CAPEC-520: Counterfeit Hardware Component Inserted During Product Assembly
Description
An adversary with either direct access to the product assembly process or to the supply of subcomponents used in the product assembly process introduces counterfeit hardware components into product assembly. The assembly containing the counterfeit components results in a system specifically designed for malicious purposes.
- Likelihood of attack
- Low
- Typical severity
- High
- Abstraction
- DetailedA low-level, detailed pattern, often for a particular technology.
Mechanism of attack: Manipulate System Resources
Prerequisites
- The adversary will need either physical access or be able to supply malicious hardware components to the product development facility.
Skills required
- HighResources to maliciously construct components used by the manufacturer.
- HighResources to physically infiltrate manufacturer or manufacturer's supplier.
Mitigations
- Hardware attacks are often difficult to detect, as inserted components can be difficult to identify or remain dormant for an extended period of time.
- Acquire hardware and hardware components from trusted vendors. Additionally, determine where vendors purchase components or if any components are created/acquired via subcontractors to determine where supply chain risks may exist.
Related weaknesses (CWE)
CAPEC 3.9 links no CWE weakness to this pattern.
ATT&CK techniques (CAPEC taxonomy mapping)
Across MITRE's defensive frameworks
Linked through the 1 ATT&CK technique above.
Counter with D3FEND
Defensive techniques MITRE D3FEND maps to the same ATT&CK techniques.