MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique

T1027.002 Software Packing

Published 2020-02-05 Modified 2026-09-11 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Stealth
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Windows
Version
2.0
Created
2020-02-05

Description

Adversaries may perform software packing or virtual machine software protection to conceal their code. Software packing is a method of compressing or encrypting an executable. Packing an executable changes the file signature in an attempt to avoid signature-based detection. Most decompression techniques decompress the executable code in memory. Virtual machine software protection translates an executable's original code into a special format that only a special virtual machine can run. A virtual machine is then called to run this code. Utilities used to perform software packing are called packers. Example packers are MPRESS and UPX. A more comprehensive list of known packers is available, but adversaries may create their own packing techniques that do not leave the same artifacts as well-known packers to evade defenses.

Related

Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information technique

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (1)

  • M1049 Antivirus/Antimalware mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (105)

  • G1058 The Gentlemen group
  • S9046 IOControl software (malware)
  • S9018 HeartCrypt software (malware)
  • G1053 Storm-0501 group
  • C0058 SharePoint ToolShell Exploitation campaign
  • G1051 Medusa Group group
  • S1240 RedLine Stealer software (malware)
  • S1210 Sagerunex software (malware)
  • S1207 XLoader software (malware)
  • S1202 LockBit 3.0 software (malware)
  • S1196 Troll Stealer software (malware)
  • S1183 StrelaStealer software (malware)
  • S1160 Latrodectus software (malware)
  • G1031 Saint Bear group
  • S1130 Raspberry Robin software (malware)
  • S1105 COATHANGER software (malware)
  • G1019 MoustachedBouncer group
  • G1018 TA2541 group
  • G1017 Volt Typhoon group
  • C0025 2016 Ukraine Electric Power Attack campaign
  • C0022 Operation Dream Job campaign
  • C0017 C0017 campaign
  • C0016 Operation Dust Storm campaign
  • C0005 Operation Spalax campaign
  • C0002 Night Dragon campaign
  • S1030 Squirrelwaffle software (malware)
  • S1026 Mongall software (malware)
  • G1007 Aoqin Dragon group
  • S1018 Saint Bot software (malware)
  • S0695 Donut software (tool)
Show all 105 ›

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (7)

  • 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-9.7 Deploy and Maintain Email Server Anti-Malware Protections CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • 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