H3XAOperational intelligence
Live analytical pictureEvidence before assessment
TypeTechnique
External ID—
First seen2026-08-14
Last seen2026-08-14

Confidence

—

Adversaries may buy, lease, rent, or obtain physical servers that can be used during targeting. Use of servers allows an adversary to stage, launch, and execute an operation. During post-compromise activity, adversaries may utilize servers for various tasks, such as watering hole operations in [Drive-by Compromise](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1189), enabling [Phishing](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1566) operations, or facilitating [Command and Control](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0011). Instead of compromising a third-party [Server](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1584/004) or renting a [Virtual Private Server](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1583/003), adversaries may opt to configure and run their own servers in support of operations. Free trial periods of cloud servers may also be abused.(Citation: Free Trial PurpleUrchin)(Citation: Freejacked) Adversaries may only need a lightweight setup if most of their activities will take place using online infrastructure. Or, they may need to build extensive infrastructure if they want to test, communicate, and control other aspects of their activities on their own systems.(Citation: NYTStuxnet)

15 recorded

Relationships

mitigatesMitigation
subtechnique-ofTechnique
uses
from CURIUM
Group
usesGroup
uses
from GALLIUM
Group
uses
from Kimsuky
Group
usesGroup
usesCampaign
usesCampaign
usesCampaign
usesCampaign
usesGroup
usesGroup
uses
from TeamPCP
Group
usesGroup
7 external

References

mitre-attack
T1583.004
open
Freejacked
https://sysdig.com/blog/googles-vertex-ai-platform-freejacked/
open
Free Trial PurpleUrchin
https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/purpleurchin-steals-cloud-resources/
open
Koczwara Beacon Hunting Sep 2021
https://michaelkoczwara.medium.com/cobalt-strike-c2-hunting-with-shodan-c448d501a6e2
open
Mandiant SCANdalous Jul 2020
https://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/threat-intelligence/scandalous-external-detection-using-network-scan-data-and-automation/
open
ThreatConnect Infrastructure Dec 2020
https://threatconnect.com/blog/infrastructure-research-hunting/
open
NYTStuxnet
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/world/middleeast/16stuxnet.html
open