Data from Information Repositories: Databases
- ID
- T1213.006
- Tactics
- TA0009 Collection
- Sub-technique of
- T1213 Data from Information Repositories
- Platforms
- IaaS, Linux, macOS, SaaS, Windows
- Data sources
- Process Creation, File Creation, Network Traffic Content, Network Connection Creation, Cloud Service Metadata, Cloud Storage Access, Application Log Content, File Access
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 12 May 2026
Adversaries may leverage databases to mine valuable information. These databases may be hosted on-premises or in the cloud (both in platform-as-a-service and software-as-a-service environments).
Examples of databases from which information may be collected include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Amazon Relational Database Service, Azure SQL Database, Google Firebase, and Snowflake. Databases may include a variety of information of interest to adversaries, such as usernames, hashed passwords, personally identifiable information, and financial data. Data collected from databases may be used for Lateral Movement, Command and Control, or Exfiltration. Data exfiltrated from databases may also be used to extort victims or may be sold for profit.[1]
Detection
- DET0242 Suspicious Database Access and Dump Activity Across Environments (T1213.006)
Data components: Process Creation, File Creation, Network Traffic Content, Network Connection Creation, Cloud Service Metadata, Cloud Storage Access, Application Log Content, File Access
Mitigations (5)
- M1017 User Training
Develop and publish policies that define acceptable information to be stored in databases and acceptable handling of customer data. Only store information required for business operations.
- M1018 User Account Management
Enforce the principle of least-privilege. Consider implementing access control mechanisms that include both authentication and authorization.
- M1041 Encrypt Sensitive Information
Encrypt data stored at rest in databases.
- M1047 Audit
Consider periodic review of accounts and privileges for critical and sensitive databases.
- M1054 Software Configuration
Consider implementing data retention policies to automate periodically archiving and/or deleting data that is no longer needed.