T1001.003: Protocol or Service Impersonation — MITRE ATT&CK Technique

Description

Adversaries may impersonate legitimate protocols or web service traffic to disguise command and control activity and thwart analysis efforts. By impersonating legitimate protocols or web services, adversaries can make their command and control traffic blend in with legitimate network traffic.

Adversaries may impersonate a fake SSL/TLS handshake to make it look like subsequent traffic is SSL/TLS encrypted, potentially interfering with some security tooling, or to make the traffic look like it is related with a trusted entity.

Adversaries may also leverage legitimate protocols to impersonate expected web traffic or trusted services. For example, adversaries may manipulate HTTP headers, URI endpoints, SSL certificates, and transmitted data to disguise C2 communications or mimic legitimate services such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Yahoo Messenger.(Citation: ESET Okrum July 2019)(Citation: Malleable-C2-U42)

Platforms

ESXiLinuxmacOSWindows

Mitigations (1)

Network Intrusion PreventionM1031

Network intrusion detection and prevention systems that use network signatures to identify traffic for specific adversary malware can be used to mitigate some obfuscation activity at the network level.

Threat Groups (3)

ID	Group	Context
G0129	Mustang Panda	[Mustang Panda](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0129) has utilized TLS record headers in network packets to impersonate various versions of TLS proto...
G0126	Higaisa	[Higaisa](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0126) used a FakeTLS session for C2 communications.(Citation: Zscaler Higaisa 2020)
G0032	Lazarus Group	[Lazarus Group](https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0032) malware also uses a unique form of communication encryption known as FakeTLS that mimics TLS bu...

Associated Software (18)

ID	Name	Type	Context
S1100	Ninja	Malware	[Ninja](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1100) has the ability to mimic legitimate services with customized HTTP URL paths and headers to hide malic...
S0239	Bankshot	Malware	[Bankshot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0239) generates a false TLS handshake using a public certificate to disguise C2 network communications.(...
S1239	TONESHELL	Malware	[TONESHELL](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1239) used FakeTLS headers in network packets to impersonate various versions of TLS protocols to blend...
S1226	BOOKWORM	Malware	[BOOKWORM](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1226) has modified HTTP POST requests to resemble legitimate communications.(Citation: Palo Alto Network...
S1228	PUBLOAD	Malware	[PUBLOAD](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1228) has modified HTTP POST requests to resemble legitimate communications.(Citation: Lab52 MUSTANG PAND...
S0260	InvisiMole	Malware	[InvisiMole](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0260) can mimic HTTP protocol with custom HTTP “verbs” HIDE, ZVVP, and NOP.(Citation: ESET InvisiMole ...
S0439	Okrum	Malware	[Okrum](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0439) leverages the HTTP protocol for C2 communication, while hiding the actual messages in the Cookie and ...
S0387	KeyBoy	Malware	[KeyBoy](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0387) uses custom SSL libraries to impersonate SSL in C2 traffic.(Citation: PWC KeyBoys Feb 2017)
S0586	TAINTEDSCRIBE	Malware	[TAINTEDSCRIBE](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0586) has used FakeTLS for session authentication.(Citation: CISA MAR-10288834-2.v1 TAINTEDSCRIBE ...
S0022	Uroburos	Malware	[Uroburos](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0022) can use custom communication methodologies that ride over common protocols including TCP, UDP, HT...
S0245	BADCALL	Malware	[BADCALL](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0245) uses a FakeTLS method during C2.(Citation: Malware Analysis Report 10135536-G)
S0154	Cobalt Strike	Malware	[Cobalt Strike](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0154) can leverage the HTTP protocol for C2 communication, while hiding the actual data in either a...
S0559	SUNBURST	Malware	[SUNBURST](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0559) masqueraded its network traffic as the Orion Improvement Program (OIP) protocol.(Citation: FireEye...
S0076	FakeM	Malware	[FakeM](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0076) C2 traffic attempts to evade detection by resembling data generated by legitimate messenger applicati...
S1120	FRAMESTING	Malware	[FRAMESTING](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1120) uses a cookie named `DSID` to mimic the name of a cookie used by Ivanti Connect Secure appliance...
S0246	HARDRAIN	Malware	[HARDRAIN](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0246) uses FakeTLS to communicate with its C2 server.(Citation: MAR10135536-F)
S1227	StarProxy	Malware	[StarProxy](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1227) has utilized TLS record headers in network packets to impersonate various versions of TLS protoco...
S0181	FALLCHILL	Malware	[FALLCHILL](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0181) uses fake Transport Layer Security (TLS) to communicate with its C2 server.(Citation: US-CERT FAL...

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is T1001.003 (Protocol or Service Impersonation)?

T1001.003 is a MITRE ATT&CK technique named 'Protocol or Service Impersonation'. It belongs to the Command and Control tactic(s). Adversaries may impersonate legitimate protocols or web service traffic to disguise command and control activity and thwart analysis efforts. By impersonating legitimate protocols or web services, adv...

How can T1001.003 be detected?

Detection of T1001.003 (Protocol or Service Impersonation) typically involves monitoring system logs, network traffic, and endpoint telemetry. Use SIEM rules, EDR solutions, and behavioral analytics to identify suspicious activity associated with this technique.

What mitigations exist for T1001.003?

There are 1 documented mitigations for T1001.003. Key mitigations include: Network Intrusion Prevention.

Which threat groups use T1001.003?

Known threat groups using T1001.003 include: Mustang Panda, Higaisa, Lazarus Group.