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  1. Frameworks
  2. >ATTACK
  3. >Persistence
  4. >ATTACK-T1574.013
ATTACK-T1574.013Active

KernelCallbackTable

Statement

Adversaries may abuse the <code>KernelCallbackTable</code> of a process to hijack its execution flow in order to run their own payloads.(Citation: Lazarus APT January 2022)(Citation: FinFisher exposed ) The <code>KernelCallbackTable</code> can be found in the Process Environment Block (PEB) and is initialized to an array of graphic functions available to a GUI process once <code>user32.dll</code> is loaded.(Citation: Windows Process Injection KernelCallbackTable)

An adversary may hijack the execution flow of a process using the <code>KernelCallbackTable</code> by replacing an original callback function with a malicious payload. Modifying callback functions can be achieved in various ways involving related behaviors such as Reflective Code Loading or Process Injection into another process.

A pointer to the memory address of the <code>KernelCallbackTable</code> can be obtained by locating the PEB (ex: via a call to the <code>NtQueryInformationProcess()</code> Native API function).(Citation: NtQueryInformationProcess) Once the pointer is located, the <code>KernelCallbackTable</code> can be duplicated, and a function in the table (e.g., <code>fnCOPYDATA</code>) set to the address of a malicious payload (ex: via <code>WriteProcessMemory()</code>). The PEB is then updated with the new address of the table. Once the tampered function is invoked, the malicious payload will be triggered.(Citation: Lazarus APT January 2022)

The tampered function is typically invoked using a Windows message. After the process is hijacked and malicious code is executed, the <code>KernelCallbackTable</code> may also be restored to its original state by the rest of the malicious payload.(Citation: Lazarus APT January 2022) Use of the <code>KernelCallbackTable</code> to hijack execution flow may evade detection from security products since the execution can be masked under a legitimate process.

Location

Tactic
Persistence

Technique Details

Identifier
ATTACK-T1574.013
Parent Technique
ATTACK-T1574
ATT&CK Page
View on MITRE

Tactics

PersistencePrivilege EscalationDefense Evasion

Platforms

Windows

Detection

Detection Strategy for Hijack Execution Flow through the KernelCallbackTable on Windows.

Mitigations

Behavior Prevention on Endpoint: Behavior Prevention on Endpoint refers to the use of technologies and strategies to detect and block potentially malicious activities by analyzing the behavior of processes, files, API calls, and other endpoint events. Rather than relying solely on known signatures, this approach leverages heuristics, machine learning, and real-time monitoring to identify anomalous patterns indicative of an attack. This mitigation can be implemented through the following measures:

Suspicious Process Behavior:

  • Implementation: Use Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools to monitor and block processes exhibiting unusual behavior, such as privilege escalation attempts.
  • Use Case: An attacker uses a known vulnerability to spawn a privileged process from a user-level application. The endpoint tool detects the abnormal parent-child process relationship and blocks the action.

Unauthorized File Access:

  • Implementation: Leverage Data Loss Prevention (DLP) or endpoint tools to block processes attempting to access sensitive files without proper authorization.
  • Use Case: A process tries to read or modify a sensitive file located in a restricted directory, such as /etc/shadow on Linux or the SAM registry hive on Windows. The endpoint tool identifies this anomalous behavior and prevents it.

Abnormal API Calls:

  • Implementation: Implement runtime analysis tools to monitor API calls and block those associated with malicious activities.
  • Use Case: A process dynamically injects itself into another process to hijack its execution. The endpoint detects the abnormal use of APIs like OpenProcess and WriteProcessMemory and terminates the offending process.

Exploit Prevention:

  • Implementation: Use behavioral exploit prevention tools to detect and block exploits attempting to gain unauthorized access.
  • Use Case: A buffer overflow exploit is launched against a vulnerable application. The endpoint detects the anomalous memory write operation and halts the process.
SP 800-53
SP800-53-CA-7relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-CA-8relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-10relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-2relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-3relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
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Persistence80 controls
ATTACK-T1037Boot or Logon Initialization ScriptsATTACK-T1037.001Logon Script (Windows)ATTACK-T1037.002Login HookATTACK-T1037.003Network Logon ScriptATTACK-T1037.004RC ScriptsATTACK-T1037.005Startup ItemsATTACK-T1098Account ManipulationATTACK-T1098.001Additional Cloud CredentialsATTACK-T1098.002Additional Email Delegate PermissionsATTACK-T1098.003Additional Cloud RolesATTACK-T1098.004SSH Authorized KeysATTACK-T1098.005Device RegistrationATTACK-T1098.006Additional Container Cluster RolesATTACK-T1098.007Additional Local or Domain GroupsATTACK-T1133External Remote ServicesATTACK-T1136Create AccountATTACK-T1136.001Local AccountATTACK-T1136.002Domain AccountATTACK-T1136.003Cloud AccountATTACK-T1137Office Application StartupATTACK-T1137.001Office Template MacrosATTACK-T1137.002Office TestATTACK-T1137.003Outlook FormsATTACK-T1137.004Outlook Home PageATTACK-T1137.005Outlook RulesATTACK-T1137.006Add-insATTACK-T1176Software ExtensionsATTACK-T1176.001Browser ExtensionsATTACK-T1176.002IDE ExtensionsATTACK-T1505Server Software ComponentATTACK-T1505.001SQL Stored ProceduresATTACK-T1505.002Transport AgentATTACK-T1505.003Web ShellATTACK-T1505.004IIS ComponentsATTACK-T1505.005Terminal Services DLLATTACK-T1505.006vSphere Installation BundlesATTACK-T1525Implant Internal ImageATTACK-T1542.001System FirmwareATTACK-T1542.002Component FirmwareATTACK-T1542.003BootkitATTACK-T1543Create or Modify System ProcessATTACK-T1543.001Launch AgentATTACK-T1543.002Systemd ServiceATTACK-T1543.003Windows ServiceATTACK-T1543.004Launch DaemonATTACK-T1543.005Container ServiceATTACK-T1546.017Udev RulesATTACK-T1546.018Python Startup HooksATTACK-T1547Boot or Logon Autostart ExecutionATTACK-T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup FolderATTACK-T1547.002Authentication PackageATTACK-T1547.003Time ProvidersATTACK-T1547.004Winlogon Helper DLLATTACK-T1547.005Security Support ProviderATTACK-T1547.006Kernel Modules and ExtensionsATTACK-T1547.007Re-opened ApplicationsATTACK-T1547.008LSASS DriverATTACK-T1547.009Shortcut ModificationATTACK-T1547.010Port MonitorsATTACK-T1547.012Print ProcessorsATTACK-T1547.013XDG Autostart EntriesATTACK-T1547.014Active SetupATTACK-T1547.015Login ItemsATTACK-T1554Compromise Host Software BinaryATTACK-T1574Hijack Execution FlowATTACK-T1574.001DLLATTACK-T1574.004Dylib HijackingATTACK-T1574.005Executable Installer File Permissions WeaknessATTACK-T1574.006Dynamic Linker HijackingATTACK-T1574.007Path Interception by PATH Environment VariableATTACK-T1574.008Path Interception by Search Order HijackingATTACK-T1574.009Path Interception by Unquoted PathATTACK-T1574.010Services File Permissions WeaknessATTACK-T1574.011Services Registry Permissions WeaknessATTACK-T1574.012COR_PROFILERATTACK-T1574.013KernelCallbackTableATTACK-T1574.014AppDomainManagerATTACK-T1653Power SettingsATTACK-T1668Exclusive ControlATTACK-T1671Cloud Application Integration