MITRE ATT&CKtechnique

T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter

Published 2017-05-31 Modified 2026-05-12 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Execution
Platforms
Containers, ESXi, IaaS, Identity Provider, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Office Suite, SaaS, Windows
Version
2.7
Created
2017-05-31

Description

Adversaries may abuse command and script interpreters to execute commands, scripts, or binaries. These interfaces and languages provide ways of interacting with computer systems and are a common feature across many different platforms. Most systems come with some built-in command-line interface and scripting capabilities, for example, macOS and Linux distributions include some flavor of Unix Shell while Windows installations include the Windows Command Shell and PowerShell. There are also cross-platform interpreters such as Python, as well as those commonly associated with client applications such as JavaScript and Visual Basic. Adversaries may abuse these technologies in various ways as a means of executing arbitrary commands. Commands and scripts can be embedded in Initial Access payloads delivered to victims as lure documents or as secondary payloads downloaded from an existing C2. Adversaries may also execute commands through interactive terminals/shells, as well as utilize various Remote Services in order to achieve remote Execution.

Related

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (9)

  • M1033 Limit Software Installation mitigation
  • M1038 Execution Prevention mitigation
  • M1040 Behavior Prevention on Endpoint mitigation
  • M1042 Disable or Remove Feature or Program mitigation
  • M1045 Code Signing mitigation
  • M1047 Audit mitigation
  • M1049 Antivirus/Antimalware mitigation
  • M1021 Restrict Web-Based Content mitigation
  • M1026 Privileged Account Management mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · subtechnique of (13)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (45)

  • C0064 AI-Assisted Breach of Mexico's Government Infrastructure campaign
  • S9032 MuddyViper software (malware)
  • S1227 StarProxy software (malware)
  • C0053 FLORAHOX Activity campaign
  • S1192 NICECURL software (malware)
  • C0046 ArcaneDoor campaign
  • S1154 VersaMem software (malware)
  • S1151 ZeroCleare software (malware)
  • G1035 Winter Vivern group
  • G1031 Saint Bear group
  • S1130 Raspberry Robin software (malware)
  • C0029 Cutting Edge campaign
  • S1110 SLIGHTPULSE software (malware)
  • C0005 Operation Spalax campaign
  • S0695 Donut software (tool)
  • S0618 FIVEHANDS software (malware)
  • S0598 P.A.S. Webshell software (malware)
  • G0129 Mustang Panda group
  • G0124 Windigo group
  • G0117 Fox Kitten group
  • S0486 Bonadan software (malware)
  • S0487 Kessel software (malware)
  • S0460 Get2 software (malware)
  • G0107 Whitefly group
  • S0434 Imminent Monitor software (tool)
  • S0374 SpeakUp software (malware)
  • S0363 Empire software (tool)
  • G0087 APT39 group
  • S0330 Zeus Panda software (malware)
  • S0334 DarkComet software (malware)
Show all 45 ›

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (27)

  • 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-2.5 Allowlist Authorized Software CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-9.7 Deploy and Maintain Email Server Anti-Malware Protections 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-5 Separation of Duties 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-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-8 Identification and Authentication (Non-organizational Users) NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-9 Service Identification and Authentication NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-18 Mobile Code NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-10 Information Input Validation NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-16 Memory Protection 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