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Every technique
T1136Detection written

Create Account

PersistenceWindows, IaaS, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Containers, SaaS, Office Suite, Identity Provider, ESXi

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 create an account to maintain access to victim systems. With a sufficient level of access, creating such accounts may be used to establish secondary credentialed access that do not require persistent remote access tools to be deployed on the system. Accounts may be created on the local system or within a domain or cloud tenant. In cloud environments, adversaries may create accounts that only have access to specific services, which can reduce the chance of detection.

Read it on attack.mitre.org

What MITRE says you would watch

  • AN1604

    Adversary uses built-in OS tools or API calls to create local or domain accounts for persistence or lateral movement. Tools such as 'net user', PowerShell, or MMC snap-ins may be used. Detection focuses on Event ID 4720 paired with process lineage and user context.

  • AN1605

    Adversary invokes 'useradd', 'adduser', or equivalent system commands or scripts to create local users. Detection focuses on command execution and audit trail of passwd/shadow file modifications.

  • AN1606

    Adversary creates new users using 'dscl' commands, GUI tools, or by modifying user plist files. Detection includes monitoring dscl invocation and user-related plist changes.

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