type: attack-pattern
spec_version: 2.1
id: attack-pattern--45241b9e-9bbc-4826-a2cc-78855e51ca09
created: 2023-06-02T15:27:55.412Z
created_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
revoked: no
external_references: source_name: mitre-attack
url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/008
external_id: T1021.008
source_name: EC2 Instance Connect
description: AWS. (2023, June 2). Connect using EC2 Instance Connect. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
url: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/ec2-instance-connect-methods.html
source_name: AWS System Manager
description: AWS. (2023, June 2). What is AWS System Manager?. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
url: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/what-is-systems-manager.html
source_name: lucr-3: Getting SaaS-y in the cloud
description: Ian Ahl. (2023, September 20). LUCR-3: Scattered Spider Getting SaaS-y In The Cloud. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
url: https://permiso.io/blog/lucr-3-scattered-spider-getting-saas-y-in-the-cloud
source_name: SIM Swapping and Abuse of the Microsoft Azure Serial Console
description: Mandiant Intelligence. (2023, May 16). SIM Swapping and Abuse of the Microsoft Azure Serial Console: Serial Is Part of a Well Balanced Attack. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
url: https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/sim-swapping-abuse-azure-serial
source_name: Azure Serial Console
description: Microsoft. (2022, October 17). Azure Serial Console. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/serial-console-overview
object_marking_refs: marking-definition--fa42a846-8d90-4e51-bc29-71d5b4802168
modified: 2025-04-15T22:18:53.305Z
name: Direct Cloud VM Connections
description: Adversaries may leverage [Valid Accounts](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078) to log directly into accessible cloud hosted compute infrastructure through cloud native methods. Many cloud providers offer interactive connections to virtual infrastructure that can be accessed through the [Cloud API](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/009), such as Azure Serial Console(Citation: Azure Serial Console), AWS EC2 Instance Connect(Citation: EC2 Instance Connect)(Citation: lucr-3: Getting SaaS-y in the cloud), and AWS System Manager.(Citation: AWS System Manager).

Methods of authentication for these connections can include passwords, application access tokens, or SSH keys. These cloud native methods may, by default, allow for privileged access on the host with SYSTEM or root level access. 

Adversaries may utilize these cloud native methods to directly access virtual infrastructure and pivot through an environment.(Citation: SIM Swapping and Abuse of the Microsoft Azure Serial Console) These connections typically provide direct console access to the VM rather than the execution of scripts (i.e., [Cloud Administration Command](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1651)).
kill_chain_phases: kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: lateral-movement
x_mitre_attack_spec_version: 3.2.0
x_mitre_contributors: Thanabodi Phrakhun, @naikordian
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: IaaS
x_mitre_version: 1.0