CAPEC-457: USB Memory Attacks

Overview

CAPEC-457 (USB Memory Attacks) 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.

How the attack works

The phases an attacker typically follows to carry out this attack.

Step 1
Explore
[Determine Target System] In certain cases, the adversary will explore an organization's network to determine a specific target machine to exploit based on the information it contains or privileges the main user may possess.
- If needed, the adversary explores an organization's network to determine if any specific systems of interest exist.
Step 2
Experiment
[Develop or Obtain malware and install on a USB device] The adversary develops or obtains the malicious software necessary to exploit the target system, which they then install on an external USB device such as a USB flash drive.
- The adversary can develop or obtain malware for to perform a variety of tasks such as sniffing network traffic or monitoring keystrokes.
Step 3
Exploit
[Connect or deceive a user into connecting the infected USB device] Once the malware has been placed on an external USB device, the adversary connects the device to the target system or deceives a user into connecting the device to the target system such as in a USB Drop Attack.
- The adversary connects the USB device to a specified target system or performs a USB Drop Attack, hoping a user will find and connect the USB device on their own. Once the device is connected, the malware executes giving the adversary access to network traffic, credentials, etc.

What the attacker needs

Prerequisites

Some level of physical access to the device being attacked.
Information pertaining to the target organization on how to best execute a USB Drop Attack.

How to mitigate it

Defenses that reduce the risk of CAPEC-457.

Ensure that proper, physical system access is regulated to prevent an adversary from physically connecting a malicious USB device themself.
Use anti-virus and anti-malware tools which can prevent malware from executing if it finds its way onto a target system. Additionally, make sure these tools are regularly updated to contain up-to-date virus and malware signatures.
Do not connect untrusted USB devices to systems connected on an organizational network. Additionally, use an isolated testing machine to validate untrusted devices and confirm malware does not exist.

The CWE weaknesses that CAPEC-457 exploits.

CWE-1299: Missing Protection Mechanism for Alternate Hardware Interface

How this attack relates to others in the CAPEC hierarchy.

Parent

CAPEC-456: Infected Memory

Can precede

CAPEC-529: Malware-Directed Internal Reconnaissance

Terminology & mappings

Mapped taxonomies

ATTACK: Replication Through Removable Media (1091)
ATTACK: Communication Through Removable Media (1092)

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about CAPEC-457.

What is CAPEC-457?

An adversary loads malicious code onto a USB memory stick in order to infect any system which the device is plugged in to. USB drives present a significant security risk for business and government agencies. Given the ability to integrate wireless functionality into a USB stick, it is possible to design malware that not only steals confidential data, but sniffs the network, or monitor keystrokes, and then exfiltrates the stolen data off-site via a Wireless connection. Also, viruses can be transmitted via the USB interface without the specific use of a memory stick. The attacks from USB devices are often of such sophistication that experts conclude they are not the work of single individuals, but suggest state sponsorship. These attacks can be performed by an adversary with direct access to a target system or can be executed via means such as USB Drop Attacks.

How does a USB Memory Attacks attack work?

It typically unfolds over 3 phases. It begins with: [Determine Target System] In certain cases, the adversary will explore an organization's network to determine a specific target machine to exploit based on the information it contains or privileges the main user may possess.

How do you prevent CAPEC-457?

Ensure that proper, physical system access is regulated to prevent an adversary from physically connecting a malicious USB device themself.

What weaknesses does CAPEC-457 target?

CAPEC-457 exploits 1 CWE weakness, including CWE-1299 (Missing Protection Mechanism for Alternate Hardware Interface).

How severe is CAPEC-457?

MITRE rates CAPEC-457 as High severity with low likelihood of attack.

References

MITRE CAPEC definition (CAPEC-457) (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.