T1578.003 Delete Cloud Instance

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.(Citation: Mandiant M-Trends 2020)

View in MITRE ATT&CK®

CSA CCM Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
IAM-16 Authorization Mechanisms mitigates T1578.003 Delete Cloud Instance
Comments
This control requires both CSP and CSC to independently enforce formal approval processes for user access, implement dynamic and explicit authorization mechanisms. The guidance focuses on implementing technical measures to verify authorization and prevent unauthorized access and execution.
References
    IAM-05 Least Privilege mitigates T1578.003 Delete Cloud Instance
    Comments
    This control describes the enforcement of the principle of least privilege implementing controls such as regular automated reviews of access permissions, enforcing MFA for high-risk accounts, promptly revoking unused privileges, and by limiting access to sensitive data. Adversary's have been observed using this technique to delete the victime's systems and resources in the cloud to trigger the organization's incident and crisis response process. For this technique, in terms of mitigation, 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.
    References