type: attack-pattern
spec_version: 2.1
id: attack-pattern--28170e17-8384-415c-8486-2e6b294cb803
created: 2021-06-23T20:00:27.600Z
created_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
revoked: no
external_references: source_name: mitre-attack
url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1562/009
external_id: T1562.009
source_name: BleepingComputer REvil 2021
description: Abrams, L. (2021, March 19). REvil ransomware has a new ‘Windows Safe Mode’ encryption mode. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
url: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/revil-ransomware-has-a-new-windows-safe-mode-encryption-mode/
source_name: Cybereason Nocturnus MedusaLocker 2020
description: Cybereason Nocturnus. (2020, November 19). Cybereason vs. MedusaLocker Ransomware. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
url: https://www.cybereason.com/blog/medusalocker-ransomware
source_name: Microsoft Bootcfg
description: Gerend, J. et al. (2017, October 16). bootcfg. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
url: https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/bootcfg
source_name: Microsoft bcdedit 2021
description: Microsoft. (2021, May 27). bcdedit. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
url: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/bcdedit
source_name: Microsoft Safe Mode
description: Microsoft. (n.d.). Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
url: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-10-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234
source_name: CyberArk Labs Safe Mode 2016
description: Naim, D.. (2016, September 15). CyberArk Labs: From Safe Mode to Domain Compromise. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
url: https://www.cyberark.com/resources/blog/cyberark-labs-from-safe-mode-to-domain-compromise
source_name: Sophos Snatch Ransomware 2019
description: Sophos. (2019, December 9). Snatch ransomware reboots PCs into Safe Mode to bypass protection. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
url: https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2019/12/09/snatch-ransomware-reboots-pcs-into-safe-mode-to-bypass-protection/
object_marking_refs: marking-definition--fa42a846-8d90-4e51-bc29-71d5b4802168
modified: 2025-10-24T17:48:33.044Z
name: Safe Mode Boot
description: Adversaries may abuse Windows safe mode to disable endpoint defenses. Safe mode starts up the Windows operating system with a limited set of drivers and services. Third-party security software such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools may not start after booting Windows in safe mode. There are two versions of safe mode: Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking. It is possible to start additional services after a safe mode boot.(Citation: Microsoft Safe Mode)(Citation: Sophos Snatch Ransomware 2019)

Adversaries may abuse safe mode to disable endpoint defenses that may not start with a limited boot. Hosts can be forced into safe mode after the next reboot via modifications to Boot Configuration Data (BCD) stores, which are files that manage boot application settings.(Citation: Microsoft bcdedit 2021)

Adversaries may also add their malicious applications to the list of minimal services that start in safe mode by modifying relevant Registry values (i.e. [Modify Registry](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1112)). Malicious [Component Object Model](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1559/001) (COM) objects may also be registered and loaded in safe mode.(Citation: Sophos Snatch Ransomware 2019)(Citation: CyberArk Labs Safe Mode 2016)(Citation: Cybereason Nocturnus MedusaLocker 2020)(Citation: BleepingComputer REvil 2021)
kill_chain_phases: kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: defense-evasion
x_mitre_attack_spec_version: 3.2.0
x_mitre_contributors: Jorell Magtibay, National Australia Bank Limited
Kiyohito Yamamoto, RedLark, NTT Communications
Yusuke Kubo, RedLark, NTT Communications
x_mitre_deprecated: no
x_mitre_domains: enterprise-attack
x_mitre_is_subtechnique: yes
x_mitre_modified_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
x_mitre_platforms: Windows
x_mitre_version: 1.1