Description
Adversaries may search DNS data for information about victims that can be used during targeting. DNS information may include a variety of details, including registered name servers as well as records that outline addressing for a target’s subdomains, mail servers, and other hosts.
Adversaries may search DNS data to gather actionable information. Threat actors can query nameservers for a target organization directly, or search through centralized repositories of logged DNS query responses (known as passive DNS).(Citation: DNS Dumpster)(Citation: Circl Passive DNS) Adversaries may also seek and target DNS misconfigurations/leaks that reveal information about internal networks. Information from these sources may reveal opportunities for other forms of reconnaissance (ex: Search Victim-Owned Websites or Search Open Websites/Domains), establishing operational resources (ex: Acquire Infrastructure or Compromise Infrastructure), and/or initial access (ex: External Remote Services or Trusted Relationship).
Platforms
Mitigations (1)
Pre-compromiseM1056
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. Efforts should focus on minimizing the amount and sensitivity of data available to external parties.
References
- CIRCL Computer Incident Response Center. (n.d.). Passive DNS. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- Hacker Target. (n.d.). DNS Dumpster. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is T1596.001 (DNS/Passive DNS)?
T1596.001 is a MITRE ATT&CK technique named 'DNS/Passive DNS'. It belongs to the Reconnaissance tactic(s). Adversaries may search DNS data for information about victims that can be used during targeting. DNS information may include a variety of details, including registered name servers as well as records...
How can T1596.001 be detected?
Detection of T1596.001 (DNS/Passive DNS) typically involves monitoring system logs, network traffic, and endpoint telemetry. Use SIEM rules, EDR solutions, and behavioral analytics to identify suspicious activity associated with this technique.
What mitigations exist for T1596.001?
There are 1 documented mitigations for T1596.001. Key mitigations include: Pre-compromise.
Which threat groups use T1596.001?
While specific threat group attribution may vary, this technique has been observed in various real-world attacks. Check the MITRE ATT&CK website for the latest threat intelligence.