T1048: Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol

Adversaries may steal data by exfiltrating it over a different protocol than that of the existing command and control channel. The data may also be sent to an alternate network location from the main command and control server.

Alternate protocols include FTP, SMTP, HTTP/S, DNS, SMB, or any other network protocol not being used as the main command and control channel. Adversaries may also opt to encrypt and/or obfuscate these alternate channels.

Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol can be done using various common operating system utilities such as Net/SMB or FTP. On macOS and Linux curl may be used to invoke protocols such as HTTP/S or FTP/S to exfiltrate data from a system.

Many IaaS and SaaS platforms (such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SharePoint, GitHub, and AWS S3) support the direct download of files, emails, source code, and other sensitive information via the web console or Cloud API.

Positive Technologies products that cover the technique

MaxPatrol SIEM knowledge base

Subtechniques

Expert Required. The technique is detected only with the combination of «PT Product + Expert»

Detection

IDDS0029Data source and componentNetwork Traffic: Network Traffic FlowDescription

Monitor network data for uncommon data flows. Processes utilizing the network that do not normally have network communication or have never been seen before are suspicious.

IDDS0017Data source and componentCommand: Command ExecutionDescription

Monitor executed commands and arguments that may steal data by exfiltrating it over a different protocol than that of the existing command and control channel.

IDDS0029Data source and componentNetwork Traffic: Network Traffic ContentDescription

Monitor and analyze traffic patterns and packet inspection associated to protocol(s) that do not follow the expected protocol standards and traffic flows (e.g extraneous packets that do not belong to established flows, gratuitous or anomalous traffic patterns, anomalous syntax, or structure). Consider correlation with process monitoring and command line to detect anomalous processes execution and command line arguments associated to traffic patterns (e.g. monitor anomalies in use of files that do not normally initiate connections for respective protocol(s)).

IDDS0010Data source and componentCloud Storage: Cloud Storage AccessDescription

Monitor for unusual queries to the cloud provider's storage service. Activity originating from unexpected sources may indicate improper permissions are set and are allowing access to data. Additionally, detecting failed attempts by a user for a certain object, followed by escalation of privileges by the same user, and access to the same object may be an indication of suspicious activity.

IDDS0022Data source and componentFile: File AccessDescription

Monitor for suspicious files (i.e. .pdf, .docx, .jpg, etc.) viewed in isolation that may steal data by exfiltrating it over a different protocol than that of the existing command and control channel.

IDDS0029Data source and componentNetwork Traffic: Network Connection CreationDescription

Monitor for newly constructed network connections that are sent or received by untrusted hosts.

IDDS0015Data source and componentApplication Log: Application Log ContentDescription

Monitor cloud-based file hosting services, such as Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, for unusual instances of file downloads – for example, many downloads by a single user in a short period of time. In environments with high-maturity, it may be possible to leverage User-Behavioral Analytics (UBA) platforms to detect and alert on user-based anomalies. Additionally, data loss prevention policies can be defined to detect and alert on exfiltration events on particularly sensitive data.

Mitigation

IDM1018NameUser Account ManagementDescription

Configure user permissions groups and roles for access to cloud storage. Implement strict Identity and Access Management (IAM) controls to prevent access to storage solutions except for the applications, users, and services that require access. Ensure that temporary access tokens are issued rather than permanent credentials, especially when access is being granted to entities outside of the internal security boundary.

IDM1022NameRestrict File and Directory PermissionsDescription

Use access control lists on cloud storage systems and objects.

IDM1030NameNetwork SegmentationDescription

Follow best practices for network firewall configurations to allow only necessary ports and traffic to enter and exit the network.

IDM1031NameNetwork Intrusion PreventionDescription

Network intrusion detection and prevention systems that use network signatures to identify traffic for specific adversary command and control infrastructure and malware can be used to mitigate activity at the network level.

IDM1037NameFilter Network TrafficDescription

Enforce proxies and use dedicated servers for services such as DNS and only allow those systems to communicate over respective ports/protocols, instead of all systems within a network. Cloud service providers support IP-based restrictions when accessing cloud resources. Consider using IP allowlisting along with user account management to ensure that data access is restricted not only to valid users but only from expected IP ranges to mitigate the use of stolen credentials to access data.

IDM1057NameData Loss PreventionDescription

Data loss prevention can detect and block sensitive data being uploaded via web browsers.