T1215: Kernel Modules and Extensions
Loadable Kernel Modules (or LKMs) are pieces of code that can be loaded and unloaded into the kernel upon demand. They extend the functionality of the kernel without the need to reboot the system. For example, one type of module is the device driver, which allows the kernel to access hardware connected to the system. [1] When used maliciously, Loadable Kernel Modules (LKMs) can be a type of kernel-mode Rootkit that run with the highest operating system privilege (Ring 0). [2] Adversaries can use loadable kernel modules to covertly persist on a system and evade defenses. Examples have been found in the wild and there are some open source projects. [3] [4] [5] [6]
Common features of LKM based rootkits include: hiding itself, selective hiding of files, processes and network activity, as well as log tampering, providing authenticated backdoors and enabling root access to non-privileged users. [7]
Kernel extensions, also called kext, are used for macOS to load functionality onto a system similar to LKMs for Linux. They are loaded and unloaded through kextload and kextunload commands. Several examples have been found where this can be used. [8] [9] Examples have been found in the wild. [10]
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Kernel Modules and Extensions
Loadable Kernel Modules (or LKMs) are pieces of code that can be loaded and unloaded into the kernel upon demand. They extend the functionality of the kernel without the need to reboot the system. For example, one type of module is the device driver, which allows the kernel to access hardware connected to the system. [1] When used maliciously, Loadable Kernel Modules (LKMs) can be a type of kernel-mode Rootkit that run with the highest operating system privilege (Ring 0). [2] Adversaries can use loadable kernel modules to covertly persist on a system and evade defenses. Examples have been found in the wild and there are some open source projects. [3] [4] [5] [6]
Common features of LKM based rootkits include: hiding itself, selective hiding of files, processes and network activity, as well as log tampering, providing authenticated backdoors and enabling root access to non-privileged users. [7]
Kernel extensions, also called kext, are used for macOS to load functionality onto a system similar to LKMs for Linux. They are loaded and unloaded through kextload and kextunload commands. Several examples have been found where this can be used. [8] [9] Examples have been found in the wild. [10]
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Related techniques
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| Domain | ID | Name | Relationship / procedure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | T1547.006 | Kernel Modules and Extensions Sub-technique | This object revoked by Kernel Modules and Extensions. |
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| Release | Bundle imported | Object version | Modified | Status | Raw hash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19.1 | 1.1 | Current bundle Revoked | 935412bcab6a… |
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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]
Linux Kernel Programming
Pomerantz, O., Salzman, P.. (2003, April 4). The Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
Open source URL -
[2]
Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide
Pomerantz, O., Salzman, P. (2003, April 4). Modules vs Programs. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
Open source URL -
[3]
Volatility Phalanx2
Case, A. (2012, October 10). Phalanx 2 Revealed: Using Volatility to Analyze an Advanced Linux Rootkit. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
Open source URL -
[4]
CrowdStrike Linux Rootkit
Kurtz, G. (2012, November 19). HTTP iframe Injecting Linux Rootkit. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
Open source URL -
[5]
GitHub Reptile
Augusto, I. (2018, March 8). Reptile - LMK Linux rootkit. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
Open source URL -
[6]
GitHub Diamorphine
Mello, V. (2018, March 8). Diamorphine - LMK rootkit for Linux Kernels 2.6.x/3.x/4.x (x86 and x86_64). Retrieved April 9, 2018.
Open source URL -
[7]
iDefense Rootkit Overview
Chuvakin, A. (2003, February). An Overview of Rootkits. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
Open source URL -
[8]
RSAC 2015 San Francisco Patrick Wardle
Wardle, P. (2015, April). Malware Persistence on OS X Yosemite. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
Open source URL -
[9]
Synack Secure Kernel Extension Broken
Wardle, P. (2017, September 8). High Sierra’s ‘Secure Kernel Extension Loading’ is Broken. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
Open source URL -
[10]
Securelist Ventir
Mikhail, K. (2014, October 16). The Ventir Trojan: assemble your MacOS spy. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
Open source URL -
[11]
Linux Loadable Kernel Module Insert and Remove LKMs
Henderson, B. (2006, September 24). How To Insert And Remove LKMs. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
Open source URL -
[12]
Wikipedia Loadable Kernel Module
Wikipedia. (2018, March 17). Loadable kernel module. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
Open source URL -
[13]
mitre-attack T1215Open source URL
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