MITRE ATT&CKtechnique

T1701 Command and Scripting Interpreter

Published 2026-09-25 Modified 2026-10-09 Official page ↗
Domain
ics
Tactics
Execution
Version
1.0
Created
2026-09-25

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 within industrial control system environments. 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. Some also have cross-platform interpreters such as Python, as well as those commonly associated with client applications such as JavaScript and Visual Basic. Many controllers have command-line interfaces for management purposes. 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 (e.g., Telnet, SSH, RDP, etc.) often found in industrial control system environments to achieve remote Execution.

Related

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (3)

  • M0938 Execution Prevention mitigation
  • M0942 Disable or Remove Feature or Program mitigation
  • M0948 Application Isolation and Sandboxing mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · subtechnique of (6)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (2)

  • S1165 FrostyGoop software (malware)
  • C0030 Triton Safety Instrumented System Attack campaign

References