Sub-technique of T1608 Stage Capabilities.View on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may upload tools to third-party or adversary controlled infrastructure to make it accessible during targeting. Tools can be open or closed source, free or commercial. Tools 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 upload tools to support their operations, such as making a tool available to a victim network to enable Ingress Tool Transfer by placing it on an Internet accessible web server.
Tools may be placed on infrastructure that was previously purchased/rented by the adversary (Acquire Infrastructure) or was otherwise compromised by them (Compromise Infrastructure). Tools can also be staged on web services, such as an adversary controlled GitHub repo, or on Platform-as-a-Service offerings that enable users to easily provision applications.
Adversaries can avoid the need to upload a tool by having compromised victim machines download the tool directly from a third-party hosting location (ex: a non-adversary controlled GitHub repo), including the original hosting site of the tool.
Rules on DetectionCode tagged with T1608.002.
| Rule | Type | Risk | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Unusual File Creation in Confluence Directory | Anomaly | NULL | Sysmon EventID 11 |
None recorded.
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| GroupMedusa Group | Medusa Group has utilized a file hosting service called filemail[.]com to host a zip file that contained a RMM service such as ConnectWise. |
| GroupThreat Group-3390 | Threat Group-3390 has staged tools, including gsecdump and WCE, on previously compromised websites. |
| Used by | Procedure example |
|---|---|
| Campaign2025 Poland Wiper Attacks | During the 2025 Poland Wiper Attacks, the adversaries had staged tools and files for use on Dropbox and Pastebin. |
| CampaignC0010 | For C0010, UNC3890 actors staged tools on their infrastructure to download directly onto a compromised system. |
| CampaignOperation Dream Job | For Operation Dream Job, Lazarus Group used multiple servers to host malicious tools. |
Data from MITRE ATT&CK® (Enterprise). ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation.
