| name | T1071.001_web-protocols |
| description | Adversaries may communicate using application layer protocols associated with web traffic to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. |
| category | configuration |
| version | 18.1 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1071.001","command-and-control","esxi","linux","macos","network-devices","windows","sub-technique"] |
| technique_id | T1071.001 |
| tactic | command-and-control |
| all_tactics | ["command-and-control"] |
| platforms | ["ESXi","Linux","macOS","Network Devices","Windows"] |
| mitre_url | https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1071/001 |
| tech_stack | ["esxi","linux","macos","network devices","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-300"] |
| chains_with | ["T1071","T1071.002","T1071.003","T1071.004","T1071.005"] |
| prerequisites | ["T1071"] |
| severity_boost | {"T1071":"Chain with T1071 for deeper attack path","T1071.002":"Chain with T1071.002 for deeper attack path","T1071.003":"Chain with T1071.003 for deeper attack path"} |
T1071.001 Web Protocols
Sub-technique of: T1071
High-Level Description
Adversaries may communicate using application layer protocols associated with web traffic to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server.
Protocols such as HTTP/S and WebSocket that carry web traffic may be very common in environments. HTTP/S packets have many fields and headers in which data can be concealed. An adversary may abuse these protocols to communicate with systems under their control within a victim network while also mimicking normal, expected traffic.
Kill Chain Phase
- Command and Control (TA0011)
Platforms: ESXi, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows
What to Check
How to Test
Atomic Red Team Tests
The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:
Atomic Test 1: Malicious User Agents - Powershell
This test simulates an infected host beaconing to command and control. Upon execution, no output will be displayed.
Use an application such as Wireshark to record the session and observe user agent strings and responses.
Inspired by APTSimulator - https://github.com/NextronSystems/APTSimulator/blob/master/test-sets/command-and-control/malicious-user-agents.bat
Supported Platforms: windows
Invoke-WebRequest #{domain} -UserAgent "HttpBrowser/1.0" | out-null
Invoke-WebRequest #{domain} -UserAgent "Wget/1.9+cvs-stable (Red Hat modified)" | out-null
Invoke-WebRequest #{domain} -UserAgent "Opera/8.81 (Windows NT 6.0; U; en)" | out-null
Invoke-WebRequest #{domain} -UserAgent "*<|>*" | out-null
