T1029
Scheduled Transfer
Linux · macOS · Windowsnothing on this site yetT1029 on attack.mitre.org
Adversaries may schedule data exfiltration to be performed only at certain times of day or at certain intervals. This could be done to blend traffic patterns with normal activity or availability. When scheduled exfiltration is used, other exfiltration techniques likely apply as well to transfer the information out of the network, such as Exfiltration Over C2 Channel or Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol.
If this is happening now
Checklists and playbooks to open while the alert is still live.
Playbook for this stage
Suspected data theft by an insider
A resignation with unusual file access, a DLP alert, or an unexplained large transfer.
how MITRE says to see it
Detection Strategy for Scheduled Transfer and Recurrent Exfiltration Patterns
- Recurring network exfiltration initiated by scheduled or script-based processes exhibiting time-based regularity and consistent external destinations.
- Detection of cron-based or script-based recurring transfers where the same script, user, or destination reappears at predictable intervals.
- LaunchAgent or launchd recurring jobs initiating data transfer to consistent external IPs or domains with repeat timing signatures.
what reduces it
- M1031 Network Intrusion Prevention. Network intrusion detection and prevention systems that use network signatures to identify traffic for specific adversary command and control infrastructure and malware can be used to mitigate activity at the network level.