t1655-masquerading

name	T1655_masquerading
description	Adversaries may attempt to manipulate features of their artifacts to make them appear legitimate or benign to users and/or security tools.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","mobile","t1655","defense-evasion","android","ios"]
technique_id	T1655
tactic	defense-evasion
all_tactics	["defense-evasion"]
platforms	["Android","iOS"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1655
tech_stack	["android","ios"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-693"]
chains_with	["T1655.001"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{"T1655.001":"Chain with T1655.001 for deeper attack path"}

T1655 Masquerading

High-Level Description

Adversaries may attempt to manipulate features of their artifacts to make them appear legitimate or benign to users and/or security tools. Masquerading occurs when the name, location, or appearance of an object, legitimate or malicious, is manipulated or abused for the sake of evading defenses and observation. This may include manipulating file metadata, tricking users into misidentifying the file type, and giving legitimate task or service names.

Renaming abusable system utilities to evade security monitoring is also a form of Masquerading

Kill Chain Phase

• Defense Evasion (TA0030)

Platforms: Android, iOS

What to Check

• Identify if Masquerading technique is applicable to target mobile environment
• Check Android devices for indicators of Masquerading
• Check iOS devices for indicators of Masquerading
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (1 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Identify Attack Surface

Determine if the target mobile environment is susceptible to Masquerading by examining the target platforms (Android, iOS).

Assess Existing Defenses

Review whether mitigations for T1655 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

Remediation Guide

M1011 User Guidance

Users should be encouraged to only install apps from authorized app stores, which are less likely to contain malicious repackaged apps.

Detection

Detection of Masquerading

Risk Assessment

Finding	Severity	Impact
Masquerading technique applicable	Low	Defense Evasion

CWE Categories

CWE ID	Title
CWE-693	Protection Mechanism Failure

References

• NIST Mobile Threat Catalogue