Which technique involves running malicious code while masquerading as a legitimate process?

The technique that involves running malicious code while masquerading as a legitimate process is best captured by the concept of code injection. Code injection refers to the method where an attacker inserts or "injects" malicious code into a program or process that then executes that code as if it originated from a legitimate source. This can occur through various means, such as exploiting vulnerabilities in software to run unauthorized commands or scripts within the context of an application.

This technique is particularly insidious as it allows the malicious code to operate within the normal execution environment of the application, making it harder for traditional security measures to detect the threat. The legitimate process may appear to function normally while harboring malicious activities, which can compromise sensitive data or the integrity of the system.

Other options like the fileless technique, living off the land, and shellcode are important cyber threats but do not specifically relate to masquerading as a legitimate process in the same context. The fileless technique typically refers to malware that runs in memory without being written to disk, living off the land involves using existing tools and processes already present in the environment to execute malicious activities, and shellcode is a type of code often used in exploits to create a backdoor or take control of a system. While these concepts are