MITRE ATT&CKtechnique

T0874 Hooking

Published 2020-05-21 Modified 2026-10-13 Official page ↗

Domain: ics
Tactics: Execution, Privilege Escalation
Platforms: Embedded, Windows, Linux, Network Devices
Version: 1.2
Created: 2020-05-21

Description

Adversaries may hook into application programming interface (API) functions used by processes to redirect calls for execution and privilege escalation means. Windows processes often leverage these API functions to perform tasks that require reusable system resources. Windows API functions are typically stored in dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) as exported functions. One type of hooking seen in ICS involves redirecting calls to these functions via import address table (IAT) hooking. IAT hooking uses modifications to a process IAT, where pointers to imported API functions are stored.

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (2)

TA0111 Privilege Escalation tactic
TA0104 Execution tactic

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (2)

M0944 Restrict Library Loading mitigation
M0947 Audit mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (2)

S0603 Stuxnet software (malware)
S1009 Triton software (malware)

References

https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1179/ Enterprise ATT&CK
https://docs.broadcom.com/doc/security-response-w32-stuxnet-dossier-11-en Nicolas Falliere, Liam O Murchu, Eric Chien February 2011