CAPEC-638 Altered Component Firmware

An adversary exploits systems features and/or improperly protected firmware of hardware components, such as Hard Disk Drives (HDD), with the goal of executing malicious code from within the component's Master Boot Record (MBR). Conducting this type of attack entails the adversary infecting the target with firmware altering malware, using known tools, and a payload. Once this malware is executed, the MBR is modified to include instructions to execute the payload at desired intervals and when the system is booted up. A successful attack will obtain persistence within the victim system even if the operating system is reinstalled and/or if the component is formatted or has its data erased.

1. [Explore] [Select Target] The adversary searches for a suitable target to attack, such as government and/or private industry organizations. 2. [Explore] [Identify Components] After selecting a target, the adversary determines whether a vulnerable component, such as a specific make and model of a HDD, is contained within the target system. 3. [Experiment] [Optional: Create Payload] If not using an already existing payload, the adversary creates their own to be executed at defined intervals and upon system boot processes. This payload may then be tested on the target system or a test system to confirm its functionality. 4. [Exploit] [Insert Firmware Altering Malware] Once a vulnerable component has been identified, the adversary leverages known malware tools to infect the component's firmware and drop the payload within the component's MBR. This allows the adversary to maintain persistence on the target and execute the payload without being detected.

• Advanced knowledge about the target component's firmware • Advanced knowledge about Master Boot Records (MBR) • Advanced knowledge about tools used to insert firmware altering malware. • Advanced knowledge about component shipments to the target organization.

• [High] Ability to access and reverse engineer hardware component firmware. • [High] Ability to intercept components in transit. • [Medium] Ability to create malicious payload to be executed from MBR. • [Low] Ability to leverage known malware tools to infect target system and insert firmware altering malware/payload

• Authentication, Authorization: Gain Privileges, Execute Unauthorized Commands, Bypass Protection Mechanism, Hide Activities • Confidentiality, Access Control: Read Data, Modify Data

• Leverage hardware components known to not be susceptible to these types of attacks. • Implement hardware RAID infrastructure.