Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion (T1497)

Tactic: stealth, Discovery

Tactics
stealth , Discovery
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Windows
Reference
attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1497

Description

Adversaries may employ various means to detect and avoid virtualization and analysis environments. This may include changing behaviors based on the results of checks for the presence of artifacts indicative of a virtual machine environment (VME) or sandbox. If the adversary detects a VME, they may alter their malware to disengage from the victim or conceal the core functions of the implant. They may also search for VME artifacts before dropping secondary or additional payloads. Adversaries may use the information learned from Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors.(Citation: Deloitte Environment Awareness)

Adversaries may use several methods to accomplish Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion such as checking for security monitoring tools (e.g., Sysinternals, Wireshark, etc.) or other system artifacts associated with analysis or virtualization. Adversaries may also check for legitimate user activity to help determine if it is in an analysis environment. Additional methods include use of sleep timers or loops within malware code to avoid operating within a temporary sandbox.(Citation: Unit 42 Pirpi July 2015)

Sub-techniques

How GTK Cyber trains on this

GTK Cyber's Threat Hunting with Data Science course teaches you to build machine-learning detections for techniques like this across the MITRE ATT&CK framework, including the stealth, Discovery tactic this technique falls under. Practitioner-led, focused on real detections, not memorizing technique IDs.

Threat Hunting with Data Science → · All training courses

Related techniques

Train your team to detect attacks like this.

GTK Cyber's Threat Hunting with Data Science course is taught by practitioners who detect this stuff for a living.

Explore Threat Hunting Training