Exploit Techniques

Applies To: WatchGuard Advanced EPDR, WatchGuard EPDR, WatchGuard EDR, WatchGuard EPP, WatchGuard EDR Core

The Exploit Activity table shows the exploit technique detected, as well as the name of the compromised program.

Screen shot of Exploit Techniques column in Exploit Activity list.

These are the different techniques monitored:

Exploit/Metasploit

The Metasploit Framework is a testing platform that enables its users to create, test, and execute exploit code. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects a metasploit shellcode signature, it appears as an Exploit/Metasploit exploit technique.

Exploit/ReflectiveLoader

Reflective DLL injection uses reflective programming to load a library from memory into a host process without detection. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects a reflective executable loading (for example, metasploit or cobalt strike), it appears as an Exploit/ReflectiveLoader exploit technique.

Exploit/RemoteAPCInjection

The asynchronous procedure call (APC) is a legitimate way to run code in a process thread that waits for data without consuming resources. To evade process-based defenses and possibly elevate privileges, attackers can use the APC queue to inject malicious code into a process. APC injection executes arbitrary code in the address space of a separate live process. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects remote code injection by an APC, it appears as an Exploit/RemoteAPCInjection exploit technique.

Exploit/DynamicExec

Code injections occur when applications allow the dynamic execution of code instructions from untrusted data. An attacker can influence the behavior of the targeted application and modify it to get access to sensitive data. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects the execution of code in pages without execution permissions (32-bits only), it appears as an Exploit/DynamicExec exploit technique.

Exploit/HookBypass

Hooking refers to the interception of function calls, system events, or messages. The code snippets that perform these interceptions are called hooks. WatchGuard Endpoint Security products use hooks to monitor events in the operating system. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects a hook bypass in a running function, it appears as an Exploit/HookBypass exploit technique.

Exploit/ShellcodeBehavior

Shellcode is a small piece of machine code used as the payload in the exploitation of a software vulnerability. Exploits commonly inject a shellcode into the target process before or at the same time as they exploit a vulnerability. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects the execution of code on MEM_PRIVATE pages that does not correspond to a Portable Executable (PE), it appears as a ShellcodeBehavior exploit technique.

Exploit/ROP1

Return-oriented programming (ROP) is an exploit technique that enables attackers to control the call stack and program control flow. The attacker then executes machine instruction sequences that are already present in the machine memory. These instructions usually end in a return instruction and are located in a subroutine within an existing program or shared library code. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects the execution of memory management APIs when the stack is out of the thread limits, it appears as an Exploit/ROP1 exploit technique.

Exploit/IE_GodMode

Windows God Mode enables you to quickly access administrative tools, backup and restore options, and other important management settings from a single window. This includes Internet options. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects God Mode in Internet Explorer, it appears as an Exploit/IE_GodMode exploit technique.

Exploit/RunPE

RunPE is a type of malware that hides code inside a legitimate process. It is sometimes referred to as a hollowing technique. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects process hollowing techniques or RunPE, it appears as an Exploit/RunPE exploit technique.

Exploit/PsReflectiveLoader1

Hackers commonly use reflective loaders to extract sensitive information, such as passwords and credentials, from system memory. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects a PowerShell reflective loader in the computer, such as mimikatz, it appears as an Exploit/PsReflectiveLoader1.

Exploit/PsReflectiveLoader2

Hackers commonly use reflective loaders to extract sensitive information, such as passwords and credentials, from system memory. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects a PowerShell reflective loader in a remote computer (not the local computer), such as mimikatz, it appears as an Exploit/PsReflectiveLoader2.

Exploit/NetReflectiveLoader

Hackers commonly use reflective loaders to extract sensitive information, such as passwords and credentials, from system memory. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects a NET reflective loader, such as Assembly.Load, it appears as an Exploit/NetReflectiveLoader exploit technique.

Exploit/JS2DOT

js2-mode is a JavaScript editing mode for GNU Emacs (a free, customizable text editor). If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects a JS2DOT technique, it appears as an exploit technique.

Exploit/Covenant

Covenant is a .NET collaborative command and control platform for cybersecurity professionals. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects the Covenant framework, it appears as an exploit technique.

Exploit/DumpLsass

Adversaries can attempt to access credential material stored in the process memory of the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects an Lsass process memory dump, it appears as an exploit technique.

Exploit/APC_Exec

To evade process-based defenses or elevate privileges, attackers can try to inject malicious code into processes in the asynchronous procedure call (APC) queue. APC injection is a method that executes arbitrary code in a separate live process. If WatchGuard Endpoint Security detects local code execution through APC, it appears as an Exploit/APC_Exec exploit technique.

To exclude the detection of a technique for a specific program:

  • On the Exploit Detection page, in the Action section, select Do not detect again for a specific program.

Screen shot of Exploit Detection action.