CAPEC-638
Altered Component Firmware
An adversary exploits systems features and/or improperly protected firmware of hardware components, such as Hard Disk Drives (HDD), with the goal of executing malicious code from within the component's Master Boot Record (MBR). Conducting this type of attack entails the adversary infecting the target with firmware altering malware, using known tools, and a payload. Once this malware is executed, the MBR is modified to include instructions to execute the payload at desired intervals and when the system is booted up. A successful attack will obtain persistence within the victim system even if the operating system is reinstalled and/or if the component is formatted or has its data erased.
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Explain the attack pattern CAPEC-638: Altered Component Firmware: how it unfolds, what it needs and how to prevent and detect it in my systems. Use https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/638.html and https://cve.bz/cve/capec/638?via=ask-ai-copy, which lists recent CVEs with the weaknesses it exploits. Cite the sources.Opens a third-party assistant; its answer is its own, not cve.bz's. The prompt holds only this attack pattern's id and public links.
How the attack unfolds
Explore
The attacker looks for a way in.
[Select Target] The adversary searches for a suitable target to attack, such as government and/or private industry organizations.
1 technique
- Conduct reconnaissance to determine potential targets to exploit.
[Identify Components] After selecting a target, the adversary determines whether a vulnerable component, such as a specific make and model of a HDD, is contained within the target system.
2 techniques
- [Remote Access Vector] The adversary gains remote access to the target, typically via additional malware, and explores the system to determine hardware components that are being leveraged.
- [Physical Access Vector] The adversary intercepts components in transit and determines if the component is vulnerable to attack.
Experiment
They probe what they found.
[Optional: Create Payload] If not using an already existing payload, the adversary creates their own to be executed at defined intervals and upon system boot processes. This payload may then be tested on the target system or a test system to confirm its functionality.
Exploit
They carry out the attack.
[Insert Firmware Altering Malware] Once a vulnerable component has been identified, the adversary leverages known malware tools to infect the component's firmware and drop the payload within the component's MBR. This allows the adversary to maintain persistence on the target and execute the payload without being detected.
2 techniques
- The adversary inserts the firmware altering malware on the target component, via the use of known malware tools.
- [Physical Access Vector] The adversary then sends the component to its original intended destination, where it will be installed onto a victim system.
Prerequisites
Advanced knowledge about the target component's firmware
Advanced knowledge about Master Boot Records (MBR)
Advanced knowledge about tools used to insert firmware altering malware.
Advanced knowledge about component shipments to the target organization.
Skills required
- High skill
Ability to access and reverse engineer hardware component firmware.
- High skill
Ability to intercept components in transit.
- Medium skill
Ability to create malicious payload to be executed from MBR.
- Low skill
Ability to leverage known malware tools to infect target system and insert firmware altering malware/payload
Resources required
Manufacturer source code for hardware components.
Malware tools used to insert malware and payload onto target component.
Either remote or physical access to the target component.
Signs of an attack
Output observed from processes, API calls, or Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) may provide insight into malicious modifications of MBRs.
Digital forensics tools may produce output that indicates an attack of this nature has occurred. Examples include unexpected disk partitions and/or unusual strings.
Consequences
| Impact | Affects | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gain Privileges, Execute Unauthorized Commands, Bypass Protection Mechanism, Hide Activities | Authentication, Authorization | |
| Read Data, Modify Data | Confidentiality, Access Control |
Mitigations
Leverage hardware components known to not be susceptible to these types of attacks.
Implement hardware RAID infrastructure.
Related attack patterns
- Part of
- CAPEC-452 Infected Hardware
Examples
In 2014, the Equation group was observed levering known malware tools to conduct component firmware alteratio…
In 2014, the Equation group was observed levering known malware tools to conduct component firmware alteration attacks against hard drives. In total, 12 HDD categories were shown to be vulnerable from manufacturers such as Western Digital, HGST, Samsung, and Seagate. Because of their complexity, only a few victims were targeted by these attacks. [REF-664]
MITRE's words, unchanged: CAPEC-638 at MITRE. CAPEC is Copyright © 2007–2026, The MITRE Corporation, used under the CAPEC terms of use: “The MITRE Corporation (MITRE) hereby grants you a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC™) for research, development, and commercial purposes. Any copy you make for such purposes is authorized provided that you reproduce MITRE’s copyright designation and this license in any such copy.” CAPEC and the CAPEC logo are trademarks of The MITRE Corporation. Credits. All attack patterns.