T1556.004 — Network Device Authentication
T1556.004: Network Device Authentication
MITRE ATT&CK® Enterprise technique
| Tactics | Defense Impairment, Persistence, Credential Access |
| Platforms | Network Devices |
| Permissions required | — |
| Version | 3.0 |
| Parent technique | T1556 |
Description
Adversaries may use Patch System Image to hard code a password in the operating system, thus bypassing of native authentication mechanisms for local accounts on network devices.
Modify System Image may include implanted code to the operating system for network devices to provide access for adversaries using a specific password. The modification includes a specific password which is implanted in the operating system image via the patch. Upon authentication attempts, the inserted code will first check to see if the user input is the password. If so, access is granted. Otherwise, the implanted code will pass the credentials on for verification of potentially valid credentials.(Citation: Mandiant - Synful Knock)
Detection
(no detection guidance published)
Data sources
- (none listed)
References
- ATT&CK page: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1556/004
- ATT&CK Enterprise matrix: https://attack.mitre.org/matrices/enterprise/