T1213.005 Messaging Applications

Adversaries may leverage chat and messaging applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Slack, to mine valuable information.

The following is a brief list of example information that may hold potential value to an adversary and may also be found on messaging applications:

  • Testing / development credentials (i.e., Chat Messages)
  • Source code snippets
  • Links to network shares and other internal resources
  • Proprietary data(Citation: Guardian Grand Theft Auto Leak 2022)
  • Discussions about ongoing incident response efforts(Citation: SC Magazine Ragnar Locker 2021)(Citation: Microsoft DEV-0537)

In addition to exfiltrating data from messaging applications, adversaries may leverage data from chat messages in order to improve their targeting - for example, by learning more about an environment or evading ongoing incident response efforts.(Citation: Sentinel Labs NullBulge 2024)(Citation: Permiso Scattered Spider 2023)

View in MITRE ATT&CK®

VERIS Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
action.malware.variety.Export data Export data to another site or system related-to T1213.005 Messaging Applications
attribute.confidentiality.data_disclosure Confirmed or potential data disclosure related-to T1213.005 Messaging Applications

GCP Mappings

Capability ID Capability Description Mapping Type ATT&CK ID ATT&CK Name Notes
cloud_identity Cloud Identity technique_scores T1213.005 Messaging Applications
Comments
The access controls in Cloud Identity, such as MFA, can help to prevent an adversary from accessing internal software such as messaging tools, protecting customer data. However, if the adversary is able to access the system, Cloud Identity is not able to protect this data, leading to a score of partial.
References