t1636-004-sms-messages

name	T1636.004_sms-messages
description	Adversaries may utilize standard operating system APIs to gather SMS messages.
category	information-gathering
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","mobile","t1636.004","collection","android","ios","sub-technique"]
technique_id	T1636.004
tactic	collection
all_tactics	["collection"]
platforms	["Android","iOS"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1636/004
tech_stack	["android","ios"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-200"]
chains_with	["T1636","T1636.001","T1636.002","T1636.003","T1636.005"]
prerequisites	["T1636"]
severity_boost	{"T1636":"Chain with T1636 for deeper attack path","T1636.001":"Chain with T1636.001 for deeper attack path","T1636.002":"Chain with T1636.002 for deeper attack path"}

T1636.004 SMS Messages

Sub-technique of: T1636

High-Level Description

Adversaries may utilize standard operating system APIs to gather SMS messages. On Android, this can be accomplished using the SMS Content Provider. iOS provides no standard API to access SMS messages.

If the device has been jailbroken or rooted, an adversary may be able to access SMS Messages without the user’s knowledge or approval.

Kill Chain Phase

• Collection (TA0035)

Platforms: Android, iOS

What to Check

• Identify if SMS Messages technique is applicable to target mobile environment
• Check Android devices for indicators of SMS Messages
• Check iOS devices for indicators of SMS Messages
• 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 Messages by examining the target platforms (Android, iOS).

Assess Existing Defenses

Review whether mitigations for T1636.004 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

Remediation Guide

M1011 User Guidance

Access to SMS messages is an uncommonly needed permission, so users should be instructed to use extra scrutiny when granting access to their SMS messages.

Detection

Detection of SMS Messages

Risk Assessment

Finding	Severity	Impact
SMS Messages technique applicable	Low	Collection

CWE Categories

CWE ID	Title
CWE-200	Exposure of Sensitive Information

References

• NIST Mobile Threat Catalogue
• MITRE ATT&CK Mobile - T1636.004