Adversaries may buy, steal, or download software tools that can be used during targeting. Tools can be open or closed source, free or commercial. A tool can be used for malicious purposes by an adversary, but (unlike malware) were not intended to be used for those purposes (ex: PsExec). Adversaries may obtain tools to support their operations, including to support execution of post-compromise behaviors. Tools may also be leveraged for testing – for example, evaluating malware against commercial antivirus or endpoint detection and response (EDR) applications.12 Tool acquisition may involve the procurement of commercial software licenses, including for red teaming tools such as Cobalt Strike. In addition to freely downloading or purchasing software, adversaries may steal software and/or software licenses from third-party entities (including other adversaries). Threat actors may also crack trial versions of software.3
- Forescout Conti Leaks 2022
- Sentinel Labs Top Tier Target 2025
- Recorded Future Beacon 2019
Groups using this technique
| Group | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| grp_g0076 | Thrip | — |
| grp_g0011 | PittyTiger | — |
| grp_g0003 | Cleaver | Iran |
| grp_g0107 | Whitefly | — |
| grp_g1007 | Aoqin Dragon | China |
| grp_g0105 | DarkVishnya | — |
| grp_g0100 | Inception | — |
| grp_g1009 | Moses Staff | Iran |
| grp_g0051 | FIN10 | — |
| grp_g1018 | TA2541 | — |
| grp_g1005 | POLONIUM | — |
| grp_g0053 | FIN5 | — |
| grp_g1013 | Metador | — |
| grp_g0122 | Silent Librarian | — |
| grp_g0137 | Ferocious Kitten | — |
| grp_g0090 | WIRTE | — |
| grp_g1014 | LuminousMoth | China |
| grp_g1054 | MirrorFace | — |
| grp_g0108 | Blue Mockingbird | — |
| grp_g0143 | Aquatic Panda | China |
| grp_g0129 | Mustang Panda | China |
| grp_g1041 | Sea Turtle | — |
| grp_g0032 | Lazarus Group | DPRK |
| grp_g0078 | Gorgon Group | — |
| grp_g1045 | Salt Typhoon | — |
| grp_g0052 | CopyKittens | Iran |
| grp_g1001 | HEXANE | — |
| grp_g0064 | APT33 | Iran |
| grp_g1021 | Cinnamon Tempest | China |
| grp_g0135 | BackdoorDiplomacy | — |
| grp_g0093 | GALLIUM | — |
| grp_g0004 | Ke3chang | — |
| grp_g0037 | FIN6 | — |
| grp_g0077 | Leafminer | Iran |
| grp_g1051 | Medusa Group | — |
| grp_g0080 | Cobalt Group | — |
| grp_g1057 | ShinyHunters | — |
| grp_g1015 | Scattered Spider | — |
| grp_g0114 | Chimera | China |
| grp_g0008 | Carbanak | — |
| grp_g0035 | Dragonfly | Russia |
| grp_g0102 | Wizard Spider | Russia |
| grp_g1044 | APT42 | Iran |
| grp_g1040 | Play | — |
| grp_g0049 | OilRig | Iran |
| grp_g0006 | APT1 | China |
| grp_g1004 | LAPSUS$ | — |
| grp_g1052 | Contagious Interview | — |
| grp_g0069 | MuddyWater | — |
| grp_g1055 | VOID MANTICORE | — |
| grp_g1058 | The Gentlemen | — |
| grp_g0079 | DarkHydrus | — |
| grp_g0061 | FIN8 | — |
| grp_g0073 | APT19 | China |
| grp_g1033 | Star Blizzard | — |
| grp_g1017 | Volt Typhoon | — |
| grp_g0082 | APT38 | DPRK |
| grp_g0091 | Silence | — |
| grp_g1059 | NIMBUS MANTICORE | — |
| grp_g1046 | Storm-1811 | — |
| grp_g0046 | FIN7 | — |
| grp_g1032 | INC Ransom | — |
| grp_g0087 | APT39 | — |
| grp_g0010 | Turla | Russia |
| grp_g0099 | APT-C-36 | — |
| grp_g0047 | Gamaredon Group | Russia |
| grp_g0136 | IndigoZebra | China |
| grp_g0092 | TA505 | — |
| grp_g0030 | Lotus Blossom | — |
| grp_g0094 | Kimsuky | DPRK |
| grp_g0059 | Magic Hound | Iran |
| grp_g1016 | FIN13 | — |
| grp_g0060 | BRONZE BUTLER | — |
| grp_g0098 | BlackTech | China |
| grp_g0096 | APT41 | China |
| grp_g0045 | menuPass | — |
| grp_g1006 | Earth Lusca | China |
| grp_g0007 | APT28 | Russia |
| grp_g0016 | APT29 | Russia |
| grp_g0040 | Patchwork | — |
| grp_g0027 | Threat Group-3390 | China |
| grp_g0034 | Sandworm Team | Russia |
| grp_g0050 | APT32 | Vietnam |
| grp_g1002 | BITTER | Pakistan |
Claims
No public claim points at this technique yet.
Auto-ingested and not human-reviewed; confidence and validity read by citation.