AML.T0097: Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion
Adversaries may employ various means to detect and avoid virtualization and analysis environments. This may include changing behaviors based on the results of checks for the presence of artifacts indicative of a virtual machine environment (VME) or sandbox. If the adversary detects a VME, they may alter their malware to disengage from the victim or conceal the core functions of the implant. They may also search for VME artifacts before dropping secondary or additional payloads.
Adversaries may use several methods to accomplish Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion such as checking for security monitoring tools (e.g., Sysinternals, Wireshark, etc.) or other system artifacts associated with analysis or virtualization such as registry keys (e.g. substrings matching Vmware, VBOX, QEMU), environment variables (e.g. substrings matching VBOX, VMWARE, PARALLELS), NIC MAC addresses (e.g. prefixes 00-05-69 (VMWare) or 08-00-27 (VirtualBox)), running processes (e.g. vmware.exe, vboxservice.exe, qemu-ga.exe) [\[1\]][1].
[1]: https://research.checkpoint.com/2025/ai-evasion-prompt-injection/
Standards mapping
Where this fits in a TurboPentest engagement
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Frequently asked questions
What is AML.T0097 Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion?
Adversaries may employ various means to detect and avoid virtualization and analysis environments. This may include changing behaviors based on the results of checks for the presence of artifacts indicative of a virtual machine environment (VME) or sandbox. If the adversary detects a VME, they may alter their malware to disengage from the victim or conceal the core functions of the implant. They may also search for VME artifacts before dropping secondary or additional payloads. Adversaries may use several methods to accomplish Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion such as checking for security monitoring tools (e.g., Sysinternals, Wireshark, etc.) or other system artifacts associated with analysis or virtualization such as registry keys (e.g. substrings matching Vmware, VBOX, QEMU), environment variables (e.g. substrings matching VBOX, VMWARE, PARALLELS), NIC MAC addresses (e.g. prefixes 00-05-69 (VMWare) or 08-00-27 (VirtualBox)), running processes (e.g. vmware.exe, vboxservice.exe, qemu-ga.exe) [\[1\]][1]. [1]: https://research.checkpoint.com/2025/ai-evasion-prompt-injection/
Which tactics does AML.T0097 belong to?
AML.T0097 maps to the Defense Evasion tactic.
Does TurboPentest test for Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion?
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Related MITRE ATLAS techniques
- Initial Access, Defense Evasion, ImpactAML.T0015: Evade AI Model
- Privilege Escalation, Defense EvasionAML.T0054: LLM Jailbreak
- Defense EvasionAML.T0067: LLM Trusted Output Components Manipulation
- Defense EvasionAML.T0068: LLM Prompt Obfuscation
- Defense EvasionAML.T0071: False RAG Entry Injection
- Defense EvasionAML.T0073: Impersonation
About this reference
These security references are maintained by IntegSec, an offensive-security firm whose team holds CISSP, OSCP, and OSCE certifications and has run thousands of penetration tests. Content is kept current as tools, standards, and attack techniques evolve.
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