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ATT&CK Technique

Downgrade Attack

T1689 · defense-impairment

Adversaries may downgrade or use a version of system features that may be outdated, vulnerable, and/or does not support updated security controls. Downgrade attacks typically take advantage of a system’s backward compatibility to force it into less secure modes of operation. Adversaries may downgrade and use various less-secure versions of features of a system, such as Command and Scripting Interpreter or even network protocols that can be abused to enable Adversary-in-the-Middle or Network Sniffing.

For example, PowerShell versions 5+ includes Script Block Logging (SBL), which can record executed script content. However, adversaries may attempt to execute a previous version of PowerShell that does not support SBL with the intent to impair defenses while running malicious scripts that may have otherwise been detected. Adversaries may similarly target network traffic to downgrade from an encrypted HTTPS connection to an unsecured HTTP connection that exposes network data in clear text.

On Windows systems, adversaries may downgrade the boot manager to a vulnerable version that bypasses Secure Boot, granting the ability to disable various operating system security mechanisms.

macOSWindowsLinux
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Atomic Tests

3
Executable Atomic Red Team test cases for exercising this technique in a lab. Copy a command, run it on the listed platform, confirm your detections fire.
powershellelevatedlinuxESXi - Change VIB acceptance level to CommunitySupported via PowerCLI
An adversary can change the VIB acceptance level to CommunitySupported to downgrade the acceptance criteria.This can be accomplished via PowerCLI. Afterwards an adversary may proceed to installing malicious VIBs on the host. [Reference](https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/esxi-hypervisors-detection-hardening) 
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false 
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
(Get-EsxCli -VMHost #{vm_host} -V2).software.acceptance.set.Invoke(@{level = "CommunitySupported"})
Disconnect-VIServer -Confirm:$false
command_promptwindowsESXi - Change VIB acceptance level to CommunitySupported via ESXCLI
An adversary will change the VIB acceptance level to CommunitySupported to downgrade the acceptance criteria via ESXCLI. Afterwards an adversary may proceed to installing malicious VIBs on the host. [Reference](https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/esxi-hypervisors-detection-hardening) 
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" "#{vm_host}" -ssh  -l "#{vm_user}" -pw "#{vm_pass}" -m "#{cli_script}"
powershellwindowsPowerShell Version 2 Downgrade
Executes outdated PowerShell Version 2 which does not support security features like AMSI. By default the atomic will attempt to execute the cmdlet Invoke-Mimikatz whether it exists or not, as this cmdlet will be blocked by AMSI when active.
PowerShell -version 2 -command '#{v2_command}'
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Mitigations

2
MITRE ATT&CK mitigations - vendor-agnostic guidance for reducing exposure to this technique.
M1042Disable or Remove Feature or Program

Disable or remove unnecessary and potentially vulnerable software, features, or services to reduce the attack surface and prevent abuse by adversaries. This involves identifying software or features that are no longer needed or that could be exploited and ensuring they are either removed or properly disabled.

Remove Legacy Software
  • Use Case: Disable or remove older versions of software that no longer receive updates or security patches (e.g., legacy Java, Adobe Flash).
  • Implementation: A company removes Flash Player from all employee systems after it has reached its end-of-life date.
Disable Unused Features
  • Use Case: Turn off unnecessary operating system features like SMBv1, Telnet, or RDP if they are not required.
  • Implementation: Disable SMBv1 in a Windows environment to mitigate vulnerabilities like EternalBlue.
Control Applications Installed by Users
  • Use Case: Prevent users from installing unauthorized software via group policies or other management tools.
  • Implementation: Block user installations of unauthorized file-sharing applications (e.g., BitTorrent clients) in an enterprise environment.
Remove Unnecessary Services
  • Use Case: Identify and disable unnecessary default services running on endpoints, servers, or network devices.
  • Implementation: Disable unused administrative shares (e.g., C$, ADMIN$) on workstations.
Restrict Add-ons and Plugins
  • Use Case: Remove or disable browser plugins and add-ons that are not needed for business purposes.
  • Implementation: Disable Java and ActiveX plugins in web browsers to prevent drive-by attacks.
M1054Software Configuration

Software configuration refers to making security-focused adjustments to the settings of applications, middleware, databases, or other software to mitigate potential threats. These changes help reduce the attack surface, enforce best practices, and protect sensitive data.

Conduct a Security Review of Application Settings
  • Review the software documentation to identify recommended security configurations.
  • Compare default settings against organizational policies and compliance requirements.
Implement Access Controls and Permissions
  • Restrict access to sensitive features or data within the software.
  • Enforce least privilege principles for all roles and accounts interacting with the software.
Enable Logging and Monitoring
  • Configure detailed logging for key application events such as authentication failures, configuration changes, or unusual activity.
  • Integrate logs with a centralized monitoring solution, such as a SIEM.
Update and Patch Software Regularly
  • Ensure the software is kept up-to-date with the latest security patches to address known vulnerabilities.
  • Use automated patch management tools to streamline the update process.
Disable Unnecessary Features or Services
  • Turn off unused functionality or components that could introduce vulnerabilities, such as debugging interfaces or deprecated APIs.
Test Configuration Changes
  • Perform configuration changes in a staging environment before applying them in production.
  • Conduct regular audits to ensure that settings remain aligned with security policies.
Tools for Implementation Configuration Management Tools
  • Ansible: Automates configuration changes across multiple applications and environments.
  • Chef: Ensures consistent application settings through code-based configuration management.
  • Puppet: Automates software configurations and audits changes for compliance.
Security Benchmarking Tools
  • CIS-CAT: Provides benchmarks and audits for secure software configurations.
  • Aqua Security Trivy: Scans containerized applications for configuration issues.
Vulnerability Management Solutions
  • Nessus: Identifies misconfigurations and suggests corrective actions.
Logging and Monitoring Tools
  • Splunk: Aggregates and analyzes application logs to detect suspicious activity.
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Detection Coverage

1/6 layers
Coverage across standard detection surfaces. Rows marked none have no rule of that type mapped. Some are real blind spots worth closing; others are simply not applicable to this technique (e.g. YARA matches malware files, not network behaviour).
Behavioral / log (Sigma) 1
Analytics (MITRE CAR) none
Runtime / container (Falco) none
File / malware (YARA) none
Network (Suricata/Snort) none
Vuln scan (Nuclei) none
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