| name | T1521_encrypted-channel |
| description | Adversaries may explicitly employ a known encryption algorithm to conceal command and control traffic rather than relying on any inherent protections provided by a communication protocol. |
| category | configuration |
| version | 18.1 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["mitre-attack","mobile","t1521","command-and-control","android","ios"] |
| technique_id | T1521 |
| tactic | command-and-control |
| all_tactics | ["command-and-control"] |
| platforms | ["Android","iOS"] |
| mitre_url | https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1521 |
| tech_stack | ["android","ios"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-300"] |
| chains_with | ["T1521.001","T1521.002","T1521.003"] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {"T1521.001":"Chain with T1521.001 for deeper attack path","T1521.002":"Chain with T1521.002 for deeper attack path","T1521.003":"Chain with T1521.003 for deeper attack path"} |
T1521 Encrypted Channel
High-Level Description
Adversaries may explicitly employ a known encryption algorithm to conceal command and control traffic rather than relying on any inherent protections provided by a communication protocol. Despite the use of a secure algorithm, these implementations may be vulnerable to reverse engineering if necessary secret keys are encoded and/or generated within malware samples/configuration files.
Kill Chain Phase
- Command and Control (TA0037)
Platforms: Android, iOS
What to Check
How to Test
Identify Attack Surface
Determine if the target mobile environment is susceptible to Encrypted Channel by examining the target platforms (Android, iOS).
Assess Existing Defenses
Review whether mitigations for T1521 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.
Remediation Guide
No specific mitigations documented for this technique.
Detection
Detection of Encrypted Channel
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|
| Encrypted Channel technique applicable | Low | Command And Control |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|
| CWE-300 | Channel Accessible by Non-Endpoint |
References
