216.73.216.6

T1070.008: Clear Mailbox Data

View on MITRE ATT&CK The MITRE Corporation · Published 08/07/2022 23:04 · Modified 27/03/2026 01:09

Essential information

MITRE technique ID
T1070.008
Confidence
100/100
Revoked
No
Published
08/07/2022 23:04
Modified
27/03/2026 01:09
Author / Source
The MITRE Corporation

Platforms

windows macos linux Office Suite

Description

Adversaries may modify mail and mail application data to remove evidence of their activity. Email applications allow users and other programs to export and delete mailbox data via command line tools or use of APIs. Mail application data can be emails, email metadata, or logs generated by the application or operating system, such as export requests. Adversaries may manipulate emails and mailbox data to remove logs, artifacts, and metadata, such as evidence of [Phishing](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1566)/[Internal Spearphishing](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1534), [Email Collection](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1114), [Mail Protocols](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1071/003) for command and control, or email-based exfiltration such as [Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1048). For example, to remove evidence on Exchange servers adversaries have used the `ExchangePowerShell` [PowerShell](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/001) module, including `Remove-MailboxExportRequest` to remove evidence of mailbox exports.(Citation: Volexity SolarWinds)(Citation: ExchangePowerShell Module) On Linux and macOS, adversaries may also delete emails through a command line utility called `mail` or use [AppleScript](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/002) to interact with APIs on macOS.(Citation: Cybereason Cobalt Kitty 2017)(Citation: mailx man page) Adversaries may also remove emails and metadata/headers indicative of spam or suspicious activity (for example, through the use of organization-wide transport rules) to reduce the likelihood of malicious emails being detected by security products.(Citation: Microsoft OAuth Spam 2022)

Kill chain phases

Kill chainPhase
mitre-attack defense-evasion

Marking (TLP)

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External references