T1129 Shared Modules

T1129 Shared Modules

High-Level Description

Adversaries may execute malicious payloads via loading shared modules. Shared modules are executable files that are loaded into processes to provide access to reusable code, such as specific custom functions or invoking OS API functions (i.e., Native API).

Adversaries may use this functionality as a way to execute arbitrary payloads on a victim system. For example, adversaries can modularize functionality of their malware into shared objects that perform various functions such as managing C2 network communications or execution of specific actions on objective.

The Linux & macOS module loader can load and execute shared objects from arbitrary local paths. This functionality resides in dlfcn.h in functions such as dlopen and dlsym. Although macOS can execute .so files, common practice uses .dylib files.

The Windows module loader can be instructed to load DLLs from arbitrary local paths and arbitrary Universal Naming Convention (UNC) network paths. This functionality resides in NTDLL.dll and is part of the Windows Native API which is called from functions like LoadLibrary at run time.

Kill Chain Phase

• Execution (TA0002)

Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows

What to Check

• Identify if Shared Modules technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Linux systems for indicators of Shared Modules
• Check macOS systems for indicators of Shared Modules
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Shared Modules
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (1 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Atomic Red Team Tests

The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:

Atomic Test 1: ESXi - Install a custom VIB on an ESXi host

An adversary can maintain persistence within an ESXi host by installing malicious vSphere Installation Bundles (VIBs). Reference

Supported Platforms: windows