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T1533 Data from Local System

Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems or local databases, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to exfiltration.

Access to local system data, which includes information stored by the operating system, often requires escalated privileges. Examples of local system data include authentication tokens, the device keyboard cache, Wi-Fi passwords, and photos. On Android, adversaries may also attempt to access files from external storage which may require additional storage-related permissions.

Item Value
ID T1533
Sub-techniques
Tactics TA0035
Platforms Android, iOS
Version 1.1
Created 10 October 2019
Last Modified 24 October 2025

Procedure Examples

ID Name Description
S1061 AbstractEmu AbstractEmu can collect files from or inspect the device’s filesystem.37
S1095 AhRat AhRat can find and exfiltrate files with certain extensions, such as .jpg, .mp4, .html, .docx, and .pdf.9
S0422 Anubis Anubis can exfiltrate files encrypted with the ransomware module from the device and can modify external storage.87
S1215 Binary Validator Binary Validator has searched for and has deleted the malicious iMessage attachment used in the initial access phase in various databases.30
S1079 BOULDSPY BOULDSPY can access browser history and bookmarks, and can list all files and folders on the device.25
S1094 BRATA BRATA has collected account information from compromised devices.43
S0655 BusyGasper BusyGasper can collect images stored on the device and browser history.4
S1083 Chameleon Chameleon has gathered cookies and device logs.56
S0555 CHEMISTGAMES CHEMISTGAMES can collect files from the filesystem and account information from Google Chrome.27
S0426 Concipit1248 Concipit1248 can collect device photos.15
S0425 Corona Updates Corona Updates can collect voice notes, device accounts, and gallery images.15
S1243 DCHSpy DCHSpy has collected files of interest on the device, including WhatsApp files.47
S0301 Dendroid Dendroid can collect the device’s photos, browser history, bookmarks, and accounts stored on the device.20
S0505 Desert Scorpion Desert Scorpion can collect attacker-specified files, including files located on external storage.22
S0550 DoubleAgent DoubleAgent has collected files from the infected device.17
S1054 Drinik Drinik can request the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE and WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE Android permissions.28
S1092 Escobar Escobar can collect sensitive information, such as Google Authenticator codes.46
S0507 eSurv eSurv can exfiltrate device pictures.19
S0405 Exodus Exodus Two can extract information on pictures from the Gallery, Chrome and SBrowser bookmarks, and the connected WiFi network’s password.50
S1080 Fakecalls Fakecalls can access and exfiltrate files, such as photos or video.3
S0408 FlexiSpy FlexiSpy can monitor device photos and can also access browser history and bookmarks.1
S0577 FrozenCell FrozenCell has retrieved device images for exfiltration.12
S0423 Ginp Ginp can download device logs.51
S0535 Golden Cup Golden Cup can collect images, videos, and attacker-specified files.24
S0551 GoldenEagle GoldenEagle has retrieved .doc, .txt, .gif, .apk, .jpg, .png, .mp3, and .db files from external storage.17
S0421 GolfSpy GolfSpy can collect local accounts on the device, pictures, bookmarks/histories of the default browser, and files stored on the SD card. GolfSpy can list image, audio, video, and other files stored on the device. GolfSpy can copy arbitrary files from the device.18
S0290 Gooligan Gooligan steals authentication tokens that can be used to access data from multiple Google applications.29
S0536 GPlayed GPlayed can collect the user’s browser cookies.44
S0406 Gustuff Gustuff can capture files and photos from the compromised device.11
S0544 HenBox HenBox can steal data from various sources, including chat, communication, and social media apps.26
S1077 Hornbill Hornbill can access images stored on external storage.14
S0463 INSOMNIA INSOMNIA can collect application database files, including Gmail, Hangouts, device photos, and container directories of third-party apps.39
S1185 LightSpy LightSpy has collected and exfiltrated files from messaging applications, such as Telegram, QQ, WeChat, and Whatsapp, and browser history from Chrome and Safari.3335363432
S0407 Monokle Monokle can retrieve the salt used when storing the user’s password, aiding an adversary in computing the user’s plaintext password/PIN from the stored password hash. Monokle can also capture the user’s dictionary, user-defined shortcuts, and browser history, enabling profiling of the user and their activities.16
C0016 Operation Dust Storm During Operation Dust Storm, the threat actors used Android backdoors capable of exfiltrating specific files directly from the infected devices.54
C0054 Operation Triangulation During Operation Triangulation, the threat actors stole data from SQLite databases.30
S1126 Phenakite Phenakite can collect and exfiltrate WhatsApp media, photos and files with specific extensions, such as .pdf and .doc.23
S1241 RatMilad RatMilad has listed files and pictures on the device starting from /mnt/sdcard/.10
S0295 RCSAndroid RCSAndroid can collect passwords for Wi-Fi networks and online accounts, including Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Google, WhatsApp, Mail, and LinkedIn.31
S0549 SilkBean SilkBean can retrieve files from external storage and can collect browser data.17
S1195 SpyC23 SpyC23 can collect and exfiltrate files with specific extensions, such as .pdf, doc.2
S0305 SpyNote RAT SpyNote RAT can copy files from the device to the C2 server.40
S0328 Stealth Mango Stealth Mango collected and exfiltrated data from the device, including sensitive letters/documents, stored photos, and stored audio files.41
S1082 Sunbird Sunbird can access images stored on external storage.14
S0329 Tangelo Tangelo accesses browser history, pictures, and videos.41
S1069 TangleBot TangleBot can request permission to view files and media.13
S0558 Tiktok Pro Tiktok Pro can collect device photos and credentials from other applications.38
S1216 TriangleDB TriangleDB has collected and exfiltrated files.52
S0427 TrickMo TrickMo can steal pictures from the device.45
S0418 ViceLeaker ViceLeaker can copy arbitrary files from the device to the C2 server, can exfiltrate browsing history, can exfiltrate the SD card structure, and can exfiltrate pictures as the user takes them.4849
S0506 ViperRAT ViperRAT can collect device photos, PDF documents, Office documents, browser history, and browser bookmarks.42
G0112 Windshift Windshift has exfiltrated local account data and calendar information as part of Operation ROCK.53
S0489 WolfRAT WolfRAT can collect user account, photos, browser history, and arbitrary files.21

References

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