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Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols

Adversaries may communicate using application layer protocols associated with web protocols traffic to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to remote mobile devices, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the mobile client and server.

Web protocols such as HTTP and HTTPS are used for web traffic as well as well as notification services native to mobile messaging services such as Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) and newly, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), (GCM/FCM: two-way communication) and Apple Push Notification Service (APNS; one-way server-to-device). Such notification services leverage HTTP/S via the respective API and are commonly abused on Android and iOS respectively in order blend in with routine device traffic making it difficult for enterprises to inspect.

ID: T1437.001
Sub-technique of:  T1437
Tactic Type: Post-Adversary Device Access
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Tactic: Command and Control
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Platforms: Android, iOS
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MTC ID: APP-29
Version: 1.0
Created: 01 April 2022
Last Modified: 06 April 2022
Version Permalink

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
S1061 AbstractEmu

AbstractEmu can use HTTP to communicate with the C2 server.[1]
S1095 AhRat

AhRat can communicate with the C2 using HTTPS requests.[2]
S0525 Android/AdDisplay.Ashas

Android/AdDisplay.Ashas has communicated with the C2 server using HTTP.[3]
S0304 Android/Chuli.A

Android/Chuli.A used HTTP uploads to a URL as a command and control mechanism.[4]
S0540 Asacub

Asacub has communicated with the C2 using HTTP POST requests.[5]
S1079 BOULDSPY

BOULDSPY uses unencrypted HTTP traffic between the victim and C2 infrastructure.[6]
S1094 BRATA

BRATA can use both HTTP and WebSockets to communicate with the C2 server.[7]
S0432 Bread

Bread communicates with the C2 server using HTTP requests.[8]
C0033 C0033

During C0033, PROMETHIUM used StrongPity to communicate with the C2 server using HTTPS.[9]

S0480 Cerberus

Cerberus communicates with the C2 server using HTTP.[10]
S1083 Chameleon

Chameleon can use HTTP to communicate with the C2 server.[11]
S0555 CHEMISTGAMES

CHEMISTGAMES has used HTTPS for C2 communication.[12]
S0426 Concipit1248

Concipit1248 communicates with the C2 server using HTTP requests.[13]
S0425 Corona Updates

Corona Updates communicates with the C2 server using HTTP requests.[13]
G0070 Dark Caracal

Dark Caracal controls implants using standard HTTP communication.[14]

S0479 DEFENSOR ID

DEFENSOR ID has used Firebase Cloud Messaging for C2.[15]

S0478 EventBot

EventBot communicates with the C2 using HTTP requests.[16]
S0522 Exobot

Exobot has used HTTPS for C2 communication.[17]
S0405 Exodus

Exodus One checks in with the command and control server using HTTP POST requests.[18]

S0509 FakeSpy

FakeSpy exfiltrates data using HTTP requests.[19]
S1067 FluBot

FluBot can use HTTP POST requests on port 80 for communicating with its C2 server.[20]
S1093 FlyTrap

FlyTrap can use HTTP to communicate with the C2 server.[21]
S0535 Golden Cup

Golden Cup has communicated with the C2 using MQTT and HTTP.[22]
S0551 GoldenEagle

GoldenEagle has used HTTP POST requests for C2.[23]
S0536 GPlayed

GPlayed has communicated with the C2 using HTTP requests or WebSockets as a backup.[24]

S0406 Gustuff

Gustuff communicates with the command and control server using HTTP requests.[25]
S1077 Hornbill

Hornbill can use HTTP and HTTP POST to communicate information to the C2.[26]
S0463 INSOMNIA

INSOMNIA communicates with the C2 server using HTTPS requests.[27]
S0539 Red Alert 2.0

Red Alert 2.0 has communicated with the C2 using HTTP.[28]
S0326 RedDrop

RedDrop uses HTTP requests for C2 communication.[29]
S0403 Riltok

Riltok communicates with the command and control server using HTTP requests.[30]
S0411 Rotexy

Rotexy can communicate with the command and control server using JSON payloads sent in HTTP POST request bodies. It can also communicate by using JSON messages sent through Google Cloud Messaging.[31]
S0313 RuMMS

RuMMS uses HTTP for command and control.[32]
S1062 S.O.V.A.

S.O.V.A. can use the open-source project RetroFit for C2 communication.[33]
S1055 SharkBot

SharkBot can use HTTP to send C2 messages to infected devices.[34]
S0549 SilkBean

SilkBean has used HTTPS for C2 communication.[23]

S0327 Skygofree

Skygofree can be controlled via HTTP, XMPP, FirebaseCloudMessaging, or GoogleCloudMessaging in older versions.[35]
S0427 TrickMo

TrickMo communicates with the C2 by sending JSON objects over unencrypted HTTP requests.[36]
S0307 Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.Agent.ao

Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.Agent.ao uses Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) for command and control.[37]
S0306 Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakeInst.a

Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakeInst.a uses Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) for command and control.[37]
S0308 Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.OpFake.a

Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.OpFake.a uses Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) for command and control.[37]
S0418 ViceLeaker

ViceLeaker uses HTTP requests for C2 communication.[38][39]
S0311 YiSpecter

YiSpecter has connected to the C2 server via HTTP.[40]

Mitigations

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

Detection

Abuse of standard application protocols can be difficult to detect as many legitimate mobile applications leverage such protocols for language-specific APIs. Enterprises may be better served focusing on detection at other stages of adversarial behavior.

References

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  13. T. Bao, J. Lu. (2020, April 14). Coronavirus Update App Leads to Project Spy Android and iOS Spyware. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  14. Blaich, A., et al. (2018, January 18). Dark Caracal: Cyber-espionage at a Global Scale. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  15. L. Stefanko. (2020, May 22). Insidious Android malware gives up all malicious features but one to gain stealth. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  16. D. Frank, L. Rochberger, Y. Rimmer, A. Dahan. (2020, April 30). EventBot: A New Mobile Banking Trojan is Born. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
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  1. A. Yaswant. (2021, August 9). FlyTrap Android Malware Compromises Thousands of Facebook Accounts. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  2. R. Iarchy, E. Rynkowski. (2018, July 5). GoldenCup: New Cyber Threat Targeting World Cup Fans. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
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  4. V. Ventura. (2018, October 11). GPlayed Trojan - .Net playing with Google Market . Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  5. Vitor Ventura. (2019, April 9). Gustuff banking botnet targets Australia . Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  6. Apurva Kumar, Kristin Del Rosso. (2021, February 10). Novel Confucius APT Android Spyware Linked to India-Pakistan Conflict. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  7. A. Case, D. Lassalle, M. Meltzer, S. Koessel, et al.. (2020, April 21). Evil Eye Threat Actor Resurfaces with iOS Exploit and Updated Implant. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  8. J. Chandraiah. (2018, July 23). Red Alert 2.0: Android Trojan targets security-seekers. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  9. Nell Campbell. (2018, February 27). RedDrop: the blackmailing mobile malware family lurking in app stores. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  10. Tatyana Shishkova. (2019, June 25). Riltok mobile Trojan: A banker with global reach. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  11. T. Shishkova, L. Pikman. (2018, November 22). The Rotexy mobile Trojan – banker and ransomware. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  12. Wu Zhou, Deyu Hu, Jimmy Su, Yong Kang. (2016, April 26). RUMMS: THE LATEST FAMILY OF ANDROID MALWARE ATTACKING USERS IN RUSSIA VIA SMS PHISHING. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  13. ThreatFabric. (2021, September 9). S.O.V.A. - A new Android Banking trojan with fowl intentions. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  14. RIFT: Research and Intelligence Fusion Team. (2022, March 3). SharkBot: a “new” generation Android banking Trojan being distributed on Google Play Store. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  15. Nikita Buchka and Alexey Firsh. (2018, January 16). Skygofree: Following in the footsteps of HackingTeam. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  16. P. Asinovsky. (2020, March 24). TrickBot Pushing a 2FA Bypass App to Bank Customers in Germany. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  17. Roman Unuchek and Victor Chebyshev. (2014, February 24). Mobile Malware Evolution: 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  18. GReAT. (2019, June 26). ViceLeaker Operation: mobile espionage targeting Middle East. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  19. L. Arsene, C. Ochinca. (2018, August 20). Triout – Spyware Framework for Android with Extensive Surveillance Capabilities. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  20. Claud Xiao. (2015, October 4). YiSpecter: First iOS Malware That Attacks Non-jailbroken Apple iOS Devices by Abusing Private APIs. Retrieved March 3, 2023.