AML.TA0014 · ATLAS tactic
The adversary is trying to communicate with compromised AI systems to control them.
Command and Control consists of techniques that adversaries may use to communicate with systems under their control within a victim network. Adversaries commonly attempt to mimic normal, expected traffic to avoid detection. There are many ways an adversary can establish command and control with various levels of stealth depending on the victim's network structure and defenses.
3 mapped techniques · ATLAS 2026.05
Adversaries may utilize a reverse shell to communicate and control the victim system. Typically, a user uses a client to connect to a remote machine which is listening for connections. With a reverse shell, the adversary is listening for incoming connections initiated from the victim system.
Adversaries may communicate using the API of an AI service on the victim's system. The adversary's commands to the victim system, and often the results, are embedded in the normal traffic of the AI service. An AI service API command and control channel is covert because the adversary's commands blend in with normal com
Adversaries may abuse AI agents present on the victim's system for command and control. AI agents are often granted access to tools that can execute shell commands, reach out to the internet, and interact with other services in the victim's environment, making them capable C2 agents. The adversary may modify the behavi