Web Service: One-Way Communication
- ID
- T1102.003
- Tactics
- TA0011 Command and Control
- Sub-technique of
- T1102 Web Service
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows, ESXi
- Data sources
- Network Connection Creation, Network Traffic Content, Process Creation, Network Traffic Flow
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 4 Sep 2026
Adversaries may use an existing, legitimate external Web service as a means for sending commands to a compromised system without receiving return output over the Web service channel. Compromised systems may leverage popular websites and social media to host command and control (C2) instructions. Those infected systems may opt to send the output from those commands back over a different C2 channel, including to another distinct Web service. Alternatively, compromised systems may return no output at all in cases where adversaries want to send instructions to systems and do not want a response.
Popular websites and social media acting as a mechanism for C2 may give a significant amount of cover due to the likelihood that hosts within a network are already communicating with them prior to a compromise. Using common services, such as those offered by Google or Twitter, makes it easier for adversaries to hide in expected noise. Web service providers commonly use SSL/TLS encryption, giving adversaries an added level of protection.
Detection
- DET0581 Detect One-Way Web Service Command Channels
Data components: Network Connection Creation, Network Traffic Content, Process Creation, Network Traffic Flow
Mitigations (2)
- M1021 Restrict Web-Based Content
Web proxies can be used to enforce external network communication policy that prevents use of unauthorized external services.
- M1031 Network Intrusion Prevention
Network intrusion detection and prevention systems that use network signatures to identify traffic for specific adversary malware can be used to mitigate activity at the network level.