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Home/ATT&CK/M1038
MITRE ATT&CK Mitigation

M1038: Execution Prevention

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Prevent the execution of unauthorized or malicious code on systems by implementing application control, script blocking, and other execution prevention mechanisms. This ensures that only trusted and authorized code is executed, reducing the risk of malware and unauthorized actions. This mitigation can be implemented through the following measures: Application Control: - Use Case: Use tools like AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) to create whitelists of authorized applications and block unauthorized ones. On Linux, use tools like SELinux or AppArmor to define mandatory access control policies for application execution. - Implementation: Allow only digitally signed or pre-approved applications to execute on servers and endpoints. (e.g., `New-AppLockerPolicy -PolicyType Enforced -FilePath "C:\Policies\AppLocker.xml"`) Script Blocking: - Use Case: Use script control mechanisms to block unauthorized execution of scripts, such as PowerShell or JavaScript. Web Browsers: Use browser extensions or settings to block JavaScript execution from untrusted sources. - Implementation: Configure PowerShell to enforce Constrained Language Mode for non-administrator users. (e.g., `Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned`) Executable Blocking: - Use Case: Prevent execution of binaries from suspicious locations, such as `%TEMP%` or `%APPDATA%` directories. - Implementation: Block execution of `.exe`, `.bat`, or `.ps1` files from user-writable directories. Dynamic Analysis Prevention: - Use Case: Use behavior-based execution prevention tools to identify and block malicious activity in real time. - Implemenation: Employ EDR solutions that analyze runtime behavior and block suspicious code execution.

▪Techniques addressed (82)

T1219.001IDE TunnelingT1216.002SyncAppvPublishingServerT1553.003SIP and Trust Provider Hijacking

▪Reference

M1038 on MITRE ATT&CK
T1059.010AutoHotKey & AutoIT
T1036.005Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location
T1574.008Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking
T1574.006Dynamic Linker Hijacking
T1546.002Screensaver
T1564.003Hidden Window
T1553Subvert Trust Controls
T1176.002IDE Extensions
T1218.005Mshta
T1059.005Visual Basic
T1218.004InstallUtil
T1204User Execution
T1574.001DLL
T1204.004Malicious Copy and Paste
T1685.007Impair Autonomous Defenses
T1129Shared Modules
T1218.009Regsvcs/Regasm
T1548Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
T1548.004Elevated Execution with Prompt
T1611Escape to Host
T1216.001PubPrn
T1547.009Shortcut Modification
T1218.012Verclsid
T1106Native API
T1698Indirect Prompt Injection
T1127.003JamPlus
T1218.015Electron Applications
T1219Remote Access Tools
T1216System Script Proxy Execution
T1047Windows Management Instrumentation
T1674Input Injection
T1059.007JavaScript
T1204.002Malicious File
T1546.010AppInit DLLs
T1059.004Unix Shell
T1574Hijack Execution Flow
T1505.004IIS Components
T1547.004Winlogon Helper DLL
T1699Direct Prompt Injection
T1059.002AppleScript
T1553.001Gatekeeper Bypass
T1036.008Masquerade File Type
T1218.008Odbcconf
T1685Disable or Modify Tools
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter
T1574.007Path Interception by PATH Environment Variable
T1127Trusted Developer Utilities Proxy Execution
T1490Inhibit System Recovery
T1059.008Network Device CLI
T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
T1218.002Control Panel
T1059.003Windows Command Shell
T1546.006LC_LOAD_DYLIB Addition
T1220XSL Script Processing
T1080Taint Shared Content
T1059.009Cloud API
T1547.006Kernel Modules and Extensions
T1574.009Path Interception by Unquoted Path
T1059.006Python
T1059.013Container CLI/API
T1059.011Lua
T1127.001MSBuild
T1574.012COR_PROFILER
T1546.008Accessibility Features
T1546.009AppCert DLLs
T1176Software Extensions
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
T1176.001Browser Extensions
T1553.005Mark-of-the-Web Bypass
T1218.003CMSTP
T1219.002Remote Desktop Software
T1036Masquerading
T1218.014MMC
T1218.001Compiled HTML File
T1218.013Mavinject
T1564.006Run Virtual Instance
T1609Container Administration Command
T1685.003Modify or Spoof Tool UI
T1059.001PowerShell

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