Defacement

Adversaries may modify visual content available internally or externally to an enterprise network, thus affecting the integrity of the original content. Reasons for Defacement include delivering messaging, intimidation, or claiming (possibly false) credit for an intrusion. Disturbing or offensive images may be used as a part of Defacement in order to cause user discomfort, or to pressure compliance with accompanying messages.

ID: T1491
Sub-techniques:  T1491.001, T1491.002
Tactic: Impact
Platforms: ESXi, IaaS, Linux, Windows, macOS
Impact Type: Integrity
Version: 1.4
Created: 08 April 2019
Last Modified: 24 October 2025

Mitigations

ID Mitigation Description
M1053 Data Backup

Consider implementing IT disaster recovery plans that contain procedures for taking regular data backups that can be used to restore organizational data.[1] Ensure backups are stored off system and is protected from common methods adversaries may use to gain access and destroy the backups to prevent recovery.

Detection Strategy

ID Name Analytic ID Analytic Description
DET0238 Defacement via File and Web Content Modification Across Platforms AN0662

Adversary modifies website or application-hosted content via unauthorized file changes or script injections, often by exploiting web servers or CMS access.

AN0663

Adversary gains shell access or uploads a malicious script to deface hosted web content in Nginx, Apache, or other services.

AN0664

Adversary modifies internal or external site content through manipulated application bundles, hosted content, or web server configs.

AN0665

Adversary defaces internal VM-hosted portals or web UIs by modifying static content on datastore-mounted paths.

AN0666

Adversary uses compromised instance credentials or web application access to deface content hosted in S3 buckets, Azure Blob Storage, or GCP Buckets.

References