t1547-boot-or-logon-autostart-execution

name	T1547_boot-or-logon-autostart-execution
description	Adversaries may configure system settings to automatically execute a program during system boot or logon to maintain persistence or gain higher-level privileges on compromised systems.
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1547","persistence","privilege-escalation","linux","macos","windows","network-devices"]
technique_id	T1547
tactic	persistence
all_tactics	["persistence","privilege-escalation"]
platforms	["Linux","macOS","Windows","Network Devices"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1547
tech_stack	["linux","macos","windows","network devices"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-276"]
chains_with	["T1547.001","T1547.002","T1547.003","T1547.004","T1547.005","T1547.006","T1547.007","T1547.008","T1547.009","T1547.010","T1547.012","T1547.013","T1547.014","T1547.015"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{"T1547.001":"Chain with T1547.001 for deeper attack path","T1547.002":"Chain with T1547.002 for deeper attack path","T1547.003":"Chain with T1547.003 for deeper attack path"}

T1547 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

High-Level Description

Adversaries may configure system settings to automatically execute a program during system boot or logon to maintain persistence or gain higher-level privileges on compromised systems. Operating systems may have mechanisms for automatically running a program on system boot or account logon. These mechanisms may include automatically executing programs that are placed in specially designated directories or are referenced by repositories that store configuration information, such as the Windows Registry. An adversary may achieve the same goal by modifying or extending features of the kernel.

Since some boot or logon autostart programs run with higher privileges, an adversary may leverage these to elevate privileges.

Kill Chain Phase

• Persistence (TA0003)
• Privilege Escalation (TA0004)

Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows, Network Devices

What to Check

• Identify if Boot or Logon Autostart Execution technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Linux systems for indicators of Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
• Check macOS systems for indicators of Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
• 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: Add a driver

Install a driver via pnputil.exe lolbin

Supported Platforms: windows

pnputil.exe /add-driver "#{driver_inf}"

Atomic Test 2: Driver Installation Using pnputil.exe

pnputil.exe is a native command-line utility in Windows to install drivers, this can be abused by to install malicious drivers. Ref: https://lolbas-project.github.io/lolbas/Binaries/Pnputil/

Supported Platforms: windows

pnputil.exe -i -a #{driver_path}

Atomic Test 3: Leverage Virtual Channels to execute custom DLL during successful RDP session