MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique

T1564.004 NTFS File Attributes

Published 2020-03-13 Modified 2026-05-12 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Stealth
Platforms
Windows
Version
2.0
Created
2020-03-13

Description

Adversaries may use NTFS file attributes to hide their malicious data in order to evade detection. Every New Technology File System (NTFS) formatted partition contains a Master File Table (MFT) that maintains a record for every file/directory on the partition. Within MFT entries are file attributes, such as Extended Attributes (EA) and Data [known as Alternate Data Streams (ADSs) when more than one Data attribute is present], that can be used to store arbitrary data (and even complete files). Adversaries may store malicious data or binaries in file attribute metadata instead of directly in files. This may be done to evade some defenses, such as static indicator scanning tools and anti-virus.

Related

Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • T1564 Hide Artifacts technique

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (1)

  • M1022 Restrict File and Directory Permissions mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (16)

  • S1160 Latrodectus software (malware)
  • S1052 DEADEYE software (malware)
  • S0612 WastedLocker software (malware)
  • S0570 BitPaymer software (malware)
  • S0504 Anchor software (malware)
  • S0476 Valak software (malware)
  • S0404 esentutl software (tool)
  • S0397 LoJax software (malware)
  • S0373 Astaroth software (malware)
  • S0361 Expand software (tool)
  • S0168 Gazer software (malware)
  • G0050 APT32 group
  • S0019 Regin software (malware)
  • S0027 Zeroaccess software (malware)
  • S0139 PowerDuke software (malware)
  • S0145 POWERSOURCE software (malware)

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (6)

  • NIST-AC-16 Security and Privacy Attributes NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-3 Access Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CA-7 Continuous Monitoring 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