Cross-source coverage
T1027.009 / ATT&CK
Obfuscated Files or Information: Embedded Payloads
3 rules across 2 sources.
From MITRE ATT&CK 19.2
Adversaries may embed payloads within other files to conceal malicious content from defenses. Otherwise seemingly benign files (such as scripts and executables) may be abused to carry and obfuscate malicious payloads and content. In some cases, embedded payloads may also enable adversaries to Subvert Trust Controls by not impacting execution controls such as digital signatures and notarization tickets.
Adversaries may embed payloads in various file formats to hide payloads. This is similar to Steganography, though does not involve weaving malicious content into specific bytes and patterns related to legitimate digital media formats.
For example, adversaries have been observed embedding payloads within or as an overlay of an otherwise benign binary. Adversaries have also been observed nesting payloads (such as executables and run-only scripts) inside a file of the same format.
Embedded content may also be used as Process Injection payloads used to infect benign system processes. These embedded then injected payloads may be used as part of the modules of malware designed to provide specific features such as encrypting C2 communications in support of an orchestrator module. For example, an embedded module may be injected into default browsers, allowing adversaries to then communicate via the network.
- Tactics
- Stealth
- Platforms
- Linux · macOS · Windows
- Telemetry
-
WinEventLog:SysmonEDR:fileauditd:SYSCALLlinux:osqueryebpf:syscallsmacos:unifiedlogmacos:endpointsecuritymacos:osquery
How MITRE says to detect it DET0214
Detection Strategy for Embedded Payloads
Windows Analytic 0599
Detection of executables or scripts containing hidden embedded resources or secondary payloads, often with anomalies in file size vs. functionality or dropped child binaries.
WinEventLog:SysmonEventCode=11WinEventLog:SysmonEventCode=1EDR:fileFile Metadata Analysis (PE overlays, entropy)
Linux Analytic 0600
Detection of shell scripts, ELF binaries, or archives containing embedded secondary payloads, self-extracting components, or unusual compression behavior during runtime.
auditd:SYSCALLopen, writelinux:osqueryelf_info, hash, yara_matchesebpf:syscallscontainer_file_activity
macOS Analytic 0601
Detection of Mach-O binaries or AppleScripts that contain nested, encoded, or run-only embedded payloads dropped at runtime.
macos:unifiedloglogd:file writemacos:endpointsecurityES_EVENT_TYPE_NOTIFY_EXECmacos:osquerymach_o_info, file_metadata
SigmaHQ/sigma
2 rules| Detection | Severity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Powershell Token Obfuscation - Process Creation | High | Sigma |
| Powershell Token Obfuscation - Powershell | Medium | Sigma |
elastic/protections-artifacts
1 rule| Detection | Severity | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded Payload Dropped and Executed | Undefined | Elastic TOML |