CAPEC-551: Modify Existing Service (Version 3.9)
Archived: 2026-04-06 01:10:23 UTC
Attack Pattern ID: 551
Abstraction: Detailed
 Description
When an operating system starts, it also starts programs called services or daemons. Modifying existing services may break
existing services or may enable services that are disabled/not commonly used.
 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
 Mitigations
Limit privileges of user accounts so service changes can only be performed by authorized administrators. Also monitor any
service changes that may occur inadvertently.
 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
1543 Create or Modify System Process
 Content History
Submissions
Submission Date Submitter Organization
2015-11-09
(Version 2.7)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Modifications
Modification Date Modifier Organization
2019-04-04 CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/551.html
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(Version 3.1) Updated Related_Weaknesses
2020-07-30
(Version 3.3)
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation
Updated Taxonomy_Mappings
2021-06-24
(Version 3.5)
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/551.html
https://capec.mitre.org/data/definitions/551.html
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