Gold Open Source
ExplorePackagesVulnerabilitiesCWEsMCP ServersScan
Login
Gold Open Source

The authoritative source for production-ready open-source components. Every package, container image, AI model, and MCP server undergoes rigorous verification for security, malware, and license compliance.

Explore Gold

  • Explore Everything
  • Packages
  • Gold Certified Packages
  • Container Images
  • AI Models
  • MCP Servers
  • Agent Skills
  • Chip Manufacturers

Security Data & Tools

  • Scan Your Dependencies
  • Trending Threats
  • Threat RSS Feeds
  • CVE Database
  • Actively Exploited (KEV)
  • SGZ Zero-Days
  • CWE Index
  • MITRE ATT&CK
  • Malicious Packages
  • Security Glossary
  • Supply-Chain Report
  • Developers (API & Badge)
  • Chrome Extension
  • Credits & Data Sources

Products

  • The Platform
  • ESSCM
  • Portal
  • TPRM
  • OSM
  • Cowork
  • Code / Runner
  • Guard

Use Cases

  • Know Your Software
  • Auto-Fix Vulnerabilities
  • Asset Discovery
  • AI Governance
  • MCP Server Security
  • Supply Chain Compliance
  • Zero-Day Discovery
  • All Use Cases

Company

  • About
  • Pricing
  • Blog
  • Documentation
  • Safeguard Academy
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Gold Open Source. All rights reserved.

Built with care bySafeguard
Home/ATT&CK/T1205/T1205.001
MITRE ATT&CK Sub-Technique

T1205.001: Port Knocking

ShareXLinkedInRedditHN

Adversaries may use port knocking to hide open ports used for persistence or command and control. To enable a port, an adversary sends a series of attempted connections to a predefined sequence of closed ports. After the sequence is completed, opening a port is often accomplished by the host based firewall, but could also be implemented by custom software. This technique has been observed both for the dynamic opening of a listening port as well as the initiating of a connection to a listening server on a different system. The observation of the signal packets to trigger the communication can be conducted through different methods. One means, originally implemented by Cd00r (Citation: Hartrell cd00r 2002), is to use the libpcap libraries to sniff for the packets in question. Another method leverages raw sockets, which enables the malware to use ports that are already open for use by other programs.

Tactics
StealthPersistenceCommand and Control
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows

▪Parent technique

T1205: Traffic Signaling

▪Mitigations (1)

M1037Filter Network Traffic

Employ network appliances and endpoint software to filter ingress, egress, and lateral network traffic. This includes protocol-based filtering, enforcing firewall rules, and blocking or restricting traffic based on predefined conditions to limit adversary movement and data exfiltration. This mitigation can be implemented through the following measures: Ingress Traffic Filtering: - Use Case: Configure network firewalls to allow traffic only from authorized IP addresses to public-facing servers. - Implementation: Limit SSH (port 22) and RDP (port 3389) traffic to specific IP ranges. Egress Traffic Filtering: - Use Case: Use firewalls or endpoint security software to block unauthorized outbound traffic to prevent data exfiltration and command-and-control (C2) communications. - Implementation: Block outbound traffic to known malicious IPs or regions where communication is unexpected. Protocol-Based Filtering: - Use Case: Restrict the use of specific protocols that are commonly abused by adversaries, such as SMB, RPC, or Telnet, based on business needs. - Implementation: Disable SMBv1 on endpoints to prevent exploits like EternalBlue. Network Segmentation: - Use Case: Create network segments for critical systems and restrict communication between segments unless explicitly authorized. - Implementation: Implement VLANs to isolate IoT devices or guest networks from core business systems. Application Layer Filtering: - Use Case: Use proxy servers or Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to inspect and block malicious HTTP/S traffic. - Implementation: Configure a WAF to block SQL injection attempts or other web application exploitation techniques.

▪Used by groups (2)

G0056PROMETHIUMG1048UNC3886

▪Software using this technique (4)

S1059metaMainmalwareS1060MafaldamalwareS1204cd00rmalwareS1219REPTILEmalware

▪Reference

T1205.001on MITRE ATT&CK

MITRE ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. © 2026 The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation.