T1588.005 Exploits

---
name: "T1588.005_exploits"
description: "Adversaries may buy, steal, or download exploits that can be used during targeting."
category: "information-gathering"
version: "18.1"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - mitre-attack
  - enterprise
  - t1588.005
  - resource-development
  - pre
  - sub-technique
technique_id: "T1588.005"
tactic: "resource-development"
all_tactics:
  - resource-development
platforms:
  - PRE
mitre_url: "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1588/005"
tech_stack:
  - pre
cwe_ids: []
chains_with:
  - T1588
  - T1588.001
  - T1588.002
  - T1588.003
  - T1588.004
  - T1588.006
  - T1588.007
prerequisites:
  - T1588
severity_boost:
  T1588: "Chain with T1588 for deeper attack path"
  T1588.001: "Chain with T1588.001 for deeper attack path"
  T1588.002: "Chain with T1588.002 for deeper attack path"
---

# T1588.005 Exploits

> **Sub-technique of:** T1588

## High-Level Description

Adversaries may buy, steal, or download 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 developing their own exploits, an adversary may find/modify exploits from online or purchase them from exploit vendors.

In addition to downloading free exploits from the internet, adversaries may purchase exploits from third-party entities. Third-party entities can include technology companies that specialize in exploit development, criminal marketplaces (including exploit kits), or from individuals. In addition to purchasing exploits, adversaries may steal and repurpose exploits from third-party entities (including other adversaries).

An adversary may monitor exploit provider forums to understand the state of existing, as well as newly discovered, exploits. There is usually a delay between when an exploit is discovered and when it is made public. An adversary may target the systems of those known to conduct exploit research and development in order to gain that knowledge for use during a subsequent operation.

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 T1588.005 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

- [PegasusCitizenLab](https://citizenlab.ca/2016/08/million-dollar-dissident-iphone-zero-day-nso-group-uae/)
- [NationsBuying](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/world/europe/nations-buying-as-hackers-sell-computer-flaws.html)
- [Exploit Database](https://www.exploit-db.com/)
- [TempertonDarkHotel](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/darkhotel-hacking-team-cyber-espionage)
- [Wired SandCat Oct 2019](https://www.vice.com/en/article/3kx5y3/uzbekistan-hacking-operations-uncovered-due-to-spectacularly-bad-opsec)
- [Atomic Red Team - T1588.005](https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/tree/master/atomics/T1588.005)
- [MITRE ATT&CK - T1588.005](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1588/005)