T1179: Hooking
Windows processes often leverage application programming interface (API) functions to perform tasks that require reusable system resources. Windows API functions are typically stored in dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) as exported functions.
Hooking involves redirecting calls to these functions and can be implemented via:
* **Hooks procedures**, which intercept and execute designated code in response to events such as messages, keystrokes, and mouse inputs. [1] [2] * **Import address table (IAT) hooking**, which use modifications to a process’s IAT, where pointers to imported API functions are stored. [2] [3] [4] * **Inline hooking**, which overwrites the first bytes in an API function to redirect code flow. [2] [5] [4]
Similar to Process Injection, adversaries may use hooking to load and execute malicious code within the context of another process, masking the execution while also allowing access to the process's memory and possibly elevated privileges. Installing hooking mechanisms may also provide Persistence via continuous invocation when the functions are called through normal use.
Malicious hooking mechanisms may also capture API calls that include parameters that reveal user authentication credentials for Credential Access. [6]
Hooking is commonly utilized by Rootkits to conceal files, processes, Registry keys, and other objects in order to hide malware and associated behaviors. [7]
This ATT&CK object is revoked or deprecated in the current MITRE ATT&CK release.
It remains available for historical context and inbound links. Use current ATT&CK relationships and replacement guidance before basing detection or reporting work on this page.
Analyst summary pending validation
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Hooking
Windows processes often leverage application programming interface (API) functions to perform tasks that require reusable system resources. Windows API functions are typically stored in dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) as exported functions.
Hooking involves redirecting calls to these functions and can be implemented via:
* **Hooks procedures**, which intercept and execute designated code in response to events such as messages, keystrokes, and mouse inputs. [1] [2] * **Import address table (IAT) hooking**, which use modifications to a process’s IAT, where pointers to imported API functions are stored. [2] [3] [4] * **Inline hooking**, which overwrites the first bytes in an API function to redirect code flow. [2] [5] [4]
Similar to Process Injection, adversaries may use hooking to load and execute malicious code within the context of another process, masking the execution while also allowing access to the process's memory and possibly elevated privileges. Installing hooking mechanisms may also provide Persistence via continuous invocation when the functions are called through normal use.
Malicious hooking mechanisms may also capture API calls that include parameters that reveal user authentication credentials for Credential Access. [6]
Hooking is commonly utilized by Rootkits to conceal files, processes, Registry keys, and other objects in order to hide malware and associated behaviors. [7]
How security teams should use this page
Treat this object as behavior context, not an attribution claim. Validate the related groups, software, data sources, and mitigations against official ATT&CK relationships and your own telemetry before making control-coverage decisions.
Related techniques
This mirrors the MITRE pattern of making group, software, campaign, and technique relationships scannable. Relationship notes come from mirrored ATT&CK relationship text when available.
| Domain | ID | Name | Relationship / procedure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | T1056.004 | Credential API Hooking Sub-technique | This object revoked by Credential API Hooking. |
All related ATT&CK context
Object version and sync metadata
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Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases (1)
| Release | Bundle imported | Object version | Modified | Status | Raw hash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19.1 | 1.1 | Current bundle Revoked | d58f58f19917… |
Mirrored ATT&CK source object
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External references and citations
MITRE external references are preserved separately from Glexia analysis so citations remain traceable to their original source records.
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[1]
Microsoft Hook Overview
Microsoft. (n.d.). Hooks Overview. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[2]
Elastic Process Injection July 2017
Hosseini, A. (2017, July 18). Ten Process Injection Techniques: A Technical Survey Of Common And Trending Process Injection Techniques. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
Open source URL -
[3]
Adlice Software IAT Hooks Oct 2014
Tigzy. (2014, October 15). Userland Rootkits: Part 1, IAT hooks. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[4]
MWRInfoSecurity Dynamic Hooking 2015
Hillman, M. (2015, August 8). Dynamic Hooking Techniques: User Mode. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
Open source URL -
[5]
HighTech Bridge Inline Hooking Sept 2011
Mariani, B. (2011, September 6). Inline Hooking in Windows. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[6]
Microsoft TrojanSpy:Win32/Ursnif.gen!I Sept 2017
Microsoft. (2017, September 15). TrojanSpy:Win32/Ursnif.gen!I. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
Open source URL -
[7]
Symantec Windows Rootkits
Symantec. (n.d.). Windows Rootkit Overview. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
Open source URL -
[8]
EyeofRa Detecting Hooking June 2017
Eye of Ra. (2017, June 27). Windows Keylogger Part 2: Defense against user-land. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[9]
GMER Rootkits
GMER. (n.d.). GMER. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[10]
Jay GetHooks Sept 2011
Satiro, J. (2011, September 14). GetHooks. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[11]
Microsoft Process Snapshot
Microsoft. (n.d.). Taking a Snapshot and Viewing Processes. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[12]
PreKageo Winhook Jul 2011
Prekas, G. (2011, July 11). Winhook. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[13]
StackExchange Hooks Jul 2012
Stack Exchange - Security. (2012, July 31). What are the methods to find hooked functions and APIs?. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[14]
Volatility Detecting Hooks Sept 2012
Volatility Labs. (2012, September 24). MoVP 3.1 Detecting Malware Hooks in the Windows GUI Subsystem. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[15]
Zairon Hooking Dec 2006
Felici, M. (2006, December 6). Any application-defined hook procedure on my machine?. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
Open source URL -
[16]
mitre-attack T1179Open source URL
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