t1582-sms-control

name	T1582_sms-control
description	Adversaries may delete, alter, or send SMS messages without user authorization.
category	business-logic
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","mobile","t1582","impact","android"]
technique_id	T1582
tactic	impact
all_tactics	["impact"]
platforms	["Android"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1582
tech_stack	["android"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-400"]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

T1582 SMS Control

High-Level Description

Adversaries may delete, alter, or send SMS messages without user authorization. This could be used to hide C2 SMS messages, spread malware, or various external effects.

This can be accomplished by requesting the RECEIVE_SMS or SEND_SMS permissions depending on what the malware is attempting to do. If the app is set as the default SMS handler on the device, the SMS_DELIVER broadcast intent can be registered, which allows the app to write to the SMS content provider. The content provider directly modifies the messaging database on the device, which could allow malicious applications with this ability to insert, modify, or delete arbitrary messages on the device.

Kill Chain Phase

• Impact (TA0034)

Platforms: Android

What to Check

• Identify if SMS Control technique is applicable to target mobile environment
• Check Android devices for indicators of SMS Control
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (1 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Identify Attack Surface

Determine if the target mobile environment is susceptible to SMS Control by examining the target platforms (Android).

Assess Existing Defenses

Review whether mitigations for T1582 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

Remediation Guide

M1011 User Guidance

Users should be encouraged to be very careful with what applications they grant SMS access to. Further, users should not change their default SMS handler to applications they do not recognize.

Detection

Detection of SMS Control

Risk Assessment

Finding	Severity	Impact
SMS Control technique applicable	Low	Impact

CWE Categories

CWE ID	Title
CWE-400	Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

References