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Get Started Free →cyberstrikeus/T1102.001_dead-drop-resolver
Adversaries may use an existing, legitimate external Web service to host information that points to additional command and control (C2) infrastructure.
Passed 18 of 22 test cases with the skill, and 15 of 22 without it.
and 5 more in the full report
5 fixed13 passed either way2 still failing2 broke
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
One of 5 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
An auditor requested the official title and identifier of the CWE entry for dead drop resolving communication channels where traffic passes through third-party services. Provide the exact CWE identifier and title.
| Checked | Without skill | With skill |
|---|---|---|
| Cites CWE-300. | Missed | Passed |
| Names the CWE title as Channel Accessible by Non-Endpoint. | Missed | Passed |
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
Sub-technique of: T1102
Adversaries may use an existing, legitimate external Web service to host information that points to additional command and control (C2) infrastructure. Adversaries may post content, known as a dead drop resolver, on Web services with embedded (and often obfuscated/encoded) domains or IP addresses. Once infected, victims will reach out to and be redirected by these resolvers.
Popular websites and social media acting as a mechanism for C2 may give a significant amount of cover due to the likelihood that hosts within a network are already communicating with them prior to a compromise. Using common services, such as those offered by Google or Twitter, makes it easier for adversaries to hide in expected noise. Web service providers commonly use SSL/TLS encryption, giving adversaries an added level of protection.
Use of a dead drop resolver may also protect back-end C2 infrastructure from discovery through malware binary analysis while also enabling operational resiliency (since this infrastructure may be dynamically changed).
Platforms: ESXi, Linux, macOS, Windows
Identify Attack Surface: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to Dead Drop Resolver by examining the target platforms (ESXi, Linux, macOS).
Assess Existing Defenses: Review whether mitigations for T1102.001 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.
Execute Test: Use tools and methods described in the MITRE ATT&CK page and external references below.
Note: No Atomic Red Team tests available for this technique. See Atomic Red Team GitHub for updates.
test cases passed, vs 15 / 22 without
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