T1664 Exploitation For Initial Access

---
name: "T1664_exploitation-for-initial-access"
description: "Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities to gain initial access to a mobile device."
category: "input-validation"
version: "18.1"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - mitre-attack
  - mobile
  - t1664
  - initial-access
  - android
  - ios
technique_id: "T1664"
tactic: "initial-access"
all_tactics:
  - initial-access
platforms:
  - Android
  - iOS
mitre_url: "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1664"
tech_stack:
  - android
  - ios
cwe_ids:
  - CWE-20
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# T1664 Exploitation for Initial Access

## High-Level Description

Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities to gain initial access to a mobile device.

This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Vulnerabilities may be present in the applications, the services, the underlying operating system, or the kernel itself. Several well-known mobile device exploits exist, including FORCEDENTRY, StageFright, and BlueBorne. Furthermore, some exploits may be possible to exploit without any user interaction (i.e. zero-click exploits, see Exploitation for Client Execution), making them particularly dangerous. Mobile operating system vendors are typically very quick to patch such critical bugs, ensuring only a small window where they can be exploited.

## Kill Chain Phase

- Initial Access (TA0027)

**Platforms:** Android, iOS

## What to Check

- [ ] Identify if Exploitation for Initial Access technique is applicable to target mobile environment
- [ ] Check Android devices for indicators of Exploitation for Initial Access
- [ ] Check iOS devices for indicators of Exploitation for Initial Access
- [ ] Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (2 known mitigations)
- [ ] Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

## How to Test

### Identify Attack Surface

Determine if the target mobile environment is susceptible to Exploitation for Initial Access by examining the target platforms (Android, iOS).

### Assess Existing Defenses

Review whether mitigations for T1664 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

## Remediation Guide

### M1001 Security Updates

Security updates frequently contain patches for known software vulnerabilities.

### M1058 Antivirus/Antimalware

Mobile security products can potentially detect if a device is vulnerable to a known exploit and can alert the user to update their device.

## Detection

### Detection of Exploitation for Initial Access

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                                              | Severity | Impact         |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | -------- | -------------- |
| Exploitation for Initial Access technique applicable | High     | Initial Access |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title                     |
| ------ | ------------------------- |
| CWE-20 | Improper Input Validation |

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK Mobile - T1664](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1664)