TA0011 · COMMAND AND CONTROL
Data Encoding
Adversaries may encode data to make the content of command and control traffic more difficult to detect. Command and control (C2) information can be encoded using a standard data encoding system.
Detect it with
Analyze network data for uncommon data flows (e.g., a client sending significantly more data than it receives from a server). Processes utilizing the network that do not normally have network communication or have never been seen before are suspicious.
Why it matters on shift
Data Encoding is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve command and control. 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 command and control, the next tactic is usually Exfiltration. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
2 sub-techniques
How it shows up in practice
- T1132.001
Standard Encoding
Adversaries may encode data with a standard data encoding system to make the content of command and control traffic more difficult to detect.
- T1132.002
Non-Standard Encoding
Adversaries may encode data with a non-standard data encoding system to make the content of command and control traffic more difficult to detect.
Kill-chain context