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Adversaries may attempt to get information about running processes on a system.
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macOS post-exploitation for credential harvesting, DTrace monitoring, TCC bypass, and stealth operations via native tools
Windows userland post-exploitation for credential harvesting, monitoring, AMSI/ETW bypass, and stealth operations
Kubernetes post-exploitation for container escape, secret extraction, RBAC abuse, and cluster persistence
Based on SOC occupation classification
Showing SKILL.md
| name | T1057_process-discovery |
| description | Adversaries may attempt to get information about running processes on a system. |
| category | information-gathering |
| version | 18.1 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1057","discovery","esxi","linux","macos","network-devices","windows"] |
| technique_id | T1057 |
| tactic | discovery |
| all_tactics | ["discovery"] |
| platforms | ["ESXi","Linux","macOS","Network Devices","Windows"] |
| mitre_url | https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1057 |
| tech_stack | ["esxi","linux","macos","network devices","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-200"] |
| chains_with | [] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {} |
Adversaries may attempt to get information about running processes on a system. Information obtained could be used to gain an understanding of common software/applications running on systems within the network. Administrator or otherwise elevated access may provide better process details. Adversaries may use the information from Process Discovery during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.
In Windows environments, adversaries could obtain details on running processes using the Tasklist utility via cmd or Get-Process via PowerShell. Information about processes can also be extracted from the output of Native API calls such as CreateToolhelp32Snapshot. In Mac and Linux, this is accomplished with the ps command. Adversaries may also opt to enumerate processes via /proc. ESXi also supports use of the ps command, as well as esxcli system process list.
On network devices, Network Device CLI commands such as show processes can be used to display current running processes.
Platforms: ESXi, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows
The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:
Utilize ps to identify processes.
Upon successful execution, sh will execute ps and output to /tmp/loot.txt.
Supported Platforms: linux, macos
ps >> #{output_file}
ps aux >> #{output_file}
Utilize tasklist to identify processes.
Upon successful execution, cmd.exe will execute tasklist.exe to list processes. Output will be via stdout.
Supported Platforms: windows
tasklist
Utilize Get-Process PowerShell cmdlet to identify processes.
Upon successful execution, powershell.exe will execute Get-Process to list processes. Output will be via stdout.
Supported Platforms: windows
Get-Process
Utilize get-wmiObject PowerShell cmdlet to identify processes.
Upon successful execution, powershell.exe will execute get-wmiObject to list processes. Output will be via stdout.
Supported Platforms: windows
get-wmiObject -class Win32_Process
Utilize windows management instrumentation to identify processes.
Upon successful execution, WMIC will execute process to list processes. Output will be via stdout.
Supported Platforms: windows
wmic process get /format:list
If Atomic Red Team tests are not applicable, manually verify the technique by:
Identify Attack Surface: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to Process Discovery by examining the target platforms (ESXi, Linux, macOS).
Assess Existing Defenses: Review whether mitigations for T1057 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.
Execute Test: Use tools and methods described in the MITRE ATT&CK page and external references below.
No specific mitigations documented for this technique.
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Process Discovery technique applicable | Medium | Discovery |
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-200 | Exposure of Sensitive Information |