t1553-subvert-trust-controls

name	T1553_subvert-trust-controls
description	Adversaries may undermine security controls that will either warn users of untrusted activity or prevent execution of untrusted programs.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1553","defense-evasion","windows","macos","linux"]
technique_id	T1553
tactic	defense-evasion
all_tactics	["defense-evasion"]
platforms	["Windows","macOS","Linux"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1553
tech_stack	["windows","macos","linux"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-693"]
chains_with	["T1553.001","T1553.002","T1553.003","T1553.004","T1553.005","T1553.006"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{"T1553.001":"Chain with T1553.001 for deeper attack path","T1553.002":"Chain with T1553.002 for deeper attack path","T1553.003":"Chain with T1553.003 for deeper attack path"}

T1553 Subvert Trust Controls

High-Level Description

Adversaries may undermine security controls that will either warn users of untrusted activity or prevent execution of untrusted programs. Operating systems and security products may contain mechanisms to identify programs or websites as possessing some level of trust. Examples of such features would include a program being allowed to run because it is signed by a valid code signing certificate, a program prompting the user with a warning because it has an attribute set from being downloaded from the Internet, or getting an indication that you are about to connect to an untrusted site.

Adversaries may attempt to subvert these trust mechanisms. The method adversaries use will depend on the specific mechanism they seek to subvert. Adversaries may conduct File and Directory Permissions Modification or Modify Registry in support of subverting these controls. Adversaries may also create or steal code signing certificates to acquire trust on target systems.

Kill Chain Phase

• Defense Evasion (TA0005)

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

What to Check

• Identify if Subvert Trust Controls technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Subvert Trust Controls
• Check macOS systems for indicators of Subvert Trust Controls
• Check Linux systems for indicators of Subvert Trust Controls
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (5 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Manual Testing

1. Identify Attack Surface: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to Subvert Trust Controls by examining the target platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux).

2. Assess Existing Defenses: Review whether mitigations for T1553 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

3. Execute Test: Use tools and methods described in the MITRE ATT&CK page and external references below.

Note: No Atomic Red Team tests available for this technique. See Atomic Red Team GitHub for updates.