T1614Techniquediscoveryagent-callable
T1614System Location Discovery
Platforms: Windows · Linux · macOS · IaaS
ATT&CK version: 14.1
What it is
Adversaries may gather information in an attempt to calculate the geographical location of a victim host. Adversaries may use the information from [System Location Discovery](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1614) during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.
Adversaries may attempt to infer the location of a system using various system checks, such as time zone, keyboard layout, and/or language settings.(Citation: FBI Ragnar Locker 2020)(Citation: Sophos Geolocation 2016)(Citation: Bleepingcomputer RAT malware 2020) Windows API functions such as <code>GetLocaleInfoW</code> can also be used to determine the locale of the host.(Citation: FBI Ragnar Locker 2020) In cloud environments, an instance's availability zone may also be discovered by accessing the instance metadata service from the instance.(Citation: AWS Instance Identity Documents)(Citation: Microsoft Azure Instance Metadata 2021)
Adversaries may also attempt to infer the location of a victim host using IP addressing, such as via online geolocation IP-lookup services.(Citation: Securelist Trasparent Tribe 2020)(Citation: Sophos Geolocation 2016)
ATT&CK tactics· 1
References
- https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1614
- https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/20413525/fbi-flash-indicators-of-compromise-ragnar-locker-ransomware-11192020-bc.pdf
- https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2016/05/03/location-based-ransomware-threat-research/
- https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-rat-malware-gets-commands-via-discord-has-ransomware-feature/
- https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/instance-identity-documents.html
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/instance-metadata-service?tabs=windows
- https://securelist.com/transparent-tribe-part-1/98127/