Acquire Infrastructure: DNS Server
- ID
- T1583.002
- Tactics
- TA0042 Resource Development
- Sub-technique of
- T1583 Acquire Infrastructure
- Platforms
- PRE
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 25 Oct 2025
Adversaries may set up their own Domain Name System (DNS) servers that can be used during targeting. During post-compromise activity, adversaries may utilize DNS traffic for various tasks, including for Command and Control (ex: Application Layer Protocol). Instead of hijacking existing DNS servers, adversaries may opt to configure and run their own DNS servers in support of operations.
By running their own DNS servers, adversaries can have more control over how they administer server-side DNS C2 traffic (DNS). With control over a DNS server, adversaries can configure DNS applications to provide conditional responses to malware and, generally, have more flexibility in the structure of the DNS-based C2 channel.[1]
Detection
- DET0862 Detection of DNS Server
Mitigations (1)
- M1056 Pre-compromise
This technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on behaviors performed outside of the scope of enterprise defenses and controls.