Adversaries may abuse command and script interpreters to execute commands, scripts, or binaries. These interfaces and languages provide ways of interacting with computer systems and are a common feature across many different platforms within industrial control system environments. Most systems come with some built-in command-line interface and scripting capabilities, for example, macOS and Linux distributions include some flavor of Unix Shell while Windows installations include the Windows Command Shell and PowerShell. Some also have cross-platform interpreters such as Python, as well as those commonly associated with client applications such as JavaScript and Visual Basic. Many controllers have command-line interfaces for management purposes.
Adversaries may abuse these technologies in various ways as a means of executing arbitrary commands. Commands and scripts can be embedded in Initial Access payloads delivered to victims as lure documents or as secondary payloads downloaded from an existing C2. Adversaries may also execute commands through interactive terminals/shells, as well as utilize various Remote Services (e.g., Telnet, SSH, RDP, etc.) often found in industrial control system environments to achieve remote Execution.[1],[2],[3]
References
- Microsoft. (2020, August 21). Running Remote Commands. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
- Cisco. (n.d.). Cisco IOS Software Integrity Assurance - Command History. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- Abdou Rockikz. (2020, July). How to Execute Shell Commands in a Remote Machine in Python. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
Podúlohy
| Názov | Popis |
|---|---|
| Unix Shell | Adversaries may abuse Unix shell commands and scripts for execution. Unix shells are the primary command prompt on Linux, macOS, and ESXi systems, though many variations of the Unix shell exist (e.g. sh, ash, bash, zsh, etc.) depending on the specific OS or distribution.[1],[2] Unix shells can control every aspect of a system, with certain commands requiring elevated privileges. Unix shells also support scripts that enable sequential execution of commands as well as other typical programming operations such as conditionals and loops. Common uses of shell scripts include long or repetitive tasks, or the need to run the same set of commands on multiple systems. Adversaries may abuse Unix shells to execute various commands or payloads. Interactive shells may be accessed through command and control channels or during lateral movement such as with Remote Services. Adversaries may also leverage shell scripts to deliver and execute multiple commands on victims or as part of payloads used for persistence. Within Industrial control system networks, workstations, control servers, hypervisors, networking devices, and embedded devices that run on linux platforms may allow for Unix command shell access or stripped-down shells to implement a subset of commands. Industrial automation equipment generally does not offer command shells as a native user interface. References |
| JavaScript | Adversaries may abuse various implementations of JavaScript for execution. JavaScript is a platform-independent scripting language (compiled just-in-time at runtime) commonly associated with scripts in webpages, though JavaScript can be executed in runtime environments outside the browser.[1] JScript is the Microsoft implementation of the same scripting standard. JScript is interpreted via the Windows Script engine and thus integrated with many components of Windows such as the Component Object Model and Internet Explorer HTML Application (HTA) pages.[2],[3],[4] Adversaries may abuse various implementations of JavaScript to execute various behaviors. Common uses include hosting malicious scripts on websites as part of a Drive-by Compromise or downloading and executing these script files as secondary payloads. Since these payloads are text-based, it is also very common for adversaries to obfuscate their content as part of Obfuscated Files or Information. Within industrial control system networks, adversaries most commonly abuse the use of JavaScript on overlap assets that run on operating system platforms similar to Enterprise devices. References
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| Python | Adversaries may abuse Python commands and scripts for execution. Python is a very popular scripting/programming language, with capabilities to perform many functions. Python can be executed interactively from the command-line (via the Python comes with many built-in packages to interact with the underlying system, such as file operations and device I/O. Within industrial control system environments, Python libraries have been developed to implement multiple ICS protocols to establish communications with field devices. Adversaries can use these libraries or develop their own to execute commands on workstation, control server assets or send remote command messages to manipulate the industrial process through exisiting ICS protocols. References |
| PowerShell | Adversaries may abuse PowerShell commands and scripts for execution. PowerShell is a powerful interactive command-line interface and scripting environment included in the Windows operating system.[1] Adversaries can use PowerShell to perform a number of actions, including discovery of information and execution of code. Examples include the PowerShell may also be used to download and run executables from the Internet, which can be executed from disk or in memory without touching disk. PowerShell commands/scripts can also be executed without directly invoking the Within industrial control system networks, adversaries may abuse the use of PowerShell on overlap assets that run on Microsoft Windows operating systems (Workstations, Data Historians, Human Machine Interfaces, Application Servers, Jump Hosts, etc.). References
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| Windows Command Shell | Adversaries may abuse the Windows command shell for execution. The Windows command shell (cmd) is the primary command prompt on Windows systems which is used in industrial control system environments. The Windows command prompt can be used to control almost any aspect of a system, with various permission levels required for different subsets of commands. The command prompt can be invoked remotely via Remote Services (e.g., Telnet, SSH, RDP, etc.) Batch files (ex: .bat or .cmd) also provide the shell with a list of sequential commands to run, as well as normal scripting operations such as conditionals and loops. Common uses of batch files include long or repetitive tasks, or the need to run the same set of commands on multiple systems. Adversaries may leverage cmd to execute various commands and payloads. Common uses include cmd to execute a single command, or abusing cmd interactively with input and output forwarded over a command and control channel. Within industrial control system networks, adversaries may abuse the use of Windows Command Shell on overlap assets that run on Microsoft Windows operating systems (Workstations, Data Historians, Human Machine Interfaces, Application Servers, Jump Hosts, etc.). |
| Visual Basic | Adversaries may abuse Visual Basic (VB) for execution. VB is a programming language created by Microsoft with interoperability with many Windows technologies such as Component Object Model and the Native API through the Windows API. Although tagged as legacy with no planned future evolutions, VB is integrated and supported in the .NET Framework and cross-platform .NET Core.[1],[2] Derivative languages based on VB have also been created, such as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and VBScript. VBA is an event-driven programming language built into Microsoft Office, as well as several third-party applications.[3],[4] VBA enables documents to contain macros used to automate the execution of tasks and other functionality on the host. VBScript is a default scripting language on Windows hosts and can also be used in place of JavaScript on HTML Application (HTA) webpages served to Internet Explorer (though most modern browsers do not come with VBScript support).[5] Adversaries may use VB payloads to execute malicious commands. Common malicious usage includes automating execution of behaviors with VBScript or embedding VBA content into Spearphishing Attachment payloads (which may also involve Mark-of-the-Web Bypass to enable execution). Within industrial control system networks, adversaries may abuse the use of VB and VBScript on overlap assets that run on Microsoft Windows operating systems, especially in cases where legacy versions are still used in operations (Workstations, Data Historians, Human Machine Interfaces, Application Servers, Jump Hosts, etc.). References
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