T1592.002 Software

---
name: "T1592.002_software"
description: "Adversaries may gather information about the victim's host software that can be used during targeting."
category: "information-gathering"
version: "18.1"
author: "cyberstrike-official"
tags:
  - mitre-attack
  - enterprise
  - t1592.002
  - reconnaissance
  - pre
  - sub-technique
technique_id: "T1592.002"
tactic: "reconnaissance"
all_tactics:
  - reconnaissance
platforms:
  - PRE
mitre_url: "https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1592/002"
tech_stack:
  - pre
cwe_ids:
  - CWE-200
chains_with:
  - T1592
  - T1592.001
  - T1592.003
  - T1592.004
prerequisites:
  - T1592
severity_boost:
  T1592: "Chain with T1592 for deeper attack path"
  T1592.001: "Chain with T1592.001 for deeper attack path"
  T1592.003: "Chain with T1592.003 for deeper attack path"
---

# T1592.002 Software

> **Sub-technique of:** T1592

## High-Level Description

Adversaries may gather information about the victim's host software that can be used during targeting. Information about installed software may include a variety of details such as types and versions on specific hosts, as well as the presence of additional components that might be indicative of added defensive protections (ex: antivirus, SIEMs, etc.).

Adversaries may gather this information in various ways, such as direct collection actions via Active Scanning (ex: listening ports, server banners, user agent strings) or Phishing for Information. Adversaries may also compromise sites then include malicious content designed to collect host information from visitors. Information about the installed software may also be exposed to adversaries via online or other accessible data sets (ex: job postings, network maps, assessment reports, resumes, or purchase invoices). Additionally, adversaries may analyze metadata from victim-owned files (e.g., PDFs, DOCs, images, and sound files hosted on victim-owned websites) to extract information about the software and hardware used to create or process those files. Metadata may reveal software versions, configurations, or timestamps that indicate outdated or vulnerable software. This information can be cross-referenced with known CVEs to identify potential vectors for exploitation in future operations.

Gathering this information may reveal opportunities for other forms of reconnaissance (ex: Search Open Websites/Domains or Search Open Technical Databases), establishing operational resources (ex: Develop Capabilities or Obtain Capabilities), and/or for initial access (ex: Supply Chain Compromise or External Remote Services).

## Kill Chain Phase

- Reconnaissance (TA0043)

**Platforms:** PRE

## What to Check

- [ ] Identify if Software technique is applicable to target environment
- [ ] Check PRE systems for indicators of Software
- [ ] 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 Software by examining the target platforms (PRE).

2. **Assess Existing Defenses**: Review whether mitigations for T1592.002 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. Efforts should focus on minimizing the amount and sensitivity of data available to external parties.

## Detection

### Detection of Software

## Risk Assessment

| Finding                       | Severity | Impact         |
| ----------------------------- | -------- | -------------- |
| Software technique applicable | High     | Reconnaissance |

## CWE Categories

| CWE ID  | Title                             |
| ------- | --------------------------------- |
| CWE-200 | Exposure of Sensitive Information |

## References

- [ATT ScanBox](https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/labs-research/scanbox-a-reconnaissance-framework-used-on-watering-hole-attacks)
- [Outpost24](https://outpost24.com/blog/metadata-hackers-best-friend/)
- [ThreatConnect Infrastructure Dec 2020](https://threatconnect.com/blog/infrastructure-research-hunting/)
- [Atomic Red Team - T1592.002](https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/tree/master/atomics/T1592.002)
- [MITRE ATT&CK - T1592.002](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1592/002)