Data-only extortion
Data stolen and leak threatened without encryption
categoryPhysical, insider and cross-cutting attacksseverityHighdetectabilityLowlabnot yet measured
Example: 12.71% exfil-only (Unit 42)
Classification
26 values: 13 imported, 1 derived, 12 machine-classified. What do these mean?
Exploitability
| Attack vector | Post-compromise / campaign |
|---|---|
| Reach (CVSS) | Network |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges required | None |
| User interaction | None |
| Attacker skill required | Medium |
| Resources required | Medium |
| Likelihood / prevalence | High |
| Maturity | Established |
Impact & scope
| Severity | High |
|---|---|
| Impact | Availability |
| Platform | LinuxmacOSOffice SuiteSaaSWindows |
| Environment | CloudOn-premises |
| Target asset class | Data store |
| Kill-chain phase (tactic) | Impact |
Detection & telemetry
| Detectability | Low |
|---|---|
| Data sources (ATT&CK data components) | Application Log ContentCommand ExecutionFile ModificationLogon Session CreationProcess Creation |
Detection & response
Mitigated by 2
Detected by 1
- DET0495 attack-detection-strategy
Framework references
- Primary source: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2026/02/unit-42-global-ir-report/
- attack: T1657 (primary)
Evidence & sources
- ev-0001 (Cyber Attack Taxonomy) — Name, definition and Example/ID taken verbatim from the 'Physical, insider and cross-cutting attacks' table, line 698 of Cyber-Attack-Taxonomy.md
- ev-0002 (Seeded-record enrichment run 2026-09-30 (crosswalk + facet classification)) — Crosswalk to attack:T1657 as the nearest framework entries; ids verified to exist in the cached catalogues.
- ev-0003 (MITRE Enterprise ATT&CK v19.2 (STIX 2.1)) — ATT&CK usage prevalence: 26 groups/software/campaigns reference this technique (ATT&CK enterprise v19.2)