🛰️MITRE ATT&CK: Tactic TA0042 - Resource Development
- bharat kumar
- Nov 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 3
Before striking, attackers prepare. Under TA0042 – Resource Development, adversaries build, buy, or steal the tools and infrastructure needed for later stages — like domains, servers, and credentials. Think of it as their “setup phase” before execution.
⚙️ Types (Sub-Techniques)
Acquire Infrastructure (T1583)Attackers buy or rent domains, servers, or VPS to host phishing pages or C2.Example: Registering fake domains like “micr0soft-secure[.]com”.
Compromise Infrastructure (T1584)Instead of buying, they hijack existing systems to use as relay points. Example: Using compromised WordPress sites to host malware.
Establish Accounts (T1585)Creating fake social media, email, or developer accounts to blend in. Example: Fake LinkedIn profiles of “recruiters” used for spear phishing.
Obtain Capabilities (T1587)Getting malware, exploits, or tools from underground markets. Example: Buying a ready-made Remote Access Trojan (RAT).
Develop Capabilities (T1587.001)Writing or customizing malware in-house to avoid detection. Example: Crafting a new PowerShell loader variant.
Stage Capabilities (T1608)Uploading payloads or staging data on public or compromised servers. Example: Hosting malicious DLLs on GitHub or Pastebin.
🔍 Examples
APT29 (Cozy Bear) registered domains mimicking government agencies before spear-phishing campaigns.
FIN7 developed custom malware and used compromised servers for command and control.
Lazarus Group created fake companies and developer profiles to gain trust and distribute malicious apps.
🛡️ Recommendations & Best Practices
✅ Domain Monitoring: Track new domains similar to your brand to detect typo-squatting.
✅ Threat Intelligence Feeds: Use intel to identify attacker-owned infrastructure early.
✅ Email Security: Block disposable and suspicious domain-based accounts.
✅ Employee Awareness: Educate staff about fake recruiter and vendor profiles.
✅ Code & Repository Scans: Check for data leaks or malicious uploads tied to your org.
💡 Key Takeaway: Attackers don’t just appear — they build an ecosystem first. Detecting and disrupting their resources early can break the attack chain before it begins.
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