Internal Spearphishing
- ID
- T1534
- Tactics
- TA0008 Lateral Movement
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Office Suite, SaaS, Windows
- Data sources
- Logon Session Creation, User Account Authentication, Logon Session Metadata, Application Log Content, Process Creation, Network Traffic Content, Command Execution
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 12 May 2026
After they already have access to accounts or systems within the environment, adversaries may use internal spearphishing to gain access to additional information or compromise other users within the same organization. Internal spearphishing is multi-staged campaign where a legitimate account is initially compromised either by controlling the user's device or by compromising the account credentials of the user. Adversaries may then attempt to take advantage of the trusted internal account to increase the likelihood of tricking more victims into falling for phish attempts, often incorporating Impersonation.[1]
For example, adversaries may leverage Spearphishing Attachment or Spearphishing Link as part of internal spearphishing to deliver a payload or redirect to an external site to capture credentials through Input Capture on sites that mimic login interfaces.
Adversaries may also leverage internal chat apps, such as Microsoft Teams, to spread malicious content or engage users in attempts to capture sensitive information and/or credentials.[2]
Detection
- DET0054 Internal Spearphishing via Trusted Accounts
Data components: Logon Session Creation, User Account Authentication, Logon Session Metadata, Application Log Content, Process Creation, Network Traffic Content, Command Execution
Groups (7)
- G0047 Gamaredon Group
- G0065 Leviathan
- G0069 MuddyWater
- G0094 Kimsuky
- G0099 APT-C-36
- G1001 HEXANE
- G1059 NIMBUS MANTICORE
