.g., video call services) to capture video recordings for the purpose of gathering information. |
| DS0009 | Process | OS API Execution |
Detection of this technique may be difficult due to the various APIs that may be used. Telemetry data regarding API use may not be useful depending on how a system is normally used, but may provide context to other potentially malicious activity occurring on a system. Behavior that could indicate technique use include an unknown or unusual process accessing APIs associated with devices or software that interact with the video camera, recording devices, or recording software, and a process periodically writing files to disk that contain video or camera image data. |