MITRE ATT&CK Technique
T1601Modify System Image
- First Reported
- Oct 14, 2026
- Latest Reported
- Oct 14, 2026
Official Description
Adversaries may make changes to the operating system of embedded network devices to weaken defenses and provide new capabilities for themselves. On such devices, the operating systems are typically monolithic and most of the device functionality and capabilities are contained within a single file.
To change the operating system, the adversary typically only needs to affect this one file, replacing or modifying it. This can either be done live in memory during system runtime for immediate effect, or in storage to implement the change on the next boot of the network device.
To change the operating system, the adversary typically only needs to affect this one file, replacing or modifying it. This can either be done live in memory during system runtime for immediate effect, or in storage to implement the change on the next boot of the network device.
- Tactics
- Defense Impairment
- Platforms
- Network Devices
- MITRE Version
- 2.0
- Last Modified
- May 12, 2026
Sub-techniques (2)
Reported Context (1)
- Explicitly referenced for hunting unauthorized network-appliance firmware, operating-system and configuration changes; not evidence of a confirmed SAARC intrusion. CYFIRMA Report Maps Cyber Threats Facing India and SAARC Telecom Sector
CVE (15)
Malware (3)
Threat Actors (33)
MITRE ATT&CK (12)
Vendors (15)
Products (13)
Tools (1)
Industries (14)
Countries (10)
Note: Related entities, including threat actors, malware, CVEs, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, vendors, products, tools, countries, and industries, are shown when they appear in the same reporting. Their presence does not necessarily mean they were targeted, compromised, vulnerable, responsible for the activity, or directly involved in the incident.