{"source_checked_on":"2026-10-19","schema_version":1,"key":"ics/T0858","id":"T0858","name":"Change Operating Mode","domain":"ics","reviewed_on":"2026-09-28","source_url":"https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T0858","source_file":{"file":"ics.json","url":"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mitre-attack/attack-stix-data/20664a889568dce884a1dac0ec7b12ae3a199f51/ics-attack/ics-attack-20.0.json","sha256":"c9ca0ce523a1b5e512060a390415e8aefe8f6d32c5f82d7de81264960c1e1183","bytes":5266683},"source_object_sha256":"088daced0bca8a029f431c0804f40df1065c8b4617fbbc4d33005094cd7a24fa","description":"Adversaries may change the operating mode of a controller to gain additional access to engineering functions such as Program Download.   Programmable controllers typically have several modes of operation that control the state of the user program and control access to the controllers API. Operating modes can be physically selected using a key switch on the face of the controller but may also be selected with calls to the controllers API. Operating modes and the mechanisms by which they are selected often vary by vendor and product line. Some commonly implemented operating modes are described below:  \n\n* Program - This mode must be enabled before changes can be made to a devices program. This allows program uploads and downloads between the device and an engineering workstation. Often the PLCs logic Is halted, and all outputs may be forced off. (Citation: N.A. October 2017)  \n* Run - Execution of the devices program occurs in this mode. Input and output (values, points, tags, elements, etc.) are monitored and used according to the programs logic. [Program Upload](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T0845) and [Program Download](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T0843) are disabled while in this mode. (Citation: Omron) (Citation: Machine Information Systems 2007)  (Citation: N.A. October 2017) (Citation: PLCgurus 2021)   \n* Remote - Allows for remote changes to a PLCs operation mode. (Citation: PLCgurus 2021)    \n* Stop - The PLC and program is stopped, while in this mode, outputs are forced off. (Citation: Machine Information Systems 2007)   \n* Reset - Conditions on the PLC are reset to their original states. Warm resets may retain some memory while cold resets will reset all I/O and data registers. (Citation: Machine Information Systems 2007)   \n* Test / Monitor mode - Similar to run mode, I/O is processed, although this mode allows for monitoring, force set, resets, and more generally tuning or debugging of the system. Often monitor mode may be used as a trial for initialization. (Citation: Omron)","references":[{"source_name":"mitre-attack","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T0858","external_id":"T0858"},{"source_name":"Machine Information Systems 2007","description":"Machine Information Systems 2007 How PLCs Work Retrieved. 2021/01/28 ","url":"http://www.machine-information-systems.com/How_PLCs_Work.html"},{"source_name":"N.A. October 2017","description":"N.A. 2017, October What are the different operating modes in PLC? Retrieved. 2021/01/28 ","url":"https://forumautomation.com/t/what-are-the-different-operating-modes-in-plc/2489"},{"source_name":"Omron","description":"Omron Machine Information Systems 2007 How PLCs Work Retrieved. 2021/01/28  PLC Different Operating Modes Retrieved. 2021/01/28 ","url":"https://www.omron-ap.com/service_support/FAQ/FAQ00002/index.asp#:~:text=In%20PROGRAM%20mode%2C%20the%20CPU,can%20be%20created%20or%20modified."},{"source_name":"PLCgurus 2021","description":"PLCgurus 2021 PLC Basics  Modes Of Operation Retrieved. 2021/01/28 ","url":"https://www.plcgurus.net/plc-basics/"}],"platforms":["Embedded"],"environments":["ics-ot"],"visibility":"source_mapped","visibility_note":null,"parent":null,"children":[],"telemetry":[{"id":"DC0038","name":"Application Log Content","page":"telemetry/DC0038/","kind":"attack_component","category":"Application and service audit","description":"Application-emitted audit or operational event content.","collection_focus":"Select the application event family required by the detection and document its native schema before normalization.","providers":[{"name":"Application audit logs","scope":"First-party service events and request/result fields; schema is application-specific.","source_id":"otel"},{"name":"OpenTelemetry-compatible log pipelines","scope":"Transport and normalization of emitted records; do not create missing audit instrumentation.","source_id":"otel"}],"configuration":["Enable the application audit category or instrument the owned lab application at the authorization/action boundary.","Define a schema with timestamp, service, actor, object, action, result and correlation ID. Export structured records through an authenticated collector.","Redact secrets and personal content, separate audit from debug logs, set retention and verify delivery during rotation/restart."],"configuration_example":null,"required_fields":["service","action","actor","record_count","result"],"example":{"schema":"1200km.telemetry.example.v1","synthetic":true,"timestamp":"2026-09-27T12:00:00Z","telemetry_id":"DC0038","collector":"illustrative-lab-collector","observation":{"service":"lab-portal","action":"export_requested","actor":"lab-reader","record_count":3,"result":"authorized"}},"example_note":"Project-normalized synthetic JSON, not a native provider log, captured event, attack verdict or validated detection. A parser/adapter is required for a real SIEM. Example names, IPs and values are fictional.","limitations":"Debug output is not necessarily a durable audit trail. Application developers must emit the relevant event; installing a log pipeline does not make an absent event exist.","sources":[{"id":"otel","title":"OpenTelemetry log data model","url":"https://opentelemetry.io/docs/specs/otel/logs/data-model/"}],"association":"attack_component","anomaly_design":"Per application, client and route: request rate, rare actions, failure ratios and unusual state transitions. Version changes, retries, health probes and seasonal load need separate baselines."},{"id":"DC0108","name":"Device Alarm","page":"telemetry/DC0108/","kind":"attack_component","category":"Industrial operations and physical process","description":"Device-generated alarms about equipment or controller state.","collection_focus":"Subscribe to supported device alarm/audit channels; retain code, severity, source asset and acknowledgement/clear times.","providers":[{"name":"OPC UA audit-capable servers","scope":"Auditable actions where supported and enabled; inspect server conformance and vendor documentation.","source_id":"opc"},{"name":"Controller, HMI and historian exports","scope":"Vendor-specific process values, quality flags, alarms and operational context.","source_id":"ot"},{"name":"Independent lab sensors / safety records","scope":"Physical-effect corroboration, not a universal cybersecurity log format.","source_id":"ot"}],"configuration":["Agree the measurement points, read-only interfaces, sampling intervals and safety boundary with the process owner. Use a simulator or non-production fixture.","Subscribe to supported audit/alarm events or approved historian exports. Preserve source timestamp, quality, engineering units, asset/tag identity and clock offset.","Compare independent measurements and record gaps/latency. Do not enable intrusive polling, change controller logic or alter safety setpoints merely to generate logs."],"configuration_example":null,"required_fields":["asset_id","alarm_code","severity","active"],"example":{"schema":"1200km.telemetry.example.v1","synthetic":true,"timestamp":"2026-09-27T12:00:00Z","telemetry_id":"DC0108","collector":"illustrative-lab-collector","observation":{"asset_id":"lab-controller-1","alarm_code":"LAB_COMM_LOSS","severity":"warning","active":true}},"example_note":"Project-normalized synthetic JSON, not a native provider log, captured event, attack verdict or validated detection. A parser/adapter is required for a real SIEM. Example names, IPs and values are fictional.","limitations":"There is no universal PLC event ID or configuration command. Visibility depends on vendor, protocol and process. An alarm or process deviation demonstrates an effect, not necessarily a cyberattack.","sources":[{"id":"opc","title":"OPC UA audit event model","url":"https://reference.opcfoundation.org/specs/OPC-10000-3/9.5"},{"id":"ot","title":"NIST SP 800-82 Rev. 3: OT security","url":"https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/82/r3/final"}],"association":"attack_component","anomaly_design":"Per asset, operating mode and engineering change window: deviations in command/state sequences, measurement residuals and communication freshness. Use a simulator or approved test rig; never generate hazardous physical effects."},{"id":"DC0085","name":"Network Traffic Content","page":"telemetry/DC0085/","kind":"attack_component","category":"Network and protocol telemetry","description":"Packet or decoded application-protocol content visible at a network sensor.","collection_focus":"Scope approved packet capture/protocol content collection to the lab flow; retain capture provenance and truncation indicators.","providers":[{"name":"Zeek","scope":"Connection and protocol metadata from traffic visible to the sensor.","source_id":"zeek"},{"name":"Suricata EVE","scope":"Configured flow, alert, DNS, HTTP, TLS and protocol records.","source_id":"suricata"}],"configuration":["Use an authorized lab TAP/SPAN, virtual mirror or gateway interface. Define which traffic crosses it; avoid assuming visibility into every segment.","Enable the required Zeek analyzers or Suricata EVE event types. Export logs with sensor identity, clock synchronization and flow correlation identifiers.","Monitor capture loss, truncation and exporter sampling. Capture payload only with approval and restrictive retention; encryption normally prevents plaintext inspection."],"configuration_example":null,"required_fields":["flow_id","protocol","method","path","payload_excerpt"],"example":{"schema":"1200km.telemetry.example.v1","synthetic":true,"timestamp":"2026-09-27T12:00:00Z","telemetry_id":"DC0085","collector":"illustrative-lab-collector","observation":{"flow_id":"lab-flow-1","protocol":"http","method":"GET","path":"/lab-check","payload_excerpt":"LAB_TELEMETRY_CHECK"}},"example_note":"Project-normalized synthetic JSON, not a native provider log, captured event, attack verdict or validated detection. A parser/adapter is required for a real SIEM. Example names, IPs and values are fictional.","limitations":"Flows are not packet payloads. NAT, asymmetric routes, encryption, missing mirrors and sampling can hide attribution or content. A destination connection alone does not prove malicious intent.","sources":[{"id":"zeek","title":"Zeek protocol and connection logs","url":"https://docs.zeek.org/en/current/reference/logs/index.html"},{"id":"zeek_start","title":"Zeek capture setup","url":"https://docs.zeek.org/en/current/quickstart.html"},{"id":"suricata","title":"Suricata EVE JSON output","url":"https://docs.suricata.io/en/latest/output/eve/eve-json-output.html"}],"association":"attack_component","anomaly_design":"Per source and observation point: connection rate, destination-host/port fan-out, response/failure ratio and previously unseen destinations. Compare equivalent time windows; separate authorized scanners, NAT and sampling effects."}],"detection":{"key":"ics/T0858","id":"T0858","name":"Change Operating Mode","domain":"ics","platforms":["Embedded"],"environments":["ics-ot"],"source_url":"https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T0858","technique_page":"techniques/ics/T0858/","page":"detections/ics/T0858/","status":"guidance_only","counts":{"sigma":0,"atlas_basic":0,"atlas_anomaly":0,"strategies":1,"analytics":1,"live_validated":0},"sigma_rules":[],"atlas_basic":[],"atlas_anomaly":[],"anomaly_types":[],"strategies":[{"id":"DET0755","name":"Detection of Change Operating Mode","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/detectionstrategies/DET0755","stix_id":"x-mitre-detection-strategy--fddbd892-faa2-40e1-b40d-2c6e33c00f14","relationship_id":"relationship--88402181-99da-4c51-93d2-5203ee139da5","description":"","analytics":[{"id":"AN1887","name":"Analytic 1887","guidance":"Real-time monitoring identifies an Industrial Control System (ICS) protocol mode-change command targeting a field device from a source not in the approved engineering workstation list, where the transition is not immediately followed by a corresponding operator acknowledgment. Documented in Triton (the Tricon controller had to be placed in PROGRAM mode before the attack could inject its payload). OT operational-fidelity gate: Alert only when the action is not attributable to an authorized operator/engineering source for the specific target and function, and it is either outside an approved change/maintenance window or lacks matching change-control context; where telemetry permits, require corroborating device, configuration, or process-state effect. Suppress activity that fully matches approved maintenance, commissioning, failover, recovery, or tested control procedures.","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/detectionstrategies/DET0755#AN1887","platforms":["Embedded"],"tuning":[{"field":"ChangeControlWindow","description":"Scheduled maintenance periods during which mode changes are authorized."},{"field":"EngineeringWorkstationList","description":"IP allowlist of workstations authorized to issue mode-change commands."},{"field":"ModeChangeAckWindow","description":"Time window within which a legitimate operator acknowledgment is expected following a mode-change event."}],"log_sources":[{"component_id":"DC0108","component":"Device Alarm","name":"operationaldb:AlarmEvent","channel":"device mode-change alarm generated without corresponding operator_id entry within mode change ack window","platforms":["Embedded"],"analytic_id":"AN1887","source_url":"https://attack.mitre.org/detectionstrategies/DET0755#AN1887","validation":"upstream_definition_not_locally_validated","component_page":"telemetry/DC0108/"},{"component_id":"DC0085","component":"Network Traffic Content","name":"NSM:Content","channel":"mode-change service from source not in engineering workstation list outside change control window","platforms":["Embedded"],"analytic_id":"AN1887","source_url":"https://attack.mitre.org/detectionstrategies/DET0755#AN1887","validation":"upstream_definition_not_locally_validated","component_page":"telemetry/DC0085/"},{"component_id":"DC0038","component":"Application Log Content","name":"engineeringworkstation:ApplicationLog","channel":"mode-change session logged without corresponding change ticket reference","platforms":["Embedded"],"analytic_id":"AN1887","source_url":"https://attack.mitre.org/detectionstrategies/DET0755#AN1887","validation":"upstream_definition_not_locally_validated","component_page":"telemetry/DC0038/"}]}]}],"telemetry_references":[{"id":"DC0038","name":"Application Log Content","tag":"Application Log Content","page":"telemetry/DC0038/","kind":"attack_component"},{"id":"DC0108","name":"Device Alarm","tag":"Device Alarm","page":"telemetry/DC0108/","kind":"attack_component"},{"id":"DC0085","name":"Network Traffic Content","tag":"Network Traffic Content","page":"telemetry/DC0085/","kind":"attack_component"}],"visibility":"source_mapped","visibility_note":null,"tool_references":[],"related_parent":null,"article_url":"https://1200km.com/articles/read/2026/2026-04-20-malicious-activity-as-a-statistical-signal-a-detection-engineering-analysis-of-anomaly-bas-90df8b6dea12/","validation":{"source_join":"exact_ids","sigma_yaml":"parsed","backend_compilation":"not_run","live_telemetry":"not_run","detection_execution":"not_run"}},"tools":[],"software":[{"id":"S1006","name":"PLC-Blaster","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1006","kind":"malware","description":"[PLC-Blaster](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1006) stops the execution of the user program on the target to enable the transfer of its own code. The worm then copies itself to the target and subsequently starts the target PLC again. (Citation: Spenneberg, Ralf, Maik Brggemann, and Hendrik Schwartke March 2016)","relationship_id":"relationship--a4c81fe6-1ad9-4bba-a415-a3c099eaa2be","references":[{"source_name":"Spenneberg, Ralf, Maik Brggemann, and Hendrik Schwartke March 2016","description":"Spenneberg, Ralf, Maik Brggemann, and Hendrik Schwartke 2016, March 31 Plc-blaster: A worm living solely in the plc. Retrieved. 2017/09/19 ","url":"https://www.blackhat.com/docs/asia-16/materials/asia-16-Spenneberg-PLC-Blaster-A-Worm-Living-Solely-In-The-PLC-wp.pdf"}]},{"id":"S1009","name":"Triton","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1009","kind":"malware","description":"[Triton](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1009) has the ability to halt or run a program through the TriStation protocol. TsHi.py contains instances of halt and run functions being executed.(Citation: MDudek-ICS)","relationship_id":"relationship--74b66248-2cb6-46ea-b52c-c7d60c170f3f","references":[{"source_name":"MDudek-ICS","description":"MDudek-ICS   TRISIS-TRITON-HATMAN Retrieved. 2019/11/03 ","url":"https://github.com/MDudek-ICS/TRISIS-TRITON-HATMAN/tree/master/decompiled_code/library"}]},{"id":"S1045","name":"INCONTROLLER","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1045","kind":"malware","description":"[INCONTROLLER](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1045) can establish a remote HTTP connection to change the operating mode of Omron PLCs.(Citation: Dragos-Pipedream)(Citation: Wylie-22) ","relationship_id":"relationship--51eb15a3-48af-470f-94c0-10f25b366d72","references":[{"source_name":"Dragos-Pipedream","description":"DRAGOS. (2022, April 13). Pipedream: Chernovite’s Emerging Malware Targeting Industrial Control Systems. Retrieved September 28, 2022.","url":"https://hub.dragos.com/hubfs/116-Whitepapers/Dragos_ChernoviteWP_v2b.pdf?hsLang=en"},{"source_name":"Wylie-22","description":"Jimmy Wylie. (2022, August). Analyzing PIPEDREAM: Challenges in Testing an ICS Attack Toolkit. Defcon 30.","url":"https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2030/DEF%20CON%2030%20presentations/Jimmy%20Wylie%20-%20Analyzing%20PIPEDREAM%20Challenges%20in%20testing%20an%20ICS%20attack%20toolkit.pdf"}]}],"actors":[],"mitigations":[{"id":"M0800","name":"Authorization Enforcement","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0800","kind":"course-of-action","description":"All field controllers should restrict operating mode changes to only required authenticated users (e.g., engineers, field technicians), preferably through implementing a role-based access mechanism. Further, physical mechanisms (e.g., keys) can also be used to limit unauthorized operating mode changes.\n","relationship_id":"relationship--eeeff03f-7436-4f76-8591-42075e6647d4","references":[]},{"id":"M0801","name":"Access Management","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0801","kind":"course-of-action","description":"Authenticate all access to field controllers before authorizing access to, or modification of, a device's state, logic, or programs. Centralized authentication techniques can help manage the large number of field controller accounts needed across the ICS.\n","relationship_id":"relationship--a86cee0a-dc49-4c95-b5dc-37405337490b","references":[]},{"id":"M0802","name":"Communication Authenticity","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0802","kind":"course-of-action","description":"Protocols used for device management should authenticate all network messages to prevent unauthorized system changes.\n","relationship_id":"relationship--12a6c5bc-c685-4249-b8c6-e6d49aa2b9ed","references":[]},{"id":"M0804","name":"Human User Authentication","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0804","kind":"course-of-action","description":"All field controllers should require users to authenticate for all remote or local management sessions. The authentication mechanisms should also support [Account Use Policies](https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0936), [Password Policies](https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0927), and [User Account Management](https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0918).","relationship_id":"relationship--22448288-32d9-4d2c-be16-0784e119fff1","references":[]},{"id":"M0807","name":"Network Allowlists","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0807","kind":"course-of-action","description":"Use host-based allowlists to prevent devices from accepting connections from unauthorized systems. For example, allowlists can be used to ensure devices can only connect with master stations or known management/engineering workstations. (Citation: Department of Homeland Security September 2016)\n","relationship_id":"relationship--ab60fe4a-5860-410a-8bca-2cdbea95e5f8","references":[{"source_name":"Department of Homeland Security September 2016","description":"Department of Homeland Security 2016, September Retrieved. 2020/09/25 ","url":"https://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf"}]},{"id":"M0813","name":"Software Process and Device Authentication","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0813","kind":"course-of-action","description":"Authenticate connections from software and devices to prevent unauthorized systems from accessing protected management functions.\n","relationship_id":"relationship--7d5759cd-890e-4ec5-b92b-aba225d52960","references":[]},{"id":"M0930","name":"Network Segmentation","url":"https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M0930","kind":"course-of-action","description":"Segment operational network and systems to restrict access to critical system functions to predetermined management systems. (Citation: Department of Homeland Security September 2016)\n","relationship_id":"relationship--e6e0ef82-2cb6-43fe-8f4a-b9e4d5a57b13","references":[{"source_name":"Department of Homeland Security September 2016","description":"Department of Homeland Security 2016, September Retrieved. 2020/09/25 ","url":"https://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf"}]}],"candidates":[],"simulation":{"atomic_status":"no_atomic_candidate","lab_execution":"not_run","browser_attack_runner":false,"prerequisites":"Use a process simulator or isolated test rig with no connection to production controllers or physical actuators. Preserve safety interlocks; destructive effects require synthetic evidence, not real equipment damage.","scenario":null},"validation":{"source_identity":"checked_against_pinned_source","relationship_join":"exact_ids_no_inheritance","page_contract":"automated_checks_required","sensor_capture":"not_run","detection_backend":"not_run","adversary_simulation":"not_run","independent_incident_fact_check":"not_performed"},"technique_links":{"T0845":"/ttp-simulation/techniques/ics/T0845/","T0843":"/ttp-simulation/techniques/ics/T0843/","T0858":"/ttp-simulation/techniques/ics/T0858/"},"synthetic":{"schema":"1200km.ttp.collection-fixture.v1","synthetic":true,"technique_key":"ics/T0858","purpose":"Collection/parser contract exercise, NOT a positive example or detection of this TTP.","events":[{"schema":"1200km.telemetry.example.v1","synthetic":true,"timestamp":"2026-09-27T12:00:00Z","telemetry_id":"DC0038","collector":"illustrative-lab-collector","observation":{"service":"lab-portal","action":"export_requested","actor":"lab-reader","record_count":3,"result":"authorized"}},{"schema":"1200km.telemetry.example.v1","synthetic":true,"timestamp":"2026-09-27T12:00:00Z","telemetry_id":"DC0108","collector":"illustrative-lab-collector","observation":{"asset_id":"lab-controller-1","alarm_code":"LAB_COMM_LOSS","severity":"warning","active":true}},{"schema":"1200km.telemetry.example.v1","synthetic":true,"timestamp":"2026-09-27T12:00:00Z","telemetry_id":"DC0085","collector":"illustrative-lab-collector","observation":{"flow_id":"lab-flow-1","protocol":"http","method":"GET","path":"/lab-check","payload_excerpt":"LAB_TELEMETRY_CHECK"}}]}}