t1219-remote-access-tools

name	T1219_remote-access-tools
description	An adversary may use legitimate remote access tools to establish an interactive command and control channel within a network.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1219","command-and-control","linux","macos","windows"]
technique_id	T1219
tactic	command-and-control
all_tactics	["command-and-control"]
platforms	["Linux","macOS","Windows"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1219
tech_stack	["linux","macos","windows"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-300"]
chains_with	["T1219.001","T1219.002","T1219.003"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{"T1219.001":"Chain with T1219.001 for deeper attack path","T1219.002":"Chain with T1219.002 for deeper attack path","T1219.003":"Chain with T1219.003 for deeper attack path"}

T1219 Remote Access Tools

High-Level Description

An adversary may use legitimate remote access tools to establish an interactive command and control channel within a network. Remote access tools create a session between two trusted hosts through a graphical interface, a command line interaction, a protocol tunnel via development or management software, or hardware-level access such as KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) over IP solutions. Desktop support software (usually graphical interface) and remote management software (typically command line interface) allow a user to control a computer remotely as if they are a local user inheriting the user or software permissions. This software is commonly used for troubleshooting, software installation, and system management. Adversaries may similarly abuse response features included in EDR and other defensive tools that enable remote access.

Remote access tools may be installed and used post-compromise as an alternate communications channel for redundant access or to establish an interactive remote desktop session with the target system. It may also be used as a malware component to establish a reverse connection or back-connect to a service or adversary-controlled system.

Installation of many remote access tools may also include persistence (e.g., the software's installation routine creates a Windows Service). Remote access modules/features may also exist as part of otherwise existing software (e.g., Google Chrome’s Remote Desktop).

Kill Chain Phase

• Command and Control (TA0011)

Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows

What to Check

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

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: TeamViewer Files Detected Test on Windows

An adversary may attempt to trick the user into downloading teamviewer and using this to maintain access to the machine. Download of TeamViewer installer will be at the destination location when sucessfully executed.