MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique

T1102.002 Bidirectional Communication

Published 2020-03-14 Modified 2026-09-03 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Command And Control
Platforms
ESXi, Linux, macOS, Windows
Version
1.1
Created
2020-03-14

Description

Adversaries may use an existing, legitimate external Web service as a means for sending commands to and receiving output from a compromised system over the Web service channel. Compromised systems may leverage popular websites and social media to host command and control (C2) instructions. Those infected systems can then send the output from those commands back over that Web service channel. The return traffic may occur in a variety of ways, depending on the Web service being utilized. For example, the return traffic may take the form of the compromised system posting a comment on a forum, issuing a pull request to development project, updating a document hosted on a Web service, or by sending a Tweet. Popular websites and social media acting as a mechanism for C2 may give a significant amount of cover due to the likelihood that hosts within a network are already communicating with them prior to a compromise. Using common services, such as those offered by Google or Twitter, makes it easier for adversaries to hide in expected noise. Web service providers commonly use SSL/TLS encryption, giving adversaries an added level of protection.

Related

Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • T1102 Web Service technique

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • TA0011 Command and Control tactic

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (2)

  • M1031 Network Intrusion Prevention mitigation
  • M1021 Restrict Web-Based Content mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (56)

  • C0063 2025 Poland Wiper Attacks campaign
  • S9035 LAMEHUG software (malware)
  • S1222 RIFLESPINE software (malware)
  • S1210 Sagerunex software (malware)
  • S1201 TRANSLATEXT software (malware)
  • S1170 ODAgent software (malware)
  • S1171 OilCheck software (malware)
  • S1172 OilBooster software (malware)
  • S1168 SampleCheck5000 software (malware)
  • C0023 Operation Ghost campaign
  • S1035 Small Sieve software (malware)
  • S1023 CreepyDrive software (malware)
  • G1005 POLONIUM group
  • S0660 Clambling software (malware)
  • S0657 BLUELIGHT software (malware)
  • S0651 BoxCaon software (malware)
  • G0128 ZIRCONIUM group
  • S0538 Crutch software (malware)
  • S0531 Grandoreiro software (malware)
  • S0511 RegDuke software (malware)
  • G0094 Kimsuky group
  • S0393 PowerStallion software (malware)
  • S0379 Revenge RAT software (malware)
  • S0363 Empire software (tool)
  • G0087 APT39 group
  • S0333 UBoatRAT software (malware)
  • G1001 HEXANE group
  • S0240 ROKRAT software (malware)
  • S0244 Comnie software (malware)
  • S0248 yty software (malware)
Show all 56 ›

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (12)

  • CIS-13.10 Perform Application Layer Filtering CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-13.8 Deploy a Network Intrusion Prevention Solution CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-4.5 Implement and Manage a Firewall on End-User Devices CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-9.3 Maintain and Enforce Network-Based URL Filters CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • NIST-AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CA-7 Continuous Monitoring 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-SC-7 Boundary Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-3 Malicious Code Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-4 System Monitoring NIST 800-53 control

References