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MITRE ATT&CK® Malware

S0374: SpeakUp

SpeakUp is a Trojan backdoor that targets both Linux and OSX devices. It was first observed in January 2019. [1]

EnterpriseS0374MalwareObject v1.2Modified
Discuss defensive coverageBack to ATT&CK
Glexia's Take · Automated analysis

Security context for executives and security teams

Automation confidenceHigh

SpeakUp matters because it represents a Linux and macOS backdoor family with behaviors that touch execution, persistence, discovery, credential access, command-and-control, tool transfer, and cleanup. For leaders, the key issue is not the malware name alone; it is whether Unix-like endpoints and servers have enough visibility to show when a backdoor is profiling the host, mapping network services, using web traffic for command-and-control, scheduling persistence through cron, or deleting artifacts.

Executive priority

Prioritize this as a Unix/Linux and macOS visibility and response-readiness question. Security leaders should ask whether SOC and IR teams can collect and retain the evidence needed to investigate backdoor activity on non-Windows systems: process execution, shell and Python activity, cron changes, authentication attempts, network connections, downloaded files, and file deletion. This is also relevant to vulnerability and exposure management because the related ATT&CK behaviors include exploitation for client execution, password guessing, and network service discovery.

Technical view

ATT&CK does not provide a dedicated detection note for SpeakUp, so validation should be behavior-led. On Linux and macOS, defenders should test visibility around the related techniques: system, user, network configuration, network connection, and network service discovery; command and scripting interpreter use, including Python; cron-based scheduled execution; web-protocol command-and-control; standard encoding or encrypted/encoded files; ingress tool transfer; password guessing; exploitation for client execution; and file deletion. Detection engineering should correlate these behaviors rather than relying on a single malware signature.

Likely telemetry

  • Linux and macOS process creation and command-line telemetry
  • Shell and Python interpreter execution records
  • Cron and crontab file change monitoring
  • Authentication logs showing repeated or unusual password guessing patterns
  • Network connection and DNS/proxy/web traffic logs for outbound HTTP/S-like command-and-control patterns

Detection direction

  • Validate that Linux and macOS systems are covered, not only Windows endpoints.
  • Create behavior correlations for discovery commands followed by outbound web traffic, tool transfer, cron persistence, or file deletion.
  • Tune carefully for administrator activity: network enumeration, shell use, Python execution, and cron changes can be legitimate on Unix-like systems.
  • Review whether web-protocol monitoring can identify unusual destinations, uncommon user agents, encoded payload patterns, or unexpected outbound traffic from servers.
  • Confirm that file deletion and temporary artifact cleanup are logged with enough retention to support incident response.

Mitigation priorities

  • Strengthen monitoring and hardening for Linux and macOS endpoints and servers before focusing on malware-family-specific signatures.
  • Restrict and monitor administrative shell, Python, and cron usage according to operational need.
  • Reduce credential-guessing risk with strong authentication controls, rate limiting or lockout where appropriate, and review of exposed authentication surfaces.
  • Limit unnecessary outbound web access from servers and inspect egress patterns consistent with command-and-control or tool transfer.
  • Maintain vulnerability management for client applications and services that could support code execution paths.
Additional notes and limits

The supplied ATT&CK object identifies SpeakUp as a Trojan backdoor targeting Linux and OSX/macOS devices, first observed in January 2019. The relationship set provides the most useful defensive context: discovery, execution, cron persistence, web-protocol C2, encoding, tool transfer, password guessing, exploitation for client execution, and file deletion. Treat this as a coverage validation object for Unix-like environments.

No official ATT&CK detection text is provided, tactics are not specified on the malware object itself, and the supplied fields do not support claims about current activity, attribution, victimology, exploit details, or guaranteed detection coverage. Local telemetry, baselines, and exposure data are required to determine material risk.

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Official MITRE ATT&CK definition

SpeakUp

SpeakUp is a Trojan backdoor that targets both Linux and OSX devices. It was first observed in January 2019. [1]

View the same entry on attack.mitre.org (MITRE-hosted reference; in-page links above use the Glexia ATT&CK library.)

Glexia analysis

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.

ATT&CK relationship table

Techniques used

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.

15 rows
DomainIDNameRelationship / procedure
EnterpriseT1082System Information Discovery

SpeakUp uses the cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep -c “cpu family” 2>&1 command to gather system information. [1]

EnterpriseT1053.003CronSub-technique

SpeakUp uses cron tasks to ensure persistence. [1]

EnterpriseT1105Ingress Tool Transfer

SpeakUp downloads and executes additional files from a remote server. [1]

EnterpriseT1059.006PythonSub-technique

SpeakUp uses Python scripts.[1]

EnterpriseT1110.001Password GuessingSub-technique

SpeakUp can perform brute forcing using a pre-defined list of usernames and passwords in an attempt to log in to administrative panels. [1]

EnterpriseT1033System Owner/User Discovery

SpeakUp uses the whoami command. [1]

EnterpriseT1046Network Service Discovery

SpeakUp checks for availability of specific ports on servers.[1]

EnterpriseT1071.001Web ProtocolsSub-technique

SpeakUp uses POST and GET requests over HTTP to communicate with its main C&C server. [1]

EnterpriseT1016System Network Configuration Discovery

SpeakUp uses the ifconfig -a command. [1]

EnterpriseT1203Exploitation for Client Execution

SpeakUp attempts to exploit the following vulnerabilities in order to execute its malicious script: CVE-2012-0874, CVE-2010-1871, CVE-2017-10271, CVE-2018-2894, CVE-2016-3088, JBoss AS 3/4/5/6, and the Hadoop YARN ResourceManager. [1]

EnterpriseT1070.004File DeletionSub-technique

SpeakUp deletes files to remove evidence on the machine. [1]

EnterpriseT1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

SpeakUp uses Perl scripts.[1]

EnterpriseT1132.001Standard EncodingSub-technique

SpeakUp encodes C&C communication using Base64. [1]

EnterpriseT1027.013Encrypted/Encoded FileSub-technique

SpeakUp encodes its second-stage payload with Base64. [1]

EnterpriseT1049System Network Connections Discovery

SpeakUp uses the arp -a command. [1]

Relationship explorer

All related ATT&CK context

uses · TechniqueT1082: System Information DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1053.003: CronEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1105: Ingress Tool TransferEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1059.006: PythonEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1110.001: Password GuessingEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1033: System Owner/User DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1046: Network Service DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1071.001: Web ProtocolsEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1016: System Network Configuration DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1203: Exploitation for Client ExecutionEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1070.004: File DeletionEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1059: Command and Scripting InterpreterEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1132.001: Standard EncodingEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1027.013: Encrypted/Encoded FileEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1049: System Network Connections DiscoveryEnterprise
Change history

Object version and sync metadata

The fields below describe the current mirrored snapshot. When Glexia retains multiple ATT&CK source imports, you can open the table to compare the same object across releases (hashes and MITRE timestamps). For MITRE’s own release notes and roadmap, see ATT&CK resources — Updates.

ATT&CK release
19.1
Object version
1.2
Created
Modified
Raw hash
ff29e99132300ee7...
Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases(1)
ReleaseBundle importedObject versionModifiedStatusRaw hash
19.11.2Current bundleff29e9913230…
Raw source

Mirrored ATT&CK source object

The raw object is retained through the mirrored ATT&CK source bundle and object hash. The raw endpoint returns the exact object from the mirrored bundle when available.

Open mirrored raw JSONOpen MITRE-hosted copy
Source references

External references and citations

MITRE external references are preserved separately from Glexia analysis so citations remain traceable to their original source records.

  1. [1]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  2. [2]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  3. [3]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  4. [4]
    mitre-attackS0374
    Open source URL
  5. [5]
    mitre-attackS0374
    Open source URL
  6. [6]
    mitre-attackS0374
    Open source URL
  7. [7]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  8. [8]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  9. [9]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  10. [10]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  11. [11]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  12. [12]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  13. [13]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  14. [14]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  15. [15]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  16. [16]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  17. [17]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  18. [18]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  19. [19]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  20. [20]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  21. [21]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  22. [22]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  23. [23]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  24. [24]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  25. [25]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  26. [26]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  27. [27]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  28. [28]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  29. [29]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  30. [30]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  31. [31]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  32. [32]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  33. [33]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  34. [34]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  35. [35]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
  36. [36]
    CheckPoint SpeakUp Feb 2019

    Check Point Research. (2019, February 4). SpeakUp: A New Undetected Backdoor Linux Trojan. Retrieved April 17, 2019.

    Open source URL
Source and licensing

Source: MITRE ATT&CK®. © 2026 The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation. MITRE ATT&CK and ATT&CK are registered trademarks of The MITRE Corporation. Glexia is not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE.

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