Adversaries may embed payloads within other files to conceal malicious content from defenses. Otherwise seemingly benign files (such as scripts and executables) may be abused to carry and obfuscate malicious payloads and content. In some cases, embedded payloads may also enable adversaries to [Subvert Trust Controls](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1553) by not impacting execution controls such as digital signatures and notarization tickets.(Citation: Sentinel Labs) 

Adversaries may embed payloads in various file formats to hide payloads.(Citation: Microsoft Learn) This is similar to [Steganography](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027/003), though does not involve weaving malicious content into specific bytes and patterns related to legitimate digital media formats.(Citation: GitHub PSImage) 

For example, adversaries have been observed embedding payloads within or as an overlay of an otherwise benign binary.(Citation: Securelist Dtrack2) Adversaries have also been observed nesting payloads (such as executables and run-only scripts) inside a file of the same format.(Citation: SentinelLabs reversing run-only applescripts 2021) 

Embedded content may also be used as [Process Injection](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1055) payloads used to infect benign system processes.(Citation: Trend Micro) These embedded then injected payloads may be used as part of the modules of malware designed to provide specific features such as encrypting C2 communications in support of an orchestrator module. For example, an embedded module may be injected into default browsers, allowing adversaries to then communicate via the network.(Citation: Malware Analysis Report ComRAT)
Embedded Payloads
source_name: mitre-attack  url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027/009  external_id: T1027.009     source_name: GitHub PSImage  description: Barrett Adams . (n.d.). Invoke-PSImage . Retrieved September 30, 2022.  url: https://github.com/peewpw/Invoke-PSImage     source_name: Malware Analysis Report ComRAT  description: CISA. (2020, October 29). Malware Analysis Report (AR20-303A) MAR-10310246-2.v1 – PowerShell Script: ComRAT. Retrieved September 30, 2022.  url: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/analysis-reports/ar20-303a     source_name: Trend Micro  description: Karen Victor. (2020, May 18). Reflective Loading Runs Netwalker Fileless Ransomware. Retrieved September 30, 2022.  url: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/20/e/netwalker-fileless-ransomware-injected-via-reflective-loading.html     source_name: Securelist Dtrack2  description: KONSTANTIN ZYKOV. (2019, September 23). Hello! My name is Dtrack. Retrieved September 30, 2022.  url: https://securelist.com/my-name-is-dtrack/93338/     source_name: Microsoft Learn  description: Microsoft. (2021, April 6). 2.5 ExtraData. Retrieved September 30, 2022.  url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/windows_protocols/ms-shllink/c41e062d-f764-4f13-bd4f-ea812ab9a4d1     source_name: SentinelLabs reversing run-only applescripts 2021  description: Phil Stokes. (2021, January 11). FADE DEAD | Adventures in Reversing Malicious Run-Only AppleScripts. Retrieved September 29, 2022.  url: https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/fade-dead-adventures-in-reversing-malicious-run-only-applescripts/     source_name: Sentinel Labs  description: Phil Stokes. (2021, January 11). FADE DEAD | Adventures in Reversing Malicious Run-Only AppleScripts. Retrieved September 30, 2022.  url: https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/fade-dead-adventures-in-reversing-malicious-run-only-applescripts/     