Modify Parameter
Description
Adversaries may modify parameters used to instruct industrial control system devices. These devices operate via programs that dictate how and when to perform actions based on such parameters. Such parameters can determine the extent to which an action is performed and may specify additional options. For example, a program on a control system device dictating motor processes may take a parameter defining the total number of seconds to run that motor. An adversary can potentially modify these parameters to produce an outcome outside of what was intended by the operators. By modifying system and process critical parameters, the adversary may cause [Impact](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0105) to equipment and/or control processes. Modified parameters may be turned into dangerous, out-of-bounds, or unexpected values from typical operations. For example, specifying that a process run for more or less time than it should, or dictating an unusually high, low, or invalid value as a parameter.
Mapped SPARTA techniques
12 techniques
T0836 'Modify Parameter' is the ATT&CK ICS technique for adversary modification of control system parameters to manipulate process behavior; SPARTA EX-0012 'Modify On-Board Values' is the parent-level spacecraft equivalent (registers, routing tables, parameters, payload data). Cross-tactic moderate (T0836 in impair-process-control vs SPARTA EX-0012 execution); exact concept match.
Modifying CPU/peripheral registers manipulates parameter values in control systems; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers register modification at cross-tactic moderate level (impair-process-control vs execution).
Internal routing tables (CCSDS APID routing, bus address translation) are operational parameters; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers their manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
Direct memory writes alter parameter values that programs use to dictate behavior; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers parameter modification at cross-tactic moderate level.
App/subscriber tables (cFS publisher-subscriber routing, message bus subscription lists) are parameter-shaped configuration; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers their manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
Science/payload data products and their generation parameters are configuration values; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers their manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
Propulsion subsystem parameters (delta-V budgets, valve duty cycles, burn timing tables) are control parameters; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers manipulation of propulsion-control parameters at cross-tactic moderate level.
ADCS parameters (control-loop gains, deadbands, mode-transition tables, sensor-fusion weights) are control parameters; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers their manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
EPS parameters (load-shed thresholds, battery-protect setpoints) are control parameters; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers their manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
C&DH parameters (command dispatch tables, telemetry packetisation rules) are control parameters; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers their manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
Watchdog Timer parameters (timeout values, reset-action rules) are operational parameters of the watchdog defensive subsystem; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers their manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
System clock is a runtime parameter that all timestamp-bearing operations inherit; T0836 'Modify Parameter' covers clock manipulation at cross-tactic moderate level.
Cite as SafeMode Space, mitre-attack-ics T0836.