T1671: Cloud Application Integration
Adversaries may achieve persistence by leveraging OAuth application integrations in a software-as-a-service environment. Adversaries may create a custom application, add a legitimate application into the environment, or even co-opt an existing integration to achieve malicious ends.
OAuth is an open standard that allows users to authorize applications to access their information on their behalf. In a SaaS environment such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, users may integrate applications to improve their workflow and achieve tasks.
Leveraging application integrations may allow adversaries to persist in an environment - for example, by granting consent to an application from a high-privileged adversary-controlled account in order to maintain access to its data, even in the event of losing access to the account. In some cases, integrations may remain valid even after the original consenting user account is disabled. Application integrations may also allow adversaries to bypass multi-factor authentication requirements through the use of Application Access Tokens. Finally, they may enable persistent Automated Exfiltration over time.
Creating or adding a new application may require the adversary to create a dedicated Cloud Account for the application and assign it Additional Cloud Roles - for example, in Microsoft 365 environments, an application can only access resources via an associated service principal.
How it's found
Detection Strategy for Cloud Application Integration: Detects suspicious OAuth application integrations within Office 365 or Google Workspace environments, such as new app registrations, unexpected consent grants, or privilege assignments. Defenders should correlate between application creation/modification events and associated user or service principal activity to identify persistence via app integrations. Detects anomalous SaaS application integration activity across environments such as Slack, Salesforce, or other enterprise SaaS services. Focus is on unauthorized app additions, unusual permission grants, and persistence through service principal tokens.
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 T1671 Cloud Application Integration?
Adversaries may achieve persistence by leveraging OAuth application integrations in a software-as-a-service environment. Adversaries may create a custom application, add a legitimate application into the environment, or even co-opt an existing integration to achieve malicious ends. OAuth is an open standard that allows users to authorize applications to access their information on their behalf. In a SaaS environment such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, users may integrate applications to improve their workflow and achieve tasks. Leveraging application integrations may allow adversaries to persist in an environment - for example, by granting consent to an application from a high-privileged adversary-controlled account in order to maintain access to its data, even in the event of losing access to the account. In some cases, integrations may remain valid even after the original consenting user account is disabled. Application integrations may also allow adversaries to bypass multi-factor authentication requirements through the use of Application Access Tokens. Finally, they may enable persistent Automated Exfiltration over time. Creating or adding a new application may require the adversary to create a dedicated Cloud Account for the application and assign it Additional Cloud Roles - for example, in Microsoft 365 environments, an application can only access resources via an associated service principal.
Which tactics does T1671 belong to?
T1671 maps to the Persistence tactic.
Does TurboPentest test for Cloud Application Integration?
This weakness is not covered by the automated black-box pentest. IntegSec pentesters cover it in a manual engagement.
Related MITRE ATT&CK techniques
- Persistence, Privilege EscalationT1037: Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts
- Execution, Persistence, Privilege EscalationT1053: Scheduled Task/Job
- Initial Access, Persistence, Privilege Escalation, StealthT1078: Valid Accounts
- Persistence, Privilege EscalationT1098: Account Manipulation
- Persistence, Defense ImpairmentT1112: Modify Registry
- Initial Access, PersistenceT1133: External Remote Services
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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