TA0001 · INITIAL ACCESS
Spearphishing via Service
Adversaries may send spearphishing messages via third-party services in an attempt to gain access to victim systems. Spearphishing via service is a specific variant of spearphishing.
Detect it with
Because most common third-party services used for spearphishing via service leverage TLS encryption, SSL/TLS inspection is generally required to detect the initial communication/delivery.
Why it matters on shift
Spearphishing via Service is one of the concrete ways adversaries achieve initial access. Recognising it in telemetry lets you name the technique in your ticket and pivot to what came before and after.
What to look for next
After initial access, the next tactic is usually Execution. Search your telemetry for the transition before closing the ticket.
Kill-chain context