MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique

T1701.002 Windows Command Shell

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 the Windows command shell for execution. The Windows command shell (cmd) is the primary command prompt on Windows systems which is used in industrial control system environments. The Windows command prompt can be used to control almost any aspect of a system, with various permission levels required for different subsets of commands. The command prompt can be invoked remotely via Remote Services (e.g., Telnet, SSH, RDP, etc.) Batch files (ex: .bat or .cmd) also provide the shell with a list of sequential commands to run, as well as normal scripting operations such as conditionals and loops. Common uses of batch files include long or repetitive tasks, or the need to run the same set of commands on multiple systems. Adversaries may leverage cmd to execute various commands and payloads. Common uses include cmd to execute a single command, or abusing cmd interactively with input and output forwarded over a command and control channel. Within industrial control system networks, adversaries may abuse the use of Windows Command Shell on overlap assets that run on Microsoft Windows operating systems (Workstations, Data Historians, Human Machine Interfaces, Application Servers, Jump Hosts, etc.).

Related

Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • T1701 Command and Scripting Interpreter technique

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (1)

  • M0938 Execution Prevention mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (5)

  • C0034 2022 Ukraine Electric Power Attack campaign
  • C0025 2016 Ukraine Electric Power Attack campaign
  • S0604 Industroyer software (malware)
  • S0603 Stuxnet software (malware)
  • G0034 Sandworm Team group