Sub-technique of T1583 Acquire Infrastructure.View on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may rent Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) that can be used during targeting. There exist a variety of cloud service providers that will sell virtual machines/containers as a service. By utilizing a VPS, adversaries can make it difficult to physically tie back operations to them. The use of cloud infrastructure can also make it easier for adversaries to rapidly provision, modify, and shut down their infrastructure.
Acquiring a VPS for use in later stages of the adversary lifecycle, such as Command and Control, can allow adversaries to benefit from the ubiquity and trust associated with higher reputation cloud service providers. Adversaries may also acquire infrastructure from VPS service providers that are known for renting VPSs with minimal registration information, allowing for more anonymous acquisitions of infrastructure.
Rules on DetectionCode tagged with T1583.003.
None recorded.
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| GroupAPT-C-36 | APT-C-36 has incorporated virtual private servers (VPS) into its operational infrastructure. |
| GroupAPT28 | APT28 hosted phishing domains on free services for brief periods of time during campaigns. |
| GroupAPT42 | APT42 has used anonymized infrastructure and Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) to interact with the victim’s environment. |
| GroupAxiom | Axiom has used VPS hosting providers in targeting of intended victims. |
| GroupBlackByte | BlackByte staged encryption keys on virtual private servers operated by the adversary. |
| GroupContagious Interview | Contagious Interview has acquired virtual private servers from services such as Stark Industries Solutions and RouterHosting. Contagious Interview has also utilized hosting providers to include Tier[.]Net, Majestic Hosting, Leaseweb Singapore, and Kaopu Cloud. |
| GroupCURIUM | CURIUM created virtual private server instances to facilitate use of malicious domains and other items. |
| GroupDragonfly | Dragonfly has acquired VPS infrastructure for use in malicious campaigns. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| CampaignArcaneDoor | ArcaneDoor included the use of dedicated, adversary-controlled virtual private servers for command and control. |
| CampaignC0032 | During the C0032 campaign, TEMP.Veles used Virtual Private Server (VPS) infrastructure. |
| CampaignFLORAHOX Activity | FLORAHOX Activity has used acquired Virtual Private Servers as control systems for the ORB network. |
| CampaignJ-magic Campaign | During the J-magic Campaign, threat actors acquired VPS for use in C2. |
| CampaignKV Botnet Activity | KV Botnet Activity used acquired Virtual Private Servers as control systems for devices infected with KV Botnet malware. |
| CampaignSPACEHOP Activity | SPACEHOP Activity has used acquired Virtual Private Servers as control systems for devices within the ORB network. |
Data from MITRE ATT&CK® (Enterprise). ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation.
