MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique

T1021.005 VNC

Published 2020-02-11 Modified 2025-10-24 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Lateral Movement
Platforms
Linux, Windows, macOS
Version
1.2
Created
2020-02-11

Description

Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to remotely control machines using Virtual Network Computing (VNC). VNC is a platform-independent desktop sharing system that uses the RFB (“remote framebuffer”) protocol to enable users to remotely control another computer’s display by relaying the screen, mouse, and keyboard inputs over the network. VNC differs from Remote Desktop Protocol as VNC is screen-sharing software rather than resource-sharing software. By default, VNC uses the system's authentication, but it can be configured to use credentials specific to VNC. Adversaries may abuse VNC to perform malicious actions as the logged-on user such as opening documents, downloading files, and running arbitrary commands. An adversary could use VNC to remotely control and monitor a system to collect data and information to pivot to other systems within the network. Specific VNC libraries/implementations have also been susceptible to brute force attacks and memory usage exploitation.

Related

Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • T1021 Remote Services technique

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • TA0008 Lateral Movement tactic

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (4)

  • M1033 Limit Software Installation mitigation
  • M1037 Filter Network Traffic mitigation
  • M1042 Disable or Remove Feature or Program mitigation
  • M1047 Audit mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (11)

  • S1160 Latrodectus software (malware)
  • S1014 DanBot software (malware)
  • S0670 WarzoneRAT software (malware)
  • G0117 Fox Kitten group
  • S0484 Carberp software (malware)
  • S0412 ZxShell software (malware)
  • S0266 TrickBot software (malware)
  • S0279 Proton software (malware)
  • G0036 GCMAN group
  • G0046 FIN7 group
  • G0047 Gamaredon Group group

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (28)

  • CIS-13.4 Perform Traffic Filtering Between Network Segments CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-2.3 Address Unauthorized Software CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-4.4 Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-4.5 Implement and Manage a Firewall on End-User Devices CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-4.6 Securely Manage Enterprise Assets and Software CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-4.8 Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • NIST-AC-17 Remote Access NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-2 Account Management NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-3 Access Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-6 Least Privilege NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CA-7 Continuous Monitoring NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-11 User-installed Software NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-2 Baseline Configuration NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-3 Configuration Change Control NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-5 Access Restrictions for Change NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-6 Configuration Settings NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-7 Least Functionality NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-8 System Component Inventory NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-2 Identification and Authentication (Organizational Users) NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-4 Identifier Management NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-6 Authentication Feedback NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-7 Boundary Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-10 Information Input Validation NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-15 Information Output Filtering NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-3 Malicious Code Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-4 System Monitoring NIST 800-53 control

References