Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure: Delete Cloud Instance
- ID
- T1578.003
- Tactics
- TA0112 Defense Impairment
- Sub-technique of
- T1578 Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure
- Platforms
- IaaS
- Data sources
- Instance Stop, Instance Metadata, Instance Deletion
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 12 May 2026
An adversary may delete a cloud instance after they have performed malicious activities in an attempt to evade detection and remove evidence of their presence. Deleting an instance or virtual machine can remove valuable forensic artifacts and other evidence of suspicious behavior if the instance is not recoverable.
An adversary may also Create Cloud Instance and later terminate the instance after achieving their objectives.[1]
Detection
- DET0084 Detection Strategy for Modify Cloud Compute Infrastructure: Delete Cloud Instance
Data components: Instance Stop, Instance Metadata, Instance Deletion
Mitigations (2)
- M1018 User Account Management
Limit permissions for deleting new instances in accordance with least privilege. Organizations should limit the number of users within the organization with an IAM role that has administrative privileges, strive to reduce all permanent privileged role assignments, and conduct periodic entitlement reviews on IAM users, roles and policies.[1]
- M1047 Audit
Routinely check user permissions to ensure only the expected users have the capability to delete new instances.