type: attack-pattern
spec_version: 2.1
id: attack-pattern--70e52b04-2a0c-4cea-9d18-7149f1df9dc5
created: 2020-01-24T14:32:40.315Z
created_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
revoked: no
external_references: source_name: mitre-attack
url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1546/008
external_id: T1546.008
source_name: Narrator Accessibility Abuse
description: Comi, G. (2019, October 19). Abusing Windows 10 Narrator's 'Feedback-Hub' URI for Fileless Persistence. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
url: https://giuliocomi.blogspot.com/2019/10/abusing-windows-10-narrators-feedback.html
source_name: FireEye Hikit Rootkit
description: Glyer, C., Kazanciyan, R. (2012, August 20). The “Hikit” Rootkit: Advanced and Persistent Attack Techniques (Part 1). Retrieved November 17, 2024.
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20190216180458/https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2012/08/hikit-rootkit-advanced-persistent-attack-techniques-part-1.html
source_name: DEFCON2016 Sticky Keys
description: Maldonado, D., McGuffin, T. (2016, August 6). Sticky Keys to the Kingdom. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
url: https://www.slideshare.net/DennisMaldonado5/sticky-keys-to-the-kingdom
source_name: Tilbury 2014
description: Tilbury, C. (2014, August 28). Registry Analysis with CrowdResponse. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20200730053039/https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/registry-analysis-with-crowdresponse/
object_marking_refs: marking-definition--fa42a846-8d90-4e51-bc29-71d5b4802168
modified: 2025-10-24T17:48:56.964Z
name: Accessibility Features
description: Adversaries may establish persistence and/or elevate privileges by executing malicious content triggered by accessibility features. Windows contains accessibility features that may be launched with a key combination before a user has logged in (ex: when the user is on the Windows logon screen). An adversary can modify the way these programs are launched to get a command prompt or backdoor without logging in to the system.

Two common accessibility programs are C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe, launched when the shift key is pressed five times and C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe, launched when the Windows + U key combination is pressed. The sethc.exe program is often referred to as "sticky keys", and has been used by adversaries for unauthenticated access through a remote desktop login screen. (Citation: FireEye Hikit Rootkit)

Depending on the version of Windows, an adversary may take advantage of these features in different ways. Common methods used by adversaries include replacing accessibility feature binaries or pointers/references to these binaries in the Registry. In newer versions of Windows, the replaced binary needs to be digitally signed for x64 systems, the binary must reside in %systemdir%\, and it must be protected by Windows File or Resource Protection (WFP/WRP). (Citation: DEFCON2016 Sticky Keys) The [Image File Execution Options Injection](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1546/012) debugger method was likely discovered as a potential workaround because it does not require the corresponding accessibility feature binary to be replaced.

For simple binary replacement on Windows XP and later as well as and Windows Server 2003/R2 and later, for example, the program (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe) may be replaced with "cmd.exe" (or another program that provides backdoor access). Subsequently, pressing the appropriate key combination at the login screen while sitting at the keyboard or when connected over [Remote Desktop Protocol](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/001) will cause the replaced file to be executed with SYSTEM privileges. (Citation: Tilbury 2014)

Other accessibility features exist that may also be leveraged in a similar fashion: (Citation: DEFCON2016 Sticky Keys)(Citation: Narrator Accessibility Abuse)

* On-Screen Keyboard: C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe
* Magnifier: C:\Windows\System32\Magnify.exe
* Narrator: C:\Windows\System32\Narrator.exe
* Display Switcher: C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe
* App Switcher: C:\Windows\System32\AtBroker.exe
kill_chain_phases: kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: privilege-escalation
kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: persistence
x_mitre_attack_spec_version: 3.2.0
x_mitre_contributors: Paul Speulstra, AECOM Global Security Operations Center
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: 1.2