MITRE ATT&CK Technique
T1104Multi-Stage Channels
- First Reported
- Aug 4, 2026
- Latest Reported
- Aug 4, 2026
Official Description
Adversaries may create multiple stages for command and control that are employed under different conditions or for certain functions. Use of multiple stages may obfuscate the command and control channel to make detection more difficult.
Remote access tools will call back to the first-stage command and control server for instructions. The first stage may have automated capabilities to collect basic host information, update tools, and upload additional files. A second remote access tool (RAT) could be uploaded at that point to redirect the host to the second-stage command and control server. The second stage will likely be more fully featured and allow the adversary to interact with the system through a reverse shell and additional RAT features.
The different stages will likely be hosted separately with no overlapping infrastructure. The loader may also have backup first-stage callbacks or [Fallback Channels](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1008) in case the original first-stage communication path is discovered and blocked.
Remote access tools will call back to the first-stage command and control server for instructions. The first stage may have automated capabilities to collect basic host information, update tools, and upload additional files. A second remote access tool (RAT) could be uploaded at that point to redirect the host to the second-stage command and control server. The second stage will likely be more fully featured and allow the adversary to interact with the system through a reverse shell and additional RAT features.
The different stages will likely be hosted separately with no overlapping infrastructure. The loader may also have backup first-stage callbacks or [Fallback Channels](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1008) in case the original first-stage communication path is discovered and blocked.
- Tactics
- Command And Control
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows, ESXi
- MITRE Version
- 1.1
- Last Modified
- Oct 24, 2025
Reported Context (1)
- Web-based registration returns cluster addresses for subsequent socket-based FDMTP communications. QuickFox Supply-Chain Attack Deployed FDMTP Implant on Windows Systems
Malware (1)
People (1)
Threat Actors (1)
MITRE ATT&CK (18)
Vendors (3)
Products (12)
Tools (1)
Countries (1)
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.