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Defacement: Internal Defacement

ID Name
T1491.001 Internal Defacement
T1491.002 External Defacement

An adversary may deface systems internal to an organization in an attempt to intimidate or mislead users, thus discrediting the integrity of the systems. This may take the form of modifications to internal websites or server login messages, or directly to user systems with the replacement of the desktop wallpaper.[1][2] Disturbing or offensive images may be used as a part of Internal Defacement in order to cause user discomfort, or to pressure compliance with accompanying messages. Since internally defacing systems exposes an adversary's presence, it often takes place after other intrusion goals have been accomplished.[3]

ID: T1491.001
Sub-technique of:  T1491
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Tactic: Impact
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Platforms: ESXi, Linux, Windows, macOS
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Impact Type: Integrity
Version: 1.2
Created: 20 February 2020
Last Modified: 24 October 2025
Version Permalink

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
S1070 Black Basta

Black Basta has set the desktop wallpaper on victims' machines to display a ransom note.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
G1043 BlackByte

BlackByte left ransom notes in all directories where encryption takes place.[13]
S1068 BlackCat

BlackCat can change the desktop wallpaper on compromised hosts.[14][15]
S0659 Diavol

After encryption, Diavol will capture the desktop background window, set the background color to black, and change the desktop wallpaper to a newly created bitmap image with the text "All your files are encrypted! For more information see "README-FOR-DECRYPT.txt".[16]
G0047 Gamaredon Group

Gamaredon Group has left taunting images and messages on the victims' desktops as proof of system access.[17]
S1139 INC Ransomware

INC Ransomware has the ability to change the background wallpaper image to display the ransom note.[18][19]
G0032 Lazarus Group

Lazarus Group replaced the background wallpaper of systems with a threatening image after rendering the system unbootable with a Disk Structure Wipe.[3]
S0688 Meteor

Meteor can change both the desktop wallpaper and the lock screen image to a custom image.[20]
S1242 Qilin

Qilin can set the wallpaper on compromised hosts to display a ransom message.[21]
S1212 RansomHub

RansomHub has placed a ransom note on comrpomised systems to warn victims and provide directions for how to retrieve data.[22]
S1150 ROADSWEEP

ROADSWEEP has dropped ransom notes in targeted folders prior to encrypting the files.[23]
S1178 ShrinkLocker

ShrinkLocker renames disk labels on victim hosts to the threat actor's email address to enable the victim to contact the threat actor for ransom negotiation.[24][25]

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.[26] 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
DET0082 Internal Website and System Content Defacement via UI or Messaging Modifications AN0229

Adversary modifies internal UI messages (e.g., login banners, desktop wallpapers) or hosted intranet web pages by creating or altering content files using scripts or unauthorized access. Often preceded by privilege escalation or web shell deployment.
AN0230

Adversary leverages root or sudo access to alter system banners, web content directories (e.g., /var/www/html), or login configurations (/etc/issue). File creation or overwrites may coincide with suspicious script execution or cron job activity.
AN0231

Modification of user desktop backgrounds, login screen messages, or system banners by adversaries using admin privileges or script execution. May coincide with tampering in /Library/Desktop Pictures/ or use of AppleScript.
AN0232

Adversary modifies ESXi host login banner or MOTD file (/etc/motd), either through SSH or host console access. May involve configuration file overwrite or API calls from compromised vSphere clients.

References

  1. Novetta Threat Research Group. (2016, February 24). Operation Blockbuster: Unraveling the Long Thread of the Sony Attack. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  2. Jason Hill. (2023, February 8). VMware ESXi in the Line of Ransomware Fire. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  3. Novetta Threat Research Group. (2016, February 24). Operation Blockbuster: Destructive Malware Report. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  4. Zargarov, N. (2022, May 2). New Black Basta Ransomware Hijacks Windows Fax Service. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  5. Ballmer, D. (2022, May 6). Black Basta: Rebrand of Conti or Something New?. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  6. Cyble. (2022, May 6). New ransomware variant targeting high-value organizations. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  7. Gonzalez, I., Chavez I., et al. (2022, May 9). Examining the Black Basta Ransomware’s Infection Routine. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  8. Avertium. (2022, June 1). AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT BLACK BASTA RANSOMWARE. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  9. Inman, R. and Gurney, P. (2022, June 6). Shining the Light on Black Basta. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  10. Vilkomir-Preisman, S. (2022, August 18). Beating Black Basta Ransomware. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  11. Elsad, A. (2022, August 25). Threat Assessment: Black Basta Ransomware. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  12. Check Point. (2022, October 20). BLACK BASTA AND THE UNNOTICED DELIVERY. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  13. US Federal Bureau of Investigation & US Secret Service. (2022, February 11). Indicators of Compromise Associated with BlackByte Ransomware. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  1. Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence. (2022, June 13). The many lives of BlackCat ransomware. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  2. Brandt, Andrew. (2022, July 14). BlackCat ransomware attacks not merely a byproduct of bad luck. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  3. Neeamni, D., Rubinfeld, A.. (2021, July 1). Diavol - A New Ransomware Used By Wizard Spider?. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  4. CERT-EE. (2021, January 27). Gamaredon Infection: From Dropper to Entry. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  5. Cybereason Security Research Team. (2023, November 20). Threat Alert: INC Ransomware. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  6. Counter Threat Unit Research Team. (2024, April 15). GOLD IONIC DEPLOYS INC RANSOMWARE. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  7. Check Point Research Team. (2021, August 14). Indra - Hackers Behind Recent Attacks on Iran. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  8. Bradshaw, A. et al. (2025, April 1). Qilin affiliates spear-phish MSP ScreenConnect admin, targeting customers downstream. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  9. CISA et al. (2024, August 29). #StopRansomware: RansomHub Ransomware. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  10. MSTIC. (2022, September 8). Microsoft investigates Iranian attacks against the Albanian government. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  11. Cristian Souza, Eduardo Ovalle, Ashley Muñoz, & Christopher Zachor. (2024, May 23). ShrinkLocker: Turning BitLocker into ransomware. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  12. Splunk Threat Research Team , Teoderick Contreras. (2024, September 5). ShrinkLocker Malware: Abusing BitLocker to Lock Your Data. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  13. Ready.gov. (n.d.). IT Disaster Recovery Plan. Retrieved March 15, 2019.