MITRE ATT&CKtechnique

T1481 Web Service

Published 2019-02-01 Modified 2025-10-24 Official page ↗
Domain
mobile
Tactics
Command And Control
Platforms
Android, iOS
Version
1.3
Created
2019-02-01

Description

Adversaries may use an existing, legitimate external Web service as a means for relaying data to/from a compromised system. Popular websites and social media, acting as a mechanism for C2, may give a significant amount of cover. This is 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. Use of Web services may also protect back-end C2 infrastructure from discovery through malware binary analysis, or enable operational resiliency (since this infrastructure may be dynamically changed).

Related

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • TA0037 Command and Control tactic

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · subtechnique of (3)

  • T1481.001 Dead Drop Resolver sub-technique
  • T1481.002 Bidirectional Communication sub-technique
  • T1481.003 One-Way Communication sub-technique

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (1)

  • S1214 Android/SpyAgent software (malware)