- Tactics
- Collection
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Reference
- attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1560.001
Description
Adversaries may use utilities to compress and/or encrypt collected data prior to exfiltration. Many utilities include functionalities to compress, encrypt, or otherwise package data into a format that is easier/more secure to transport.
Adversaries may abuse various utilities to compress or encrypt data before exfiltration. Some third party utilities may be preinstalled, such as tar on Linux and macOS or zip on Windows systems.
On Windows, diantz or makecab may be used to package collected files into a cabinet (.cab) file. diantz may also be used to download and compress files from remote locations (i.e. Remote Data Staging).(Citation: diantz.exe_lolbas) xcopy on Windows can copy files and directories with a variety of options. Additionally, adversaries may use certutil to Base64 encode collected data before exfiltration.
Adversaries may use also third party utilities, such as 7-Zip, WinRAR, and WinZip, to perform similar activities.(Citation: 7zip Homepage)(Citation: WinRAR Homepage)(Citation: WinZip Homepage)
How GTK Cyber trains on this
GTK Cyber's Threat Hunting with Data Science course teaches you to build machine-learning detections for techniques like this across the MITRE ATT&CK framework, including the Collection tactic this technique falls under. Practitioner-led, focused on real detections, not memorizing technique IDs.
Related techniques
- T1005 - Data from Local System
- T1025 - Data from Removable Media
- T1039 - Data from Network Shared Drive
- T1056 - Input Capture
- T1074 - Data Staged
- T1113 - Screen Capture
- T1114 - Email Collection
- T1115 - Clipboard Data
- T1119 - Automated Collection
- T1123 - Audio Capture
- T1125 - Video Capture
- T1185 - Browser Session Hijacking