Data Manipulation: Stored Data Manipulation

Adversaries may insert, delete, or manipulate data at rest in order to influence external outcomes or hide activity, thus threatening the integrity of the data.[1][2] By manipulating stored data, adversaries may attempt to affect a business process, organizational understanding, and decision making.

Stored data could include a variety of file formats, such as Office files, databases, stored emails, and custom file formats. The type of modification and the impact it will have depends on the type of data as well as the goals and objectives of the adversary. For complex systems, an adversary would likely need special expertise and possibly access to specialized software related to the system that would typically be gained through a prolonged information gathering campaign in order to have the desired impact.

ID: T1565.001
Sub-technique of:  T1565
Tactic: Impact
Platforms: Linux, Windows, macOS
Impact Type: Integrity
Version: 1.1
Created: 02 March 2020
Last Modified: 24 October 2025

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
G0082 APT38

APT38 has used DYEPACK to create, delete, and alter records in databases used for SWIFT transactions.[1]

S1135 MultiLayer Wiper

MultiLayer Wiper changes the original path information of deleted files to make recovery efforts more difficult.[3]

S0562 SUNSPOT

SUNSPOT created a copy of the SolarWinds Orion software source file with a .bk extension to backup the original content, wrote SUNBURST using the same filename but with a .tmp extension, and then moved SUNBURST using MoveFileEx to the original filename with a .cs extension so it could be compiled within Orion software.[4]

Mitigations

ID Mitigation Description
M1041 Encrypt Sensitive Information

Consider encrypting important information to reduce an adversary’s ability to perform tailored data modifications.

M1029 Remote Data Storage

Consider implementing IT disaster recovery plans that contain procedures for taking regular data backups that can be used to restore organizational data.[5] Ensure backups are stored off system and is protected from common methods adversaries may use to gain access and manipulate backups.

M1022 Restrict File and Directory Permissions

Ensure least privilege principles are applied to important information resources to reduce exposure to data manipulation risk.

Detection Strategy

ID Name Analytic ID Analytic Description
DET0193 Detection Strategy for Stored Data Manipulation across OS Platforms. AN0555

Identify unauthorized creation, deletion, or modification of business-critical stored data such as Office documents, database files, and log archives. Detect anomalous processes modifying stored data outside of expected workflows (e.g., non-database processes modifying database files).

AN0556

Detect suspicious file creation, modification, or deletion in stored data directories (e.g., /var/lib/mysql/, /var/log/, mail spools). Identify shell commands interacting directly with structured data files instead of legitimate database utilities.

AN0557

Monitor sensitive data files such as plist-based storage, mail archives, or Office files for unexpected modifications. Detect anomalous processes modifying stored data outside expected update cycles using FSEvents and Unified Logs.

References