Compromise Infrastructure: Virtual Private Server
- ID
- T1584.003
- Tactics
- TA0042 Resource Development
- Sub-technique of
- T1584 Compromise Infrastructure
- Platforms
- PRE
- Data sources
- Response Content, Response Metadata
- Source
- attack.mitre.org
- MITRE last modified
- 18 Sep 2026
Adversaries may compromise third-party Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) that can be used during targeting. There exist a variety of cloud service providers that will sell virtual machines/containers as a service. Adversaries may compromise VPSs purchased by third-party entities. By compromising a VPS to use as infrastructure, adversaries can make it difficult to physically tie back operations to themselves.[1]
Compromising a VPS for use in later stages of the adversary lifecycle, such as Command and Control, can allow adversaries to benefit from the ubiquity and trust associated with higher reputation cloud service providers as well as that added by the compromised third-party.
Detection
- DET0854 Detection of Virtual Private Server
Data components: Response Content, Response Metadata
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.