T1587.004 Exploits

---
name: "T1587.004_exploits"
description: "Adversaries may develop exploits that can be used during targeting."
category: "information-gathering"
version: "18.1"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - mitre-attack
  - enterprise
  - t1587.004
  - resource-development
  - pre
  - sub-technique
technique_id: "T1587.004"
tactic: "resource-development"
all_tactics:
  - resource-development
platforms:
  - PRE
mitre_url: "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1587/004"
tech_stack:
  - pre
cwe_ids: []
chains_with:
  - T1587
  - T1587.001
  - T1587.002
  - T1587.003
prerequisites:
  - T1587
severity_boost:
  T1587: "Chain with T1587 for deeper attack path"
  T1587.001: "Chain with T1587.001 for deeper attack path"
  T1587.002: "Chain with T1587.002 for deeper attack path"
---

# T1587.004 Exploits

> **Sub-technique of:** T1587

## High-Level Description

Adversaries may develop exploits that can be used during targeting. An exploit takes advantage of a bug or vulnerability in order to cause unintended or unanticipated behavior to occur on computer hardware or software. Rather than finding/modifying exploits from online or purchasing them from exploit vendors, an adversary may develop their own exploits. Adversaries may use information acquired via Vulnerabilities to focus exploit development efforts. As part of the exploit development process, adversaries may uncover exploitable vulnerabilities through methods such as fuzzing and patch analysis.

As with legitimate development efforts, different skill sets may be required for developing exploits. The skills needed may be located in-house, or may need to be contracted out. Use of a contractor may be considered an extension of that adversary's exploit development capabilities, provided the adversary plays a role in shaping requirements and maintains an initial degree of exclusivity to the exploit.

Adversaries may use exploits during various phases of the adversary lifecycle (i.e. Exploit Public-Facing Application, Exploitation for Client Execution, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, Exploitation for Defense Evasion, Exploitation for Credential Access, Exploitation of Remote Services, and Application or System Exploitation).

## Kill Chain Phase

- Resource Development (TA0042)

**Platforms:** PRE

## What to Check

- [ ] Identify if Exploits technique is applicable to target environment
- [ ] Check PRE systems for indicators of Exploits
- [ ] Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (1 known mitigations)
- [ ] Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

## How to Test

### Manual Testing

1. **Identify Attack Surface**: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to Exploits by examining the target platforms (PRE).

2. **Assess Existing Defenses**: Review whether mitigations for T1587.004 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.

3. **Execute Test**: Use tools and methods described in the MITRE ATT&CK page and external references below.

> **Note**: No Atomic Red Team tests available for this technique. See [Atomic Red Team GitHub](https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team) for updates.

## Remediation Guide

### 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

### Detection of Exploits

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                       | Severity | Impact               |
| ----------------------------- | -------- | -------------------- |
| Exploits technique applicable | High     | Resource Development |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID | Title                 |
| ------ | --------------------- |
| N/A    | No direct CWE mapping |

## References

- [Irongeek Sims BSides 2017](https://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=videos/bsidescharm2017/bsidescharm-2017-t111-microsoft-patch-analysis-for-exploitation-stephen-sims)
- [NYTStuxnet](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/world/middleeast/16stuxnet.html)
- [Atomic Red Team - T1587.004](https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/tree/master/atomics/T1587.004)
- [MITRE ATT&CK - T1587.004](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1587/004)