T1424: Process Discovery
Essential information
- MITRE technique ID
T1424- Confidence
- 100/100
- Revoked
- No
- Published
- 25/10/2017 16:48
- Modified
- 27/03/2026 01:41
- Author / Source
- The MITRE Corporation
Aliases
T1424
Platforms
android iOS
Description
Adversaries may attempt to get information about running processes on a device. Information obtained could be used to gain an understanding of common software/applications running on devices within a network. Adversaries may use the information from [Process Discovery](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1424) during automated discovery to shape follow-on behaviors, including whether or not the adversary fully infects the target and/or attempts specific actions.
Recent Android security enhancements have made it more difficult to obtain a list of running processes. On Android 7 and later, there is no way for an application to obtain the process list without abusing elevated privileges. This is due to the Android kernel utilizing the `hidepid` mount feature. Prior to Android 7, applications could utilize the `ps` command or examine the `/proc` directory on the device.(Citation: Android-SELinuxChanges)
In iOS, applications have previously been able to use the `sysctl` command to obtain a list of running processes. This functionality has been removed in later iOS versions.
Kill chain phases
| Kill chain | Phase |
|---|---|
| mitre-mobile-attack | discovery |
Marking (TLP)
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