T1601
Modify System Image
Network Devicesnothing on this site yetT1601 on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may make changes to the operating system of embedded network devices to weaken defenses and provide new capabilities for themselves. On such devices, the operating systems are typically monolithic and most of the device functionality and capabilities are contained within a single file. To change the operating system, the adversary typically only needs to affect this one file, replacing or modifying it.
If this is happening now
Checklists and playbooks to open while the alert is still live.
Playbook for this stage
Ransomware, suspected or confirmed
Files renamed or unreadable, a ransom note, or backup deletion commands seen.
how MITRE says to see it
Detection Strategy for Modify System Image on Network Devices
- Defenders may observe adversary attempts to alter or replace a network device’s operating system image through anomalous CLI commands, unexpected firmware updates, integrity check failures, or mismatches in version and checksum validation.
what reduces it
- M1043 Credential Access Protection. Some embedded network devices are capable of storing passwords for local accounts in either plain-text or encrypted formats. Ensure that, where available, local passwords are always encrypted, per vendor recommendations.
- M1045 Code Signing. Many vendors provide digitally signed operating system images to validate the integrity of the software used on their platform. Make use of this feature where possible in order to prevent and/or detect attempts by adversaries to compromise the system image.
- M1046 Boot Integrity. Some vendors of embedded network devices provide cryptographic signing to ensure the integrity of operating system images at boot time. Implement where available, following vendor guidelines.
- M1027 Password Policies. Refer to NIST guidelines when creating password policies.
- M1026 Privileged Account Management. Restrict administrator accounts to as few individuals as possible, following least privilege principles. Prevent credential overlap across systems of administrator and privileged accounts, particularly between network and non-network platforms, such as servers or endpoints.
- M1032 Multi-factor Authentication. Use multi-factor authentication for user and privileged accounts. Most embedded network devices support TACACS+ and/or RADIUS. Follow vendor prescribed best practices for hardening access control.