RFID badge clone → after-hours access
Brush-pass a target employee with a long-range RFID reader, capture their HID/iCLASS card data, clone to a blank — return after hours to badge into restricted floors.
§ Context
Assumed environment: target uses HID 125 kHz Prox or iCLASS legacy cards (no DESFire / SEOS). Physical access to a public-facing area (lobby, coffee shop, conference) where employees congregate.
§ Steps
- 01After-hours entry to target areaInitial AccessT1078— Valid Accounts
- 02Drop in-room implant (rogue AP / cellular)Credential AccessN-DHCP-ROGUE— Rogue DHCP Server
- 03Identify card type + reader locationInitial AccessSE-PRETEXT— Pretexting
- 04Confirm clone at a non-monitored doorInitial AccessSE-TAILGATE— Tailgating / Piggybacking
- 05Write captured data to blankInitial AccessSE-RFID-CLONE— RFID / Badge Cloning
- 06Long-range read at brush-pass distanceInitial AccessSE-RFID-CLONE— RFID / Badge Cloning
§ References
- T1078Valid Accounts
§ Frequently asked
- What is the "RFID badge clone → after-hours access" attack path?
- Brush-pass a target employee with a long-range RFID reader, capture their HID/iCLASS card data, clone to a blank — return after hours to badge into restricted floors. It chains 6 steps drawn from real-world offensive-security techniques.
- What starting position does this attack require?
- The first step is After-hours entry to target area (T1078) — a initial access primitive. Assumed environment: target uses HID 125 kHz Prox or iCLASS legacy cards (no DESFire / SEOS).
- What is the final impact of this kill-chain?
- The final step lands on Long-range read at brush-pass distance (SE-RFID-CLONE), which falls under Initial Access. From here, an operator typically pivots into post-exploitation or maintains persistence.
- How can defenders detect or prevent this attack?
- Detection and prevention vary per step. Refer to each linked MITRE ATT&CK entry under "References" — every technique on that page lists defensive controls, detection telemetry, and known threat-actor usage.
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