TACTIC: IMPACT
Inhibit System Recovery (T1490): real cases
MITRE Definition ↗ Adversaries delete volume shadow copies and system restore points to prevent recovery from ransomware.
Key Facts
Technique ID
T1490
Impact
Mapped Cases
2
Primary sources
Related Laws
4
Criminal statutes
- ATT&CK Technique Identifier: T1490.
- Tactical Phase: Impact.
- Substantiated in 2 primary court prosecution cases.
- Every associated case includes verbatim evidentiary excerpts from indictments or sworn affidavits.
Verified Evidentiary Case Records
U.S. v. Khoroshev et al. (LockBit Ransomware Operation)
charged 2024-05-07
Primary Source Evidence Excerpt: Indictment ¶ 14, Page 7
"The malware invoked commands including 'vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet' and 'wmic shadowcopy delete' to prevent administrative recovery."
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
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U.S. v. Vachon-Desjardins (Netwalker Ransomware)
sentenced 2020-12-16
Primary Source Evidence Excerpt: Indictment ¶ 8
"Before executing the ransomware payload, defendant disabled shadow copies and altered registry settings to prevent recovery."
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
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Commonly Charged Criminal Statutes
18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2)
Unauthorized Access to Obtain Protected Information
Prohibits intentionally accessing a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access to obtain financial, government, or protected computer records.
18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A)
Intentional Damage to a Protected Computer
Prohibits knowingly causing the transmission of a program, information, code, or command that intentionally causes damage without authorization to a protected computer.
18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(7)
Extortion in Connection with Computers
Prohibits transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce threats to cause damage to a protected computer or obtain confidential information with intent to extort money or value.
18 U.S.C. § 1030(b)
Conspiracy to Commit Computer Fraud
Punishes any person who conspires to commit or attempts to commit any computer fraud offense under section 1030.