Sub-technique of T1587 Develop Capabilities.View on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may create self-signed SSL/TLS certificates that can be used during targeting. SSL/TLS certificates are designed to instill trust. They include information about the key, information about its owner's identity, and the digital signature of an entity that has verified the certificate's contents are correct. If the signature is valid, and the person examining the certificate trusts the signer, then they know they can use that key to communicate with its owner. In the case of self-signing, digital certificates will lack the element of trust associated with the signature of a third-party certificate authority (CA).
Adversaries may create self-signed SSL/TLS certificates that can be used to further their operations, such as encrypting C2 traffic (ex: Asymmetric Cryptography with Web Protocols) or even enabling Adversary-in-the-Middle if added to the root of trust (i.e. Install Root Certificate).
After creating a digital certificate, an adversary may then install that certificate (see Install Digital Certificate) on infrastructure under their control.
Rules on DetectionCode tagged with T1587.003.
| Rule | Type | Risk | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Certutil Root Certificate Addition | TTP | NULL | Sysmon EventID 1, Windows Event Log Security 4688, CrowdStrike ProcessRollup2 |
None recorded.
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| GroupAPT29 | APT29 has created self-signed digital certificates to enable mutual TLS authentication for malware. |
| GroupGamaredon Group | Gamaredon Group has used the same TLS certificate across its infrastructure. |
| GroupPROMETHIUM | PROMETHIUM has created self-signed digital certificates for use in HTTPS C2 traffic. |
| GroupStorm-0501 | Storm-0501 has utilized their own self-signed TLS certificate “Microsoft IT TLS CA 5” with their infrastructure. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| CampaignArcaneDoor | ArcaneDoor included acquiring digital certificates mimicking patterns associated with Cisco ASA appliances for command and control infrastructure. |
| CampaignC0011 | For C0011, Transparent Tribe established SSL certificates on the typo-squatted domains the group registered. |
| CampaignJ-magic Campaign | During the J-magic Campaign, threat actors used self-signed certificates on VPS C2 infrastructure. |
Data from MITRE ATT&CK® (Enterprise). ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation.
