TA0005 · DEFENSE EVASION
LNK Icon Smuggling
Adversaries may smuggle commands to download malicious payloads past content filters by hiding them within otherwise seemingly benign windows shortcut files.
Detect it with
No MITRE detection guidance published. Build coverage from the parent technique and your own telemetry.
Why it matters on shift
LNK Icon Smuggling is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve defense evasion. 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 defense evasion, the next tactic is usually Credential Access. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
Kill-chain context