Adversaries may leverage [Valid Accounts](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078) to log directly into accessible cloud hosted compute infrastructure through cloud native methods. Many cloud providers offer interactive connections to virtual infrastructure that can be accessed through the [Cloud API](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/009), such as Azure Serial Console(Citation: Azure Serial Console), AWS EC2 Instance Connect(Citation: EC2 Instance Connect)(Citation: lucr-3: Getting SaaS-y in the cloud), and AWS System Manager.(Citation: AWS System Manager).

Methods of authentication for these connections can include passwords, application access tokens, or SSH keys. These cloud native methods may, by default, allow for privileged access on the host with SYSTEM or root level access. 

Adversaries may utilize these cloud native methods to directly access virtual infrastructure and pivot through an environment.(Citation: SIM Swapping and Abuse of the Microsoft Azure Serial Console) These connections typically provide direct console access to the VM rather than the execution of scripts (i.e., [Cloud Administration Command](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1651)).
Direct Cloud VM Connections
source_name: mitre-attack  url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/008  external_id: T1021.008     source_name: EC2 Instance Connect  description: AWS. (2023, June 2). Connect using EC2 Instance Connect. Retrieved June 2, 2023.  url: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/ec2-instance-connect-methods.html     source_name: AWS System Manager  description: AWS. (2023, June 2). What is AWS System Manager?. Retrieved June 2, 2023.  url: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/what-is-systems-manager.html     source_name: lucr-3: Getting SaaS-y in the cloud  description: Ian Ahl. (2023, September 20). LUCR-3: Scattered Spider Getting SaaS-y In The Cloud. Retrieved September 20, 2023.  url: https://permiso.io/blog/lucr-3-scattered-spider-getting-saas-y-in-the-cloud     source_name: SIM Swapping and Abuse of the Microsoft Azure Serial Console  description: Mandiant Intelligence. (2023, May 16). SIM Swapping and Abuse of the Microsoft Azure Serial Console: Serial Is Part of a Well Balanced Attack. Retrieved June 2, 2023.  url: https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/sim-swapping-abuse-azure-serial     source_name: Azure Serial Console  description: Microsoft. (2022, October 17). Azure Serial Console. Retrieved June 2, 2023.  url: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/serial-console-overview     