CAPECattack pattern

CAPEC-534 Malicious Hardware Update

High Official page ↗
Abstraction
Standard
Status
Stable
Likelihood of attack
Low
Typical severity
High
CAPEC version
3.9

Description

An adversary introduces malicious hardware during an update or replacement procedure, allowing for additional compromise or site disruption at the victim location. After deployment, it is not uncommon for upgrades and replacements to occur involving hardware and various replaceable parts. These upgrades and replacements are intended to correct defects, provide additional features, and to replace broken or worn-out parts. However, by forcing or tricking the replacement of a good component with a defective or corrupted component, an adversary can leverage known defects to obtain a desired malicious impact.

Skills required

• [High] Able to develop and manufacture malicious hardware components that perform the same functions and processes as their non-malicious counterparts.

Related

Child of · CAPEC (1)

  • CAPEC-440 Hardware Integrity Attack attack pattern

Referenced by CAPEC · child of (2)

  • CAPEC-531 Hardware Component Substitution attack pattern
  • CAPEC-677 Server Motherboard Compromise attack pattern