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Every technique
T1036.004Detection written

Masquerade Task or Service

StealthLinux, macOS, Windows

Where this stands

One published detection covers this technique. Every one is unverified — no rule on Siemphony has been executed against real telemetry.

What the technique is

Adversaries may attempt to manipulate the name of a task or service to make it appear legitimate or benign. Tasks/services executed by the Task Scheduler or systemd will typically be given a name and/or description. Windows services will have a service name as well as a display name. Many benign tasks and services exist that have commonly associated names. Adversaries may give tasks or services names that are similar or identical to those of legitimate ones. Tasks or services contain other fields, such as a description, that adversaries may attempt to make appear legitimate.

Read it on attack.mitre.org

What MITRE says you would watch

  • AN0324

    Creation or modification of Windows services or scheduled tasks with names or descriptions mimicking legitimate entries, followed by anomalous execution of untrusted binaries or LOLBAS.

  • AN0325

    Creation or modification of systemd service units or cron jobs using deceptive naming and untrusted command paths, often followed by lateral network activity or privilege escalation.

  • AN0326

    Creation of LaunchAgents or LaunchDaemons with names resembling known system services but executing non-Apple signed code or scripts.

Technique names and descriptions © MITRE ATT&CK®, CC BY 4.0. Not endorsed by MITRE.