T1037

macOS Windows Linux Network Devices ESXi
Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts

Description

Adversaries may use scripts automatically executed at boot or logon initialization to establish persistence. Initialization scripts can be used to perform administrative functions, which may often execute other programs or send information to an internal logging server.

These scripts can vary based on operating system and whether applied locally or remotely. Adversaries may use these scripts to maintain persistence on a single system.

Depending on the access configuration of the logon scripts, either local credentials or an administrator account may be necessary. An adversary may also be able to escalate their privileges since some boot or logon initialization scripts run with higher privileges.

Sub-techniques

T1037.001 — Logon Script (Windows) T1037.002 — Login Hook T1037.003 — Network Logon Script T1037.004 — RC Scripts T1037.005 — Startup Items