CAPEC-558: Replace Trusted Executable (Version 3.9)
Archived: 2026-04-06 00:12:53 UTC
Attack Pattern ID: 558
Abstraction: Detailed
 Description
An adversary exploits weaknesses in privilege management or access control to replace a trusted executable with a
malicious version and enable the execution of malware when that trusted executable is called.
 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 Inject Unexpected Items
 Example Instances
Specific versions of Windows contain accessibility features that may be launched with a key combination before a user has
logged in (for example when they are on the Windows Logon screen). On Windows XP and Windows Server 2003/R2, the
program (e.g. "C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe") may be replaced with cmd.exe (or another program that provides
backdoor access). Then pressing the appropriate key combination at the login screen while sitting at the keyboard or when
connected over RDP will cause the replaced file to be executed with SYSTEM privileges.
 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
1505.005 Server Software Component: Terminal Services DLL
1546.008 Event Triggered Execution: Accessibility Features
 Content History
Submissions
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/558.html
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Submission Date Submitter Organization
2015-11-09
(Version 2.7)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Modifications
Modification Date Modifier Organization
2018-07-31
(Version 2.12)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Description Summary, References, Typical_Likelihood_of_Exploit, Typical_Severity
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
2022-09-29
(Version 3.8)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Taxonomy_Mappings
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Source: https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/558.html
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/558.html
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