| name | T1635_steal-application-access-token |
| description | Adversaries can steal user application access tokens as a means of acquiring credentials to access remote systems and resources. |
| category | authentication |
| version | 18.1 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["mitre-attack","mobile","t1635","credential-access","android","ios"] |
| technique_id | T1635 |
| tactic | credential-access |
| all_tactics | ["credential-access"] |
| platforms | ["Android","iOS"] |
| mitre_url | https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1635 |
| tech_stack | ["android","ios"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-522"] |
| chains_with | ["T1635.001"] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {"T1635.001":"Chain with T1635.001 for deeper attack path"} |
T1635 Steal Application Access Token
High-Level Description
Adversaries can steal user application access tokens as a means of acquiring credentials to access remote systems and resources. This can occur through social engineering or URI hijacking and typically requires user action to grant access, such as through a system “Open With” dialogue.
Application access tokens are used to make authorized API requests on behalf of a user and are commonly used as a way to access resources in cloud-based applications and software-as-a-service (SaaS). OAuth is one commonly implemented framework used to issue tokens to users for access to systems. An application desiring access to cloud-based services or protected APIs can gain entry through OAuth 2.0 using a variety of authorization protocols. An example of a commonly-used sequence is Microsoft's Authorization Code Grant flow. An OAuth access token enables a third-party application to interact with resources containing user data in the ways requested without requiring user credentials.
Kill Chain Phase
- Credential Access (TA0031)
Platforms: Android, iOS
What to Check
How to Test
Identify Attack Surface
Determine if the target mobile environment is susceptible to Steal Application Access Token by examining the target platforms (Android, iOS).
Assess Existing Defenses
Review whether mitigations for T1635 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.
Remediation Guide
M1006 Use Recent OS Version
iOS 11 introduced a first-come-first-served principle for URIs, allowing only the prior installed app to be launched via the URI. Android 6 introduced App Links.
M1011 User Guidance
Users should be instructed to not open links in applications they don’t recognize.
M1013 Application Developer Guidance
Developers should use Android App Links and iOS Universal Links to provide a secure binding between URIs and applications, preventing malicious applications from intercepting redirections. Additionally, for OAuth use cases, PKCE should be used to prevent use of stolen authorization codes.
