Gold Open Source
ExplorePackagesVulnerabilitiesCWEsMCP ServersScan
Login
Gold Open Source

The authoritative source for production-ready open-source components. Every package, container image, AI model, and MCP server undergoes rigorous verification for security, malware, and license compliance.

Explore Gold

  • Explore Everything
  • Packages
  • Gold Certified Packages
  • Container Images
  • AI Models
  • MCP Servers
  • Agent Skills
  • Chip Manufacturers

Security Data & Tools

  • Scan Your Dependencies
  • Trending Threats
  • Threat RSS Feeds
  • CVE Database
  • Actively Exploited (KEV)
  • SGZ Zero-Days
  • CWE Index
  • MITRE ATT&CK
  • Malicious Packages
  • Security Glossary
  • Supply-Chain Report
  • Developers (API & Badge)
  • Chrome Extension
  • Credits & Data Sources

Products

  • The Platform
  • ESSCM
  • Portal
  • TPRM
  • OSM
  • Cowork
  • Code / Runner
  • Guard

Use Cases

  • Know Your Software
  • Auto-Fix Vulnerabilities
  • Asset Discovery
  • AI Governance
  • MCP Server Security
  • Supply Chain Compliance
  • Zero-Day Discovery
  • All Use Cases

Company

  • About
  • Pricing
  • Blog
  • Documentation
  • Safeguard Academy
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Gold Open Source. All rights reserved.

Built with care bySafeguard
Home/ATT&CK/T1561/T1561.002
MITRE ATT&CK Sub-Technique

T1561.002: Disk Structure Wipe

ShareXLinkedInRedditHN

Adversaries may corrupt or wipe the disk data structures on a hard drive necessary to boot a system; targeting specific critical systems or in large numbers in a network to interrupt availability to system and network resources. Adversaries may attempt to render the system unable to boot by overwriting critical data located in structures such as the master boot record (MBR) or partition table.(Citation: Symantec Shamoon 2012)(Citation: FireEye Shamoon Nov 2016)(Citation: Palo Alto Shamoon Nov 2016)(Citation: Kaspersky StoneDrill 2017)(Citation: Unit 42 Shamoon3 2018) The data contained in disk structures may include the initial executable code for loading an operating system or the location of the file system partitions on disk. If this information is not present, the computer will not be able to load an operating system during the boot process, leaving the computer unavailable. [Disk Structure Wipe](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1561/002) may be performed in isolation, or along with [Disk Content Wipe](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1561/001) if all sectors of a disk are wiped. On a network devices, adversaries may reformat the file system using [Network Device CLI](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/008) commands such as `format`.(Citation: format_cmd_cisco) To maximize impact on the target organization, malware designed for destroying disk structures may have worm-like features to propagate across a network by leveraging other techniques like [Valid Accounts](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078), [OS Credential Dumping](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1003), and [SMB/Windows Admin Shares](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/002).(Citation: Symantec Shamoon 2012)(Citation: FireEye Shamoon Nov 2016)(Citation: Palo Alto Shamoon Nov 2016)(Citation: Kaspersky StoneDrill 2017)

Tactics
Impact
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows

▪Parent technique

T1561: Disk Wipe

▪Mitigations (1)

M1053Data Backup

Data Backup involves taking and securely storing backups of data from end-user systems and critical servers. It ensures that data remains available in the event of system compromise, ransomware attacks, or other disruptions. Backup processes should include hardening backup systems, implementing secure storage solutions, and keeping backups isolated from the corporate network to prevent compromise during active incidents. This mitigation can be implemented through the following measures: Regular Backup Scheduling: - Use Case: Ensure timely and consistent backups of critical data. - Implementation: Schedule daily incremental backups and weekly full backups for all critical servers and systems. Immutable Backups: - Use Case: Protect backups from modification or deletion, even by attackers. - Implementation: Use write-once-read-many (WORM) storage for backups, preventing ransomware from encrypting or deleting backup files. Backup Encryption: - Use Case: Protect data integrity and confidentiality during transit and storage. - Implementation: Encrypt backups using strong encryption protocols (e.g., AES-256) before storing them in local, cloud, or remote locations. Offsite Backup Storage: - Use Case: Ensure data availability during physical disasters or onsite breaches. - Implementation: Use cloud-based solutions like AWS S3, Azure Backup, or physical offsite storage to maintain a copy of critical data. Backup Testing: - Use Case: Validate backup integrity and ensure recoverability. - Implementation: Regularly test data restoration processes to ensure that backups are not corrupted and can be recovered quickly.

▪Used by groups (6)

G0032Lazarus GroupG0034Sandworm TeamG0067APT37G0082APT38G1003Ember BearG1055VOID MANTICORE

▪Software using this technique (13)

S0140ShamoonmalwareS0364RawDisktoolS0380StoneDrillmalwareS0607KillDiskmalwareS0689WhisperGatemalwareS0693CaddyWipermalwareS0697HermeticWipermalwareS1134DEADWOODmalwareS1135MultiLayer WipermalwareS1136BFG AgonizermalwareS1151ZeroClearemalwareS1178ShrinkLockermalwareS9002Diskparttool

▪Reference

T1561.002on MITRE ATT&CK

MITRE ATT&CK® is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. © 2026 The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation.