Video Capture

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: T1125
Sub-techniques:  No sub-techniques
Tactic: Collection
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS
Permissions Required: User
Contributors: Praetorian
Version: 1.1
Created: 31 May 2017
Last Modified: 30 March 2023

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
S0331 Agent Tesla

Agent Tesla can access the victim’s webcam and record video.[2][3]

S1087 AsyncRAT

AsyncRAT can record screen content on targeted systems.[4]

S0234 Bandook

Bandook has modules that are capable of capturing video from a victim's webcam.[5]

S0660 Clambling

Clambling can record screen content in AVI format.[6][7]

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

Derusbi is capable of capturing video.[14]

S0363 Empire

Empire can capture webcam data on Windows and macOS systems.[15]

S0152 EvilGrab

EvilGrab has the capability to capture video from a victim machine.[16]

G0046 FIN7

FIN7 created a custom video recording capability that could be used to monitor operations in the victim's environment.[17][18]

S0434 Imminent Monitor

Imminent Monitor has a remote webcam monitoring capability.[19][20]

S0260 InvisiMole

InvisiMole can remotely activate the victim’s webcam to capture content.[21][22]

S0283 jRAT

jRAT has the capability to capture video from a webcam.[23][24]

S0265 Kazuar

Kazuar captures images from the webcam.[25]

S0409 Machete

Machete takes photos from the computer’s web camera.[26][27][28]

S0336 NanoCore

NanoCore can access the victim's webcam and capture data.[29][30]

S0385 njRAT

njRAT can access the victim's webcam.[31][32]

S0644 ObliqueRAT

ObliqueRAT can capture images from webcams on compromised hosts.[33]

S1050 PcShare

PcShare can capture camera video as part of its collection process.[34]

S0428 PoetRAT

PoetRAT has used a Python tool named Bewmac to record the webcam on compromised hosts.[35]

S0192 Pupy

Pupy can access a connected webcam and capture pictures.[36]

S0262 QuasarRAT

QuasarRAT can perform webcam viewing.[37][38]

S0332 Remcos

Remcos can access a system’s webcam and take pictures.[39]

S0379 Revenge RAT

Revenge RAT has the ability to access the webcam.[40][41]

S0461 SDBbot

SDBbot has the ability to record video on a compromised host.[42][43]

G0091 Silence

Silence has been observed making videos of victims to observe bank employees day to day activities.[44][45]

S0098 T9000

T9000 uses the Skype API to record audio and video calls. It writes encrypted data to %APPDATA%\Intel\Skype.[46]

S0467 TajMahal

TajMahal has the ability to capture webcam video.[47]

S0670 WarzoneRAT

WarzoneRAT can access the webcam on a victim's machine.[48][49]

S0412 ZxShell

ZxShell has a command to perform video device spying.[50]

Mitigations

This type of attack technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on the abuse of system features.

Detection

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.

References

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