CAPEC-168: Windows ::DATA Alternate Data Stream

Overview

CAPEC-168 (Windows ::DATA Alternate Data Stream) is a detailed-level attack pattern catalogued by MITRE in the Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC). It describes a recurring method attackers use to exploit software weaknesses.

What the attacker needs

Prerequisites

The target must be running the Microsoft NTFS file system.

Resources required

The attacker must have command line or programmatic access to the target's files system with write/read permissions.

How to mitigate it

Defenses that reduce the risk of CAPEC-168.

Design: Use FAT file systems which do not support Alternate Data Streams.
Implementation: Use Vista dir with the -R switch or utility to find Alternate Data Streams and take appropriate action with those discovered.
Implementation: Use products that are Alternate Data Stream aware for virus scanning and system security operations.

The CWE weaknesses that CAPEC-168 exploits.

How this attack relates to others in the CAPEC hierarchy.

Parent

CAPEC-636: Hiding Malicious Data or Code within Files

Terminology & mappings

Mapped taxonomies

OWASP Attacks: Windows alternate data stream

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about CAPEC-168.

What is CAPEC-168?

An attacker exploits the functionality of Microsoft NTFS Alternate Data Streams (ADS) to undermine system security. ADS allows multiple "files" to be stored in one directory entry referenced as filename:streamname. One or more alternate data streams may be stored in any file or directory. Normal Microsoft utilities do not show the presence of an ADS stream attached to a file. The additional space for the ADS is not recorded in the displayed file size. The additional space for ADS is accounted for in the used space on the volume. An ADS can be any type of file. ADS are copied by standard Microsoft utilities between NTFS volumes. ADS can be used by an attacker or intruder to hide tools, scripts, and data from detection by normal system utilities. Many anti-virus programs do not check for or scan ADS. Windows Vista does have a switch (-R) on the command line DIR command that will display alternate streams.

How do you prevent CAPEC-168?

Design: Use FAT file systems which do not support Alternate Data Streams.

What weaknesses does CAPEC-168 target?

CAPEC-168 exploits 2 CWE weaknesses, including CWE-69 (Improper Handling of Windows ::DATA Alternate Data Stream), CWE-212 (Improper Removal of Sensitive Information Before Storage or Transfer).

How severe is CAPEC-168?

MITRE rates CAPEC-168 as Medium severity.

References

MITRE CAPEC definition (CAPEC-168) (opens in a new tab)

Attack-pattern data is sourced from the MITRE CAPEC catalog (v3.9). Weakness associations link to the corresponding CWE entries on RadicalNotion.AI.