T1547.002 Authentication Package — Attack Pattern

Description

Adversaries may abuse authentication packages to execute DLLs when the system boots. Windows authentication package DLLs are loaded by the Local Security Authority (LSA) process at system start. They provide support for multiple logon processes and multiple security protocols to the operating system.(Citation: MSDN Authentication Packages) Adversaries can use the autostart mechanism provided by LSA authentication packages for persistence by placing a reference to a binary in the Windows Registry location <code>HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\</code> with the key value of <code>"Authentication Packages"=<target binary></code>. The binary will then be executed by the system when the authentication packages are loaded.

MITRE ATT&CK Detection Strategies
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DET0207 Detect LSA Authentication Package Persistence via Registry and LSASS DLL Load

AN0583 Windows

Registry modification of the LSA Authentication Packages key followed by LSASS loading a non-standard or unsigned DLL. This includes unusual write access to `HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa`, especially during non-installation timeframes. Correlated with `lsass.exe` loading DLLs not present in baseline or lacking valid signatures.

WinEventLog:Security 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

Authentication Package

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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