| name | T0843_program-download |
| description | Adversaries may perform a program download to transfer a user program to a controller. |
| category | authorization |
| version | 18.1 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["mitre-attack","ics","t0843","lateral-movement"] |
| technique_id | T0843 |
| tactic | lateral-movement |
| all_tactics | ["lateral-movement"] |
| platforms | ["ICS"] |
| mitre_url | https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T0843 |
| tech_stack | ["ics"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-284"] |
| chains_with | [] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {} |
T0843 Program Download
High-Level Description
Adversaries may perform a program download to transfer a user program to a controller.
Variations of program download, such as online edit and program append, allow a controller to continue running during the transfer and reconfiguration process without interruption to process control. However, before starting a full program download (i.e., download all) a controller may need to go into a stop state. This can have negative consequences on the physical process, especially if the controller is not able to fulfill a time-sensitive action. Adversaries may choose to avoid a download all in favor of an online edit or program append to avoid disrupting the physical process. An adversary may need to use the technique Detect Operating Mode or Change Operating Mode to make sure the controller is in the proper mode to accept a program download.
The granularity of control to transfer a user program in whole or parts is dictated by the management protocol (e.g., S7CommPlus, TriStation) and underlying controller API. Thus, program download is a high-level term for the suite of vendor-specific API calls used to configure a controllers user program memory space.
Modify Controller Tasking and Modify Program represent the configuration changes that are transferred to a controller via a program download.
Kill Chain Phase
- Lateral Movement (TA0109)
Platforms: ICS
What to Check
How to Test
Identify Attack Surface
Determine if the target ICS/SCADA environment is susceptible to Program Download by examining operational technology systems and network architecture.
Assess Existing Defenses
Review whether mitigations for T0843 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable in the ICS environment.
Remediation Guide
M0813 Software Process and Device Authentication
Authenticate connections from software and devices to prevent unauthorized systems from accessing protected management functions.
M0947 Audit
Provide the ability to verify the integrity of programs downloaded on a controller. While techniques like CRCs and checksums are commonly used, they are not cryptographically secure and can be vulnerable to collisions. Preferably cryptographic hash functions (e.g., SHA-2, SHA-3) should be used.
