CAPEC-533 Detail

An attacker introduces malicious code to the victim's system by altering the payload of a software update, allowing for additional compromise or site disruption at the victim location. These manual, or user-assisted attacks, vary from requiring the user to download and run an executable, to as streamlined as tricking the user to click a URL. Attacks which aim at penetrating a specific network infrastructure often rely upon secondary attack methods to achieve the desired impact. Spamming, for example, is a common method employed as an secondary attack vector. Thus the attacker has in their arsenal a choice of initial attack vectors ranging from traditional SMTP/POP/IMAP spamming and its varieties, to web-application mechanisms which commonly implement both chat and rich HTML messaging within the user interface.

Prerequisites

Advanced knowledge about the download and update installation processes.
Advanced knowledge about the deployed system and its various software subcomponents and processes.

Skills Required

Able to develop malicious code that can be used on the victim's system while maintaining normal functionality.

Mitigations

Only accept software updates from an official source.

Related Weaknesses

References

REF-710

Fake Microsoft update used in malicious email attack campaign
Sean Endicott.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/fake-microsoft-update-used-in-malicious-email-attack-campaign/ar-AALTcVs

Submission

Modifications