T1547.005 Security Support Provider — Attack Pattern

Description

Adversaries may abuse security support providers (SSPs) to execute DLLs when the system boots. Windows SSP DLLs are loaded into the Local Security Authority (LSA) process at system start. Once loaded into the LSA, SSP DLLs have access to encrypted and plaintext passwords that are stored in Windows, such as any logged-on user's Domain password or smart card PINs. The SSP configuration is stored in two Registry keys: <code>HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\Security Packages</code> and <code>HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\OSConfig\Security Packages</code>. An adversary may modify these Registry keys to add new SSPs, which will be loaded the next time the system boots, or when the AddSecurityPackage Windows API function is called.(Citation: Graeber 2014)

MITRE ATT&CK Detection Strategies
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DET0542 Registry and LSASS Monitoring for Security Support Provider Abuse

AN1495 Windows

Monitor registry modifications to `HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\Security Packages` or `...\OSConfig\Security Packages`, especially insertions of new DLL entries. Correlate this with subsequent DLL module loads into `lsass.exe`. Track unsigned or anomalous DLLs loading into LSASS using image load auditing. LSASS loads unsigned DLL due to AuditLevel=8 registry configuration or System reboot followed by DLL load into lsass.exe

WinEventLog:Security WinEventLog:Sysmon WinEventLog:Sysmon

MITRE ATT&CK Mitigations
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M1025

Privileged Process Integrity

Privileged Process Integrity focuses on defending highly privileged processes (e.g., system services, antivirus, or authentication processes) from tampering, injection, or compromise by adversaries. These processes often interact with critical components, making them prime targets for techniques like code injection, privilege escalation, and process manipulation. This mitigation can be implemented through the following measures: Protected Process Mechanisms: - Enable RunAsPPL on Windows systems to protect LSASS and other critical processes. - Use registry modifications to enforce protected process settings: `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\RunAsPPL` Anti-Injection and Memory Protection: - Enable Control Flow Guard (CFG), DEP, and ASLR to protect against process memory tampering. - Deploy endpoint protection tools that actively block process injection attempts. Code Signing Validation: - Implement policies for Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker to enforce execution of signed binaries. - Ensure critical processes are signed with valid certificates. Access Controls: - Use DACLs and MIC to limit which users and processes can interact with privileged processes. - Disable unnecessary debugging capabilities for high-privileged processes. Kernel-Level Protections: - Ensure Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard) is enabled on Windows systems. - Leverage SELinux or AppArmor on Linux to enforce kernel-level security policies. *Tools for Implementation* Protected Process Light (PPL): - RunAsPPL (Windows) - Windows Defender Credential Guard Code Integrity and Signing: - Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) - AppLocker - SELinux/AppArmor (Linux) Memory Protection: - Control Flow Guard (CFG), Data Execution Prevention (DEP), ASLR Process Isolation/Sandboxing: - Firejail (Linux Sandbox) - Windows Sandbox - QEMU/KVM-based isolation Kernel Protection: - PatchGuard (Windows Kernel Patch Protection) - SELinux (Mandatory Access Control for Linux) - AppArmor

Security Support Provider

Description

MITRE ATT&CK Detection Strategies 1

MITRE ATT&CK Mitigations 1

Details

MITRE ATT&CK Detection Strategies
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MITRE ATT&CK Mitigations
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