Automated Collection

ID: T1119
Tactics: TA0009 Collection
Platforms: IaaS, Linux, macOS, Office Suite, SaaS, Windows
Data sources: Process Creation, File Creation, File Access, Script Execution, User Account Authentication
Source: attack.mitre.org
MITRE last modified: 12 Sep 2026

Once established within a system or network, an adversary may use automated techniques for collecting internal data. Methods for performing this technique could include use of a Command and Scripting Interpreter to search for and copy information fitting set criteria such as file type, location, or name at specific time intervals.

In cloud-based environments, adversaries may also use cloud APIs, data pipelines, command line interfaces, or extract, transform, and load (ETL) services to automatically collect data.^[1]

This functionality could also be built into remote access tools.

This technique may incorporate use of other techniques such as File and Directory Discovery and Lateral Tool Transfer to identify and move files, as well as Cloud Service Dashboard and Cloud Storage Object Discovery to identify resources in cloud environments.

Detection

DET0186 Automated File and API Collection Detection Across Platforms
Data components: Process Creation, File Creation, File Access, Script Execution, User Account Authentication

Mitigations (2)

M1029 Remote Data Storage: Encryption and off-system storage of sensitive information may be one way to mitigate collection of files, but may not stop an adversary from acquiring the information if an intrusion persists over a long period of time and the adversary is able to discover and access the data through other means.
M1041 Encrypt Sensitive Information: Encryption and off-system storage of sensitive information may be one way to mitigate collection of files, but may not stop an adversary from acquiring the information if an intrusion persists over a long period of time and the adversary is able to discover and access the data through other means. Strong passwords should be used on certain encrypted documents that use them to prevent offline cracking through Brute Force techniques.

Groups (21)

Software (50)

References

Mandiant UNC3944 SMS Phishing 2023