Obfuscated Files or Information: Stripped Payloads (T1027.008)

Tactic: Stealth · Platforms: Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows

The interactive view maps 1 detection strategy, 2 software entries to this technique, alongside D3FEND countermeasures and data-component coverage.

Sub-technique of Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027).

Overview

Adversaries may attempt to make a payload difficult to analyze by removing symbols, strings, and other human readable information. Scripts and executables may contain variables names and other strings that help developers document code functionality. Symbols are often created by an operating system’s `linker` when executable payloads are compiled. Reverse engineers use these symbols and strings to analyze code and to identify functionality in payloads.

Adversaries may use stripped payloads in order to make malware analysis more difficult. For example, compilers and other tools may provide features to remove or obfuscate strings and symbols. Adversaries have also used stripped payload formats, such as run-only AppleScripts, a compiled and stripped version of AppleScript, to evade detection and analysis. The lack of human-readable information may directly hinder detection and analysis of payloads.

Explore

• Open T1027.008 in the interactive ATT&CK matrix
• ATT&CK Intelligence View guide
• Official MITRE ATT&CK entry for T1027.008
• Sigma detection rules for MITRE ATT&CK
• Built by Shahrukh Khan