Detection of Audio Capture

Technique Detected:  Audio Capture | T1429

ID: DET0673
Domains: Mobile
Analytics: AN1772, AN1773
Version: 1.0
Created: 21 October 2025
Last Modified: 12 May 2026

Analytics

AN1772

For Android, detect Audio Capture by correlating analyst-visible device/network evidence and management state; use streaming or batched telemetry only where the documented collector is deployed. Correlate API Calls via Application Vetting / Instrumented Dynamic Analysis [Dynamic API/runtime trace: AudioRecord.startRecording() or MediaRecorder.start() called by app NOT IN $AudioAllowList$]; File Creation via Application Vetting / Forensic Acquisition [Dynamic filesystem trace or acquired app-container/filesystem artifacts: open() with O_CREAT for file with audio MIME type (audio/mp4, audio/aac, audio/3gpp) in /data/data//files/ within $AudioCaptureWindow$ of recording API start]; Network Traffic Flow via Android Enterprise Network Logging / Enterprise VPN [DevicePolicyManager.retrieveNetworkLogs(): DnsEvent / ConnectEvent; VPN flow metadata]. Alert on a sequence or state change inconsistent with the device/app baseline, approved management policy, or expected user workflow; do not infer unobserved API calls, file/process activity, or payload content from management state alone.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
API Calls (DC0112) mobile:DynamicAnalysis Dynamic API/runtime trace: AudioRecord.startRecording() or MediaRecorder.start() called by app NOT IN $AudioAllowList$
File Creation (DC0039) mobile:ForensicArtifacts Dynamic filesystem trace or acquired app-container/filesystem artifacts: open() with O_CREAT for file with audio MIME type (audio/mp4, audio/aac, audio/3gpp) in /data/data//files/ within $AudioCaptureWindow$ of recording API start
Network Traffic Flow (DC0078) android:EnterpriseNetworkLog DevicePolicyManager.retrieveNetworkLogs(): DnsEvent / ConnectEvent; VPN flow metadata
Permissions Request (DC0116) android:DevicePolicyManager DevicePolicyManager.getPermissionGrantState(); PackageManager manifest/requested-permission review
Mutable Elements
Field Description
AudioAllowList VoIP, voice memo, approved call recorder apps. Derive from MDM catalog.
AudioCaptureWindow Default 60s between recording start and file write.
AudioUplinkThreshold Default 50KB — ~10s of audio at typical mobile codec rate.
AppCDNList Per-app CDN. Derive by measurement.
ExfilWindow Default 120s.

AN1773

For iOS, detect Audio Capture by correlating analyst-visible device/network evidence and management state; use streaming or batched telemetry only where the documented collector is deployed. Correlate Application Permission via Application Vetting [Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys]; Network Traffic Flow via Apple Network Extension / Enterprise VPN [NEFilterFlow / per-app VPN / secure-web-gateway flow metadata]; Permissions Request via Application Vetting [Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys]. Alert on a sequence or state change inconsistent with the device/app baseline, approved management policy, or expected user workflow; do not infer unobserved API calls, file/process activity, or payload content from management state alone.

Log Sources
Data Component Name Channel
Application Permission (DC0114) mobile:ApplicationVetting Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys
Network Traffic Flow (DC0078) iOS:NetworkExtension NEFilterFlow / per-app VPN / secure-web-gateway flow metadata
Permissions Request (DC0116) mobile:ApplicationVetting Code-signing entitlements and Info.plist privacy usage-description keys
Mutable Elements
Field Description
AudioAllowList VoIP, voice memo, approved recording app bundle IDs. Derive from MDM catalog.
AudioUplinkThreshold Default 50KB — ~10 seconds of audio at typical mobile codec.
AppCDNList Per-app CDN baseline.