EDR Evasion: Tactics From the Field
As endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools grow stronger, attackers are finding smarter ways to outmaneuver them. A recent report reveals that adversaries are modifying the Sliver framework — a legitimate, open-source command-and-control tool used by red teams — to create custom payloads that slip past modern EDR defenses.
By tweaking Sliver’s default binaries, removing signatures, and dynamically loading payloads in memory, threat actors are achieving high levels of stealth. These changes allow malicious code to execute without triggering behavioral detections, highlighting how attackers continuously evolve to stay undetected within legitimate administrative tools.
Researchers observed that attackers increasingly favor modular, customizable frameworks like Sliver over older options such as Cobalt Strike. This shift isn’t about novelty but about flexibility. With Sliver’s open-source nature, adversaries can alter the codebase, disguise indicators of compromise (IOCs), and blend their operations within normal network activity. The result: highly adaptive campaigns that challenge traditional endpoint visibility.
These tactics underscore a broader trend: EDR evasion as a professionalized discipline. Threat groups now invest in customizing tooling, testing payloads against security products, and adopting advanced anti-forensics techniques like memory injection and encrypted communication channels. The line between red-team innovation and real-world exploitation continues to blur.
For defenders, the takeaway is clear: detection cannot rely solely on signatures or static analysis. Continuous testing, behavioral analytics, and purple team exercises are essential to reveal hidden attack paths before adversaries exploit them. Organizations must treat every legitimate framework as a potential risk vector if not properly monitored, even those used by security teams.
Mandvi. 2025. “Customized Sliver Framework Boosts Evasion and Defeats EDR Systems.” Cyber Press. April 1.
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