MITRE ATT&CKtechnique

T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information

Published 2017-05-31 Modified 2026-09-11 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Stealth
Platforms
ESXi, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows
Version
2.0
Created
2017-05-31

Description

Adversaries may attempt to make an executable or file difficult to discover or analyze by encrypting, encoding, or otherwise obfuscating its contents on the system or in transit. This is common behavior that can be used across different platforms and the network to evade defenses. Payloads may be compressed, archived, or encrypted in order to avoid detection. These payloads may be used during Initial Access or later to mitigate detection. Sometimes a user's action may be required to open and Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information for User Execution. The user may also be required to input a password to open a password protected compressed/encrypted file that was provided by the adversary. Adversaries may also use compressed or archived scripts, such as JavaScript. Portions of files can also be encoded to hide the plain-text strings that would otherwise help defenders with discovery. Payloads may also be split into separate, seemingly benign files that only reveal malicious functionality when reassembled. Adversaries may also abuse Command Obfuscation to obscure commands executed from payloads or directly via Command and Scripting Interpreter. Environment variables, aliases, characters, and other platform/language specific semantics can be used to evade signature based detections and application control mechanisms.

Related

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (4)

  • M1040 Behavior Prevention on Endpoint mitigation
  • M1047 Audit mitigation
  • M1049 Antivirus/Antimalware mitigation
  • M1017 User Training mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · subtechnique of (18)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (165)

  • G1059 NIMBUS MANTICORE group
  • S9062 MiniBrowse software (malware)
  • S9053 MiniJunk software (malware)
  • S9051 The Gentlemen Ransomware software (malware)
  • S9050 Vidar software (malware)
  • S9037 RustyWater software (malware)
  • S9033 Fooder software (malware)
  • S9027 ANELLDR software (malware)
  • S9020 LODEINFO software (malware)
  • S9025 NOOPLDR software (malware)
  • S9015 BRICKSTORM software (malware)
  • S9008 Shai-Hulud software (malware)
  • S9007 HTTPTroy software (malware)
  • C0057 3CX Supply Chain Attack campaign
  • S1228 PUBLOAD software (malware)
  • S1226 BOOKWORM software (malware)
  • S1213 Lumma Stealer software (malware)
  • S1183 StrelaStealer software (malware)
  • G1039 RedCurl group
  • S1161 BPFDoor software (malware)
  • G1036 Moonstone Sleet group
  • S1149 CHIMNEYSWEEP software (malware)
  • S1138 Gootloader software (malware)
  • S1130 Raspberry Robin software (malware)
  • S1118 BUSHWALK software (malware)
  • S1111 DarkGate software (malware)
  • S1105 COATHANGER software (malware)
  • S1104 SLOWPULSE software (malware)
  • S1099 Samurai software (malware)
  • S1090 NightClub software (malware)
Show all 165 ›

Referenced by CAPEC · att&ck technique (2)

  • CAPEC-267 Leverage Alternate Encoding attack pattern
  • CAPEC-542 Targeted Malware attack pattern

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (12)

  • CIS-10.1 Deploy and Maintain Anti-Malware Software CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-10.7 Use Behavior-Based Anti-Malware Software CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-13.7 Deploy a Host-Based Intrusion Prevention Solution CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-9.7 Deploy and Maintain Email Server Anti-Malware Protections CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • NIST-AC-3 Access Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-2 Baseline Configuration NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-6 Configuration Settings NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-7 Least Functionality NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-2 Flaw Remediation NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-3 Malicious Code Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-4 System Monitoring NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-7 Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity NIST 800-53 control

References