TA0008 · LATERAL MOVEMENT
Remote Services
RDP, SMB admin shares, WinRM, SSH, and VNC used with valid credentials to reach new hosts.
Detect it with
Event ID 4624 Type 3 and Type 10 from unusual source workstations; new admin share access patterns.
Why it matters on shift
Remote Services is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve lateral movement. Recognising it in telemetry lets you name the technique in your ticket and pivot to what came before and after.
What to look for next
After lateral movement, the next tactic is usually Collection. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
8 sub-techniques
How it shows up in practice
- T1021.001
Remote Desktop Protocol
Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to log into a computer using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). The adversary may then perform actions as the logged-on user.
- T1021.002
SMB/Windows Admin Shares
Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to interact with a remote network share using Server Message Block (SMB). The adversary may then perform actions as the logged-on user.
- T1021.003
Distributed Component Object Model
Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to interact with remote machines by taking advantage of Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM). The adversary may then perform actions as the logged-on user.
- T1021.004
SSH
Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to log into remote machines using Secure Shell (SSH). The adversary may then perform actions as the logged-on user.
- T1021.005
VNC
Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to remotely control machines using Virtual Network Computing (VNC).
- T1021.006
Windows Remote Management
Adversaries may use Valid Accounts to interact with remote systems using Windows Remote Management (WinRM). The adversary may then perform actions as the logged-on user.
- T1021.007
Cloud Services
Adversaries may log into accessible cloud services within a compromised environment using Valid Accounts that are synchronized with or federated to on-premises user identities.
- T1021.008
Direct Cloud VM Connections
Adversaries may leverage Valid Accounts to log directly into accessible cloud hosted compute infrastructure through cloud native methods.
Kill-chain context