Living Off the Land

What is Living Off the Land?

Living Off the Land (LotL) is a cyberattack technique where attackers use legitimate tools and features already present on the target system to carry out malicious activities. By using built-in tools like PowerShell, WMI, and Windows Script Host, attackers can avoid detection by traditional antivirus software.

How Living Off the Land Works

Living Off the Land typically involves the following steps:

• Initial Access: The attacker gains access to the target system through phishing, exploits, or stolen credentials.
• Tool Identification: The attacker identifies legitimate tools on the system that can be used for malicious purposes.
• Execution: The attacker uses these tools to execute malicious commands or scripts.
• Persistence: The attacker establishes persistence by modifying registry keys or scheduled tasks.

Interactive Living Off the Land Example

Below is a simulation of a Living Off the Land attack. Click the button to see how an attacker uses legitimate tools to execute malicious commands.

Living Off the Land Tools and Resources

Here are some tools and resources to help you understand and defend against Living Off the Land attacks:

How to Defend Against Living Off the Land

To protect your systems from Living Off the Land attacks, follow these best practices:

• Restrict Script Execution: Limit the use of PowerShell and other scripting tools to authorized users.
• Monitor for Anomalies: Use tools like Sysmon to monitor for unusual activity.
• Enable Logging: Enable detailed logging of PowerShell and other scripting tools.
• Use Advanced Endpoint Protection: Deploy endpoint protection tools that can detect LotL techniques.