MITRE ATT&CKtechnique

T1616 Call Control

Published 2021-09-20 Modified 2026-05-12 Official page ↗
Domain
mobile
Tactics
Collection, Impact, Command And Control
Platforms
Android
Version
1.2
Created
2021-09-20

Description

Adversaries may make, forward, or block phone calls without user authorization. This could be used for adversary goals such as audio surveillance, blocking or forwarding calls from the device owner, or C2 communication. Several permissions may be used to programmatically control phone calls, including: • `ANSWER_PHONE_CALLS` - Allows the application to answer incoming phone calls • `CALL_PHONE` - Allows the application to initiate a phone call without going through the Dialer interface • `PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS` - Allows the application to see the number being dialed during an outgoing call with the option to redirect the call to a different number or abort the call altogether • `MANAGE_OWN_CALLS` - Allows a calling application which manages its own calls through the self-managed `ConnectionService` APIs • `BIND_TELECOM_CONNECTION_SERVICE` - Required permission when using a `ConnectionService` • `WRITE_CALL_LOG` - Allows an application to write to the device call log, potentially to hide malicious phone calls When granted some of these permissions, an application can make a phone call without opening the dialer first. However, if an application desires to simply redirect the user to the dialer with a phone number filled in, it can launch an Intent using `Intent.ACTION_DIAL`, which requires no specific permissions. This then requires the user to explicitly initiate the call or use some form of Input Injection to programmatically initiate it.

Related

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (3)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (1)

  • M1011 User Guidance mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (17)

  • S9006 VajraSpy software (malware)
  • S9005 DocSwap software (malware)
  • S9004 Crocodilus software (malware)
  • S1231 GodFather software (malware)
  • S1214 Android/SpyAgent software (malware)
  • S1195 SpyC23 software (malware)
  • S1094 BRATA software (malware)
  • S1092 Escobar software (malware)
  • S1083 Chameleon software (malware)
  • S1080 Fakecalls software (malware)
  • S1069 TangleBot software (malware)
  • S1054 Drinik software (malware)
  • S0655 BusyGasper software (malware)
  • S0529 CarbonSteal software (malware)
  • S0422 Anubis software (malware)
  • S0407 Monokle software (malware)
  • S0292 AndroRAT software (malware)

References