T1564.001 Hidden Files and Directories — ATT&CK Technique
Adversaries may set files and directories to be hidden to evade detection mechanisms. To prevent normal users from accidentally changing special files on a system, most operating systems have the concept of a ‘hidden’ file. These files don’t show up when a user browses the file system with a GUI or when using normal commands on the command line. Users must explicitly ask to show the hidden files either via a series of Graphical User Interface (GUI) prompts or with command line switches (dir /a for Windows and ls –a for Linux and macOS). On Linux and Mac, users can mark specific files as hidden simply by putting a “.” as the first character in the file or folder name. Files and folders that start with a period, ‘.’, are by default hidden from being viewed in the Finder application and standard command-line utilities like “ls”. Users must specifically change settings to have these files viewable. Files on macOS can also be marked with the UF_HIDDEN flag which prevents them from being seen in Finder.app, but still allows them to be seen in Terminal.app. On Windows, users can mark specific files as hidden by using the attrib.exe binary. Many applications create these hidden files and folders to store information so that it doesn’t clutter up the user’s workspace. For example, SSH utilities create a .ssh folder that’s hidden and contains the user’s known hosts and keys. Additionally, adversaries may name files in a manner that would allow the file to be hidden such as naming a file only a “space” character. Adversaries can use this to their advantage to hide files and folders anywhere on the system and evading a typical user or system analysis that does not incorporate investigation of hidden files.
Detection coverage (11)
- Atomic MacOS Stealer - Persistence Indicators high
- Set Files as System Files Using Attrib.EXE low
- Hidden Files and Directories low
- Hiding Files with Attrib.exe medium
- Set Suspicious Files as System Files Using Attrib.EXE high
- Use Icacls to Hide File to Everyone medium
- Displaying Hidden Files Feature Disabled medium
- Registry Persistence via Service in Safe Mode high
- PowerShell Logging Disabled Via Registry Key Tampering high
- Disable Show Hidden Files
- MacOS Hidden Files and Directories
Malware using this technique
- COATHANGER
- NETWIRE
- iKitten
- EnvyScout
- Machete
- Cuckoo Stealer
- WastedLocker
- InvisiMole
- CLAIMLOADER
- FruitFly
- Okrum
- REPTILE
- Rising Sun
- PlugX
- Explosive
- Clambling
- DarkGate
- ThiefQuest
- WannaCry
- Ixeshe
- Micropsia
- Attor
- BackConfig
- ccf32
- OSX_OCEANLOTUS.D
- Calisto
- Carberp
- SysUpdate
- QuasarRAT
- Lokibot
- PoetRAT
- CoinTicker
- HIUPAN
- XCSSET
- AppleJeus
- Agent Tesla
- TeamPCP Cloud Stealer
- QakBot
- Komplex
- OSX/Shlayer
- MacSpy
- LoudMiner
- SLOTHFULMEDIA
- Dacls
- attrib
- Imminent Monitor