CAPEC-478: Modification of Windows Service Configuration (Version
3.9)
Archived: 2026-04-05 22:57:23 UTC
Attack Pattern ID: 478
Abstraction: Detailed
 Description
An adversary exploits a weakness in access control to modify the execution parameters of a Windows service. The goal of
this attack is to execute a malicious binary in place of an existing service.
 Likelihood Of Attack
Low
 Typical Severity
High
 Relationships
This table shows the other attack patterns and high level categories that are related to this attack pattern. These
relationships are defined as ChildOf and ParentOf, and give insight to similar items that may exist at higher and lower levels
of abstraction. In addition, relationships such as CanFollow, PeerOf, and CanAlsoBe are defined to show similar attack
patterns that the user may want to explore.
Nature Type
ChildOf Standard Attack Pattern - A standard level attack pattern in CAPEC is focused on a specific methodology or technique used in an attack. It
This table shows the views that this attack pattern belongs to and top level categories within that view.
View Name Top Level Categories
Domains of Attack Software
Mechanisms of Attack Manipulate System Resources
 Execution Flow
Explore
1. Determine target system: The adversary must first determine the system they wish to modify the registry of. This
needs to be a windows machine as this attack only works on the windows registry.
Experiment
1. Gain access to the system: The adversary needs to gain access to the system in some way so that they can modify
the windows registry.
Techniques
Gain physical access to a system either through shoulder surfing a password or accessing a system that is left
unlocked.
Gain remote access to a system through a variety of means.
Exploit
1. Modify windows registry: The adversary will modify the windows registry by changing the configuration settings
for a service. Specifically, the adversary will change the path settings to define a path to a malicious binary to be
executed.
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/478.html
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Prerequisites
The adversary must have the capability to write to the Windows Registry on the targeted system.
 Resources Required
None: No specialized resources are required to execute this type of attack.
 Consequences
This table specifies different individual consequences associated with the attack pattern. The Scope identifies the security
property that is violated, while the Impact describes the negative technical impact that arises if an adversary succeeds in
their attack. The Likelihood provides information about how likely the specific consequence is expected to be seen relative
to the other consequences in the list. For example, there may be high likelihood that a pattern will be used to achieve a
certain impact, but a low likelihood that it will be exploited to achieve a different impact.
Scope Impact Likelihood
Integrity Execute Unauthorized Commands
 Mitigations
Ensure proper permissions are set for Registry hives to prevent users from modifying keys for system components that may
lead to privilege escalation.
 Taxonomy Mappings
CAPEC mappings to ATT&CK techniques leverage an inheritance model to streamline and minimize direct
CAPEC/ATT&CK mappings. Inheritance of a mapping is indicated by text stating that the parent CAPEC has relevant
ATT&CK mappings. Note that the ATT&CK Enterprise Framework does not use an inheritance model as part of the
mapping to CAPEC.
Relevant to the ATT&CK taxonomy mapping (also see parent)
Entry ID Entry Name
1574.011 Hijack Execution Flow:Service Registry Permissions Weakness
1543.003 Create or Modify System Process:Windows Service
 Content History
Submissions
Submission Date Submitter Organization
2018-04-25
(Version 2.11)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Modifications
Modification Date Modifier Organization
2019-04-04
(Version 3.1)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Related_Weaknesses
2020-07-30
(Version 3.3)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Taxonomy_Mappings
2021-10-21
(Version 3.6)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Description, Execution_Flow
More information is available — Please select a different filter.
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/478.html
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Source: https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/478.html
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/478.html
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