Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: LSASS Driver
- ID
- T1547.008
- Tactics
- TA0003 Persistence, TA0004 Privilege Escalation
- Sub-technique of
- T1547 Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
- Platforms
- Windows
- Data sources
- Module Load, Driver Load, File Creation, File Modification, Windows Registry Key Creation, Windows Registry Key Modification
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 25 Oct 2025
Adversaries may modify or add LSASS drivers to obtain persistence on compromised systems. The Windows security subsystem is a set of components that manage and enforce the security policy for a computer or domain. The Local Security Authority (LSA) is the main component responsible for local security policy and user authentication. The LSA includes multiple dynamic link libraries (DLLs) associated with various other security functions, all of which run in the context of the LSA Subsystem Service (LSASS) lsass.exe process.[5]
Adversaries may target LSASS drivers to obtain persistence. By either replacing or adding illegitimate drivers (e.g., Hijack Execution Flow), an adversary can use LSA operations to continuously execute malicious payloads.
Detection
- DET0225 Detect unauthorized LSASS driver persistence via LSA plugin abuse (Windows)
Data components: Module Load, Driver Load, File Creation, File Modification, Windows Registry Key Creation, Windows Registry Key Modification
Mitigations (3)
- M1025 Privileged Process Integrity
On Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2, enable LSA Protection by setting the Registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Control\\Lsa\\RunAsPPLtodword:00000001. [1] LSA Protection ensures that LSA plug-ins and drivers are only loaded if they are digitally signed with a Microsoft signature and adhere to the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) process guidance.- M1043 Credential Access Protection
On Windows 10 and Server 2016, enable Windows Defender Credential Guard [2] to run lsass.exe in an isolated virtualized environment without any device drivers. [3]
- M1044 Restrict Library Loading
Ensure safe DLL search mode is enabled
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\System\\CurrentControlSet\\Control\\Session Manager\\SafeDllSearchModeto mitigate risk that lsass.exe loads a malicious code library. [4]
Software (2)
References
- Microsoft LSA Protection Mar 2014
- Microsoft Enable Cred Guard April 2017
- Microsoft Credential Guard April 2017
- Microsoft DLL Security
- Microsoft Security Subsystem