Standard attack pattern
Draft
CAPEC-68: Subvert Code-signing Facilities
Many languages use code signing facilities to vouch for code's identity and to thus tie code to its assigned privileges within an environment. Subverting this mechanism can be instrumental in an attacker escalating privilege. Any means of subverting the way that a virtual machine enforces code signing classifies for this style of attack.
Last updated
Very High
Typical severity
Per MITRE
Low
Likelihood of attack
Per MITRE
3
Related weaknesses
CWEs this targets
Standard
Abstraction
MITRE classification
Overview
CAPEC-68 (Subvert Code-signing Facilities) is a standard-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
- A framework-based language that supports code signing (such as, and most commonly, Java or .NET)
- Deployed code that has been signed by its authoring vendor, or a partner.
- The attacker will, for most circumstances, also need to be able to place code in the victim container. This does not necessarily mean that they will have to subvert host-level security, except when explicitly indicated.
Skills required
- High skill: Subverting code signing is not a trivial activity. Most code signing and verification schemes are based on use of cryptography and the attacker needs to have an understanding of these cryptographic operations in good detail. Additionally the attacker also needs to be aware of the way memory is assigned and accessed by the container since, often, the only way to subvert code signing would be to patch the code in memory. Finally, a knowledge of the platform specific mechanisms of signing and verifying code is a must.
Resources required
- The Attacker needs no special resources beyond the listed prerequisites in order to conduct this style of attack.
Consequences
What a successful CAPEC-68 attack can achieve.
Gain Privileges
Affects: Confidentiality, Access Control, Authorization