Access Token Manipulation: Create Process with Token
Other sub-techniques of Access Token Manipulation (5)
ID | Name |
---|---|
T1134.001 | Token Impersonation/Theft |
T1134.002 | Create Process with Token |
T1134.003 | Make and Impersonate Token |
T1134.004 | Parent PID Spoofing |
T1134.005 | SID-History Injection |
Adversaries may create a new process with a duplicated token to escalate privileges and bypass access controls. An adversary can duplicate a desired access token with DuplicateToken(Ex)
and use it with CreateProcessWithTokenW
to create a new process running under the security context of the impersonated user. This is useful for creating a new process under the security context of a different user.
Procedure Examples
Name | Description |
---|---|
Aria-body |
Aria-body has the ability to execute a process using |
Azorult |
Azorult can call WTSQueryUserToken and CreateProcessAsUser to start a new process with local system privileges.[2] |
Bankshot |
Bankshot grabs a user token using WTSQueryUserToken and then creates a process by impersonating a logged-on user.[3] |
Empire | |
KONNI |
KONNI has duplicated the token of a high integrity process to spawn an instance of cmd.exe under an impersonated user.[5] |
Lazarus Group |
Lazarus Group keylogger KiloAlfa obtains user tokens from interactive sessions to execute itself with API call |
PipeMon |
PipeMon can attempt to gain administrative privileges using token impersonation.[8] |
PoshC2 | |
REvil |
REvil can launch an instance of itself with administrative rights using runas.[10] |
Turla |
Turla RPC backdoors can impersonate or steal process tokens before executing commands.[11] |
ZxShell |
ZxShell has a command called RunAs, which creates a new process as another user or process context.[12] |
Mitigations
Mitigation | Description |
---|---|
Privileged Account Management |
Limit permissions so that users and user groups cannot create tokens. This setting should be defined for the local system account only. GPO: Computer Configuration > [Policies] > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment: Create a token object. [13] Also define who can create a process level token to only the local and network service through GPO: Computer Configuration > [Policies] > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment: Replace a process level token.[14] Administrators should log in as a standard user but run their tools with administrator privileges using the built-in access token manipulation command |
User Account Management |
An adversary must already have administrator level access on the local system to make full use of this technique; be sure to restrict users and accounts to the least privileges they require. |
Detection
If an adversary is using a standard command-line shell, analysts can detect token manipulation by auditing command-line activity. Specifically, analysts should look for use of the runas
command. Detailed command-line logging is not enabled by default in Windows.[16]
If an adversary is using a payload that calls the Windows token APIs directly, analysts can detect token manipulation only through careful analysis of user network activity, examination of running processes, and correlation with other endpoint and network behavior.
Analysts can also monitor for use of Windows APIs such as DuplicateToken(Ex)
and CreateProcessWithTokenW
and correlate activity with other suspicious behavior to reduce false positives that may be due to normal benign use by users and administrators.
References
- CheckPoint. (2020, May 7). Naikon APT: Cyber Espionage Reloaded. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Yan, T., et al. (2018, November 21). New Wine in Old Bottle: New Azorult Variant Found in FindMyName Campaign using Fallout Exploit Kit. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- Sherstobitoff, R. (2018, March 08). Hidden Cobra Targets Turkish Financial Sector With New Bankshot Implant. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- Schroeder, W., Warner, J., Nelson, M. (n.d.). Github PowerShellEmpire. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- Karmi, D. (2020, January 4). A Look Into Konni 2019 Campaign. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- Novetta Threat Research Group. (2016, February 24). Operation Blockbuster: Unraveling the Long Thread of the Sony Attack. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- Novetta Threat Research Group. (2016, February 24). Operation Blockbuster: Tools Report. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- Tartare, M. et al. (2020, May 21). No “Game over” for the Winnti Group. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- Nettitude. (2018, July 23). Python Server for PoshC2. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- Counter Threat Unit Research Team. (2019, September 24). REvil/Sodinokibi Ransomware. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- Faou, M. and Dumont R.. (2019, May 29). A dive into Turla PowerShell usage. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
- Allievi, A., et al. (2014, October 28). Threat Spotlight: Group 72, Opening the ZxShell. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- Brower, N., Lich, B. (2017, April 19). Create a token object. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- Brower, N., Lich, B. (2017, April 19). Replace a process level token. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- Microsoft TechNet. (n.d.). Runas. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- Mathers, B. (2017, March 7). Command line process auditing. Retrieved April 21, 2017.