Adversaries may use legitimate remote access software, such as VNC, TeamViewer, AirDroid, AirMirror, etc., to establish an interactive command and control channel to target mobile devices.
Remote access applications may be installed and used post-compromise as an alternate communication channel for redundant access or as a way to establish an interactive remote session with the target device. They may also be used as a component of malware to establish a reverse connection to an adversary-controlled system or service. Installation of remote access tools may also include persistence.
| ID | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| S1094 | BRATA | |
| S1092 | Escobar |
Escobar can use VNC to remotely control an infected device.[2] |
| ID | Mitigation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M1012 | Enterprise Policy |
When devices are enrolled in an EMM/MDM using device owner (iOS) or fully managed (Android) mode, the EMM/MDM can collect a list of installed applications on the device. An administrator can then act on, for example blocking, specific remote access applications from being installed on managed devices. |
| M1011 | User Guidance |
Users should be encouraged to be very careful with granting dangerous permissions, such as device administrator or access to device accessibility. |
| ID | Name | Analytic ID | Analytic Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| DET0624 | Detection of Remote Access Software | AN1689 |
For Android, detect Remote Access Software 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 Android Enterprise DPC / Application Vetting [DevicePolicyManager.getPermissionGrantState(); PackageManager manifest/requested-permission review]; Network Connection Creation via Android Enterprise Network Logging / Enterprise VPN [DevicePolicyManager.retrieveNetworkLogs(): DnsEvent / ConnectEvent; VPN flow metadata]; 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. |
| AN1690 |
For iOS, detect Remote Access Software 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 Connection Creation via Apple Network Extension / Enterprise VPN [NEFilterFlow / per-app VPN / secure-web-gateway flow metadata]; Network Traffic Flow via Apple Network Extension / Enterprise VPN [NEFilterFlow / per-app VPN / secure-web-gateway 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. |