MITRE ATT&CKsub-technique

T1552.005 Cloud Instance Metadata API

Published 2020-02-11 Modified 2026-05-12 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Credential Access
Platforms
IaaS
Version
1.4
Created
2020-02-11

Description

Adversaries may attempt to access the Cloud Instance Metadata API to collect credentials and other sensitive data. Most cloud service providers support a Cloud Instance Metadata API which is a service provided to running virtual instances that allows applications to access information about the running virtual instance. Available information generally includes name, security group, and additional metadata including sensitive data such as credentials and UserData scripts that may contain additional secrets. The Instance Metadata API is provided as a convenience to assist in managing applications and is accessible by anyone who can access the instance. A cloud metadata API has been used in at least one high profile compromise. If adversaries have a presence on the running virtual instance, they may query the Instance Metadata API directly to identify credentials that grant access to additional resources. Additionally, adversaries may exploit a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in a public facing web proxy that allows them to gain access to the sensitive information via a request to the Instance Metadata API. The de facto standard across cloud service providers is to host the Instance Metadata API at http[:]//169.254.169.254.

Related

Subtechnique of · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • T1552 Unsecured Credentials technique

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • TA0006 Credential Access tactic

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (3)

  • M1035 Limit Access to Resource Over Network mitigation
  • M1037 Filter Network Traffic mitigation
  • M1042 Disable or Remove Feature or Program mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (7)

  • S9045 BACKUPOSINT v9.0 APEX PREDATOR software (malware)
  • S9043 Mini Shai-Hulud software (malware)
  • S9008 Shai-Hulud software (malware)
  • S9009 TruffleHog software (tool)
  • S0683 Peirates software (tool)
  • G0139 TeamTNT group
  • S0601 Hildegard software (malware)

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (18)

  • CIS-13.10 Perform Application Layer Filtering CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-13.4 Perform Traffic Filtering Between Network Segments CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-4.4 Implement and Manage a Firewall on Servers CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-4.8 Uninstall or Disable Unnecessary Services on Enterprise Assets and Software CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • NIST-AC-16 Security and Privacy Attributes NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-17 Remote Access NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-20 Use of External Systems NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-3 Access Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CA-7 Continuous Monitoring NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-6 Configuration Settings NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-7 Least Functionality NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-3 Device Identification and Authentication NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-4 Identifier Management NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-7 Boundary Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-10 Information Input Validation NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-15 Information Output Filtering NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-4 System Monitoring NIST 800-53 control

References