Compromise Infrastructure: Botnet, Sub-technique T1584.005 - Enterprise | MITRE ATT&CK®
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Compromise Infrastructure: Botnet

ID Name
T1584.001 Domains
T1584.002 DNS Server
T1584.003 Virtual Private Server
T1584.004 Server
T1584.005 Botnet
T1584.006 Web Services
T1584.007 Serverless

Adversaries may compromise numerous third-party systems to form a botnet that can be used during targeting. A botnet is a network of compromised systems that can be instructed to perform coordinated tasks.[1] Instead of purchasing/renting a botnet from a booter/stresser service, adversaries may build their own botnet by compromising numerous third-party systems.[2] Adversaries may also conduct a takeover of an existing botnet, such as redirecting bots to adversary-controlled C2 servers.[3] With a botnet at their disposal, adversaries may perform follow-on activity such as large-scale Phishing or Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS).

ID: T1584.005
Sub-technique of:  T1584
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Tactic: Resource Development
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Platforms: PRE
Version: 1.0
Created: 01 October 2020
Last Modified: 19 April 2022

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
G0001 Axiom

Axiom has used large groups of compromised machines for use as proxy nodes.[4]
G0034 Sandworm Team

Sandworm Team has used a large-scale botnet to target Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) network devices.[5]
G1017 Volt Typhoon

Volt Typhoon has routed traffic through compromised small office and home office (SOHO) network equipment, many of which were located in the same geographic area as the victim.[6][7]

Mitigations

ID Mitigation Description
M1056 Pre-compromise

This technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on behaviors performed outside of the scope of enterprise defenses and controls.

Detection

Much of this activity will take place outside the visibility of the target organization, making detection of this behavior difficult. Detection efforts may be focused on related stages of the adversary lifecycle, such as during Phishing, Endpoint Denial of Service, or Network Denial of Service.

References

  1. Norton. (n.d.). What is a botnet?. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  2. Imperva. (n.d.). Booters, Stressers and DDoSers. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  3. Dell SecureWorks Counter Threat Unit Threat Intelligence. (2015, October 13). Dridex (Bugat v5) Botnet Takeover Operation. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  4. Novetta. (n.d.). Operation SMN: Axiom Threat Actor Group Report. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  1. NCSC. (2022, February 23). Cyclops Blink Malware Analysis Report. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  2. Microsoft Threat Intelligence. (2023, May 24). Volt Typhoon targets US critical infrastructure with living-off-the-land techniques. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  3. NSA et al. (2023, May 24). People's Republic of China State-Sponsored Cyber Actor Living off the Land to Evade Detection. Retrieved July 27, 2023.