T1547.013 XDG Autostart Entries
sub-techniqueEnterpriseAdversaries may add or modify XDG Autostart Entries to execute malicious programs or commands when a user’s desktop environment is loaded at login. XDG Autostart entries are available for any XDG-compliant Linux system. XDG Autostart entries use Desktop Entry files (`.desktop`) to configure the user’s desktop environment upon user login. These configuration files determine what applications launch upon user login, define associated applications to open specific file types, and define applications used to open removable media. Adversaries may abuse this feature to establish persistence by adding a path to a malicious binary or command to the `Exec` directive in the `.desktop` configuration file. When the user’s desktop environment is loaded at user login, the `.desktop` files located in the XDG Autostart directories are automatically executed. System-wide Autostart entries are located in the `/etc/xdg/autostart` directory while the user entries are located in the `~/.config/autostart` directory. Adversaries may combine this technique with Masquerading to blend malicious Autostart entries with legitimate programs.
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tactics
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detected by (5)
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NIST CSF 2.0 — areas of relevance (Protect / Detect)
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- DE.CMContinuous Monitoringmoderate · backed by 7 of 15 mapped controls
- PR.AAIdentity Management, Authentication, and Access Controlmoderate · backed by 6 of 15 mapped controls
- PR.PSPlatform Securitymoderate · backed by 6 of 15 mapped controls
Derived from MITRE CTID (Apache-2.0) and the NIST 800-53 ↔ CSF crosswalk (public domain). Indicative relevance along the Protect/Detect axis — not a compliance assessment or coverage claim.
mitigating controls (15)
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software (6)
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