Sub-technique of T1055 Process Injection.View on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may inject portable executables (PE) into processes in order to evade process-based defenses as well as possibly elevate privileges. PE injection is a method of executing arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process.
PE injection is commonly performed by copying code (perhaps without a file on disk) into the virtual address space of the target process before invoking it via a new thread. The write can be performed with native Windows API calls such as VirtualAllocEx and WriteProcessMemory, then invoked with CreateRemoteThread or additional code (ex: shellcode). The displacement of the injected code does introduce the additional requirement for functionality to remap memory references.
Running code in the context of another process may allow access to the process's memory, system/network resources, and possibly elevated privileges. Execution via PE injection may also evade detection from security products since the execution is masked under a legitimate process.
Rules on DetectionCode tagged with T1055.002.
| Rule | Type | Risk | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Process Injection into Commonly Abused Processes | Anomaly | NULL | Sysmon EventID 10 |
| Windows Process Injection into Notepad | Anomaly | NULL | Sysmon EventID 10 |
| Windows Process Injection Remote Thread | TTP | NULL | Sysmon EventID 8 |
| Windows Process Injection With Public Source Path | Hunting | NULL | Sysmon EventID 8 |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| GroupGorgon Group | Gorgon Group malware can download a remote access tool, ShiftyBug, and inject into another process. |
| GroupRocke | Rocke's miner, "TermsHost.exe", evaded defenses by injecting itself into Windows processes, including Notepad.exe. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| ToolBrute Ratel C4 | Brute Ratel C4 has injected Latrodectus into the Explorer.exe process on comrpomised hosts. |
| MalwareCarbanak | Carbanak downloads an executable and injects it directly into a new process. |
| MalwareDUSTPAN | DUSTPAN can inject its decrypted payload into another process. |
| MalwareGootloader | Gootloader can use its own PE loader to execute payloads in memory. |
| MalwareGreyEnergy | GreyEnergy has a module to inject a PE binary into a remote process. |
| MalwareHavoc | Havoc has itself injected into `C:\\Windows\\System32\\Werfault.exe` on targeted systems. |
| MalwareInvisiMole | InvisiMole can inject its backdoor as a portable executable into a target process. |
| MalwareLizar | Lizar can execute PE files in the address space of the specified process. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| Campaign3CX Supply Chain Attack | During the 3CX Supply Chain Attack, AppleJeus uses the SigFlip tool to inject arbitrary code without affecting or breaking the file's signature. |
Data from MITRE ATT&CK® (Enterprise). ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation.
