T1071.001 · command-and-control · 53 actors · 17 correlated reports

Web Protocols

Adversaries may communicate using application layer protocols associated with web traffic to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server. Protocols such as HTTP/S and WebSocket that carry web traffic may be very common in environments. HTTP/S packets have many fields and headers in which data can be concealed. An adversary may abuse these protocols to communicate with systems under their control within a victim network while also mimicking normal, expected traffic.

Open detection, hunting, mitigation, and evidence workspace

Detection logic

Analyze network data for uncommon data flows (e.g., a client sending significantly more data than it receives from a server). Processes utilizing the network that do not normally have network communication or have never been seen before are suspicious. Analyze packet contents to detect application layer protocols that do not follow the expected protocol standards regarding syntax, structure, or any other variable adversaries could leverage to conceal data. Monitor for web traffic to/from known-bad or suspicious domains.

Observed actors

Correlated CTI and IR reports

Continue the investigation

Interactive ThreatMapper ThreatMapper documentation CTI Analyst Field Manual Israel Threat Actors CTI Anomaly Detection Atlas ITDR Handbook 1200km Medium research