T1597 - Search Closed Sources

Tactics:
Reconnaissance
Platforms:
PRE
Detection:
Not specified
Description:
Adversaries may search and gather information about victims from closed (e.g., paid, private, or otherwise not freely available) sources that can be used during targeting. Information about victims may be available for purchase from reputable private sources and databases, such as paid subscriptions to feeds of technical/threat intelligence data. Adversaries may also purchase information from less-reputable sources such as dark web or cybercrime blackmarkets.(Citation: ZDNET Selling Data)

Adversaries may search in different closed databases depending on what information they seek to gather. Information from these sources may reveal opportunities for other forms of reconnaissance (ex: [Phishing for Information](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1598) or [Search Open Websites/Domains](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1593)), establishing operational resources (ex: [Develop Capabilities](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1587) or [Obtain Capabilities](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1588)), and/or initial access (ex: [External Remote Services](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1133) or [Valid Accounts](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078)).
Sub-techniques (2)
ID ATT&CK Actions
T1597.001 Threat Intel Vendors
T1597.002 Purchase Technical Data
Used by Actors (1)
Metadata
MITRE ID: T1597
STIX ID: attack-pattern--a51eb150-93b1-...
Platforms: PRE
Created: 13/01/2026 17:48
Updated: 07/03/2026 16:00