Sub-technique of T1547 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution.View on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may add or modify XDG Autostart Entries to execute malicious programs or commands when a user’s desktop environment is loaded at login. XDG Autostart entries are available for any XDG-compliant Linux system. XDG Autostart entries use Desktop Entry files (`.desktop`) to configure the user’s desktop environment upon user login. These configuration files determine what applications launch upon user login, define associated applications to open specific file types, and define applications used to open removable media.
Adversaries may abuse this feature to establish persistence by adding a path to a malicious binary or command to the `Exec` directive in the `.desktop` configuration file. When the user’s desktop environment is loaded at user login, the `.desktop` files located in the XDG Autostart directories are automatically executed. System-wide Autostart entries are located in the `/etc/xdg/autostart` directory while the user entries are located in the `~/.config/autostart` directory.
Adversaries may combine this technique with Masquerading to blend malicious Autostart entries with legitimate programs.
Rules on DetectionCode tagged with T1547.013.
None recorded.
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| GroupContagious Interview | Contagious Interview has established persistence using InvisibleFerret malware to create a .desktop entry to run on startup on GNOME-based Linux devices. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| MalwareCrossRAT | CrossRAT can use an XDG Autostart to establish persistence. |
| MalwareFysbis | If executing without root privileges, Fysbis adds a `.desktop` configuration file to the user's `~/.config/autostart` directory. |
| MalwareInvisibleFerret | InvisibleFerret has established persistence within GNOME-based Linux environments by placing entries within `.desktop` that run on Startup. |
| MalwareNETWIRE | NETWIRE can use XDG Autostart Entries to establish persistence on Linux systems. |
| ToolPupy | Pupy can use an XDG Autostart to establish persistence. |
| MalwareRotaJakiro | When executing with user-level permissions, RotaJakiro can install persistence using a .desktop file under the `$HOME/.config/autostart/` folder. |
Data from MITRE ATT&CK® (Enterprise). ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation.
