CAPEC-407: Pretexting
Description
An adversary engages in pretexting behavior to solicit information from target persons, or manipulate the target into performing some action that serves the adversary's interests. During a pretexting attack, the adversary creates an invented scenario, assuming an identity or role to persuade a targeted victim to release information or perform some action. It is more than just creating a lie; in some cases it can be creating a whole new identity and then using that identity to manipulate the receipt of information.
- Likelihood of attack
- Medium
- Typical severity
- Low
- Abstraction
- StandardA specific methodology or technique used in an attack.
Mechanism of attack: Engage in Deceptive Interactions, Collect and Analyze Information
Prerequisites
- The adversary must have the means and knowledge of how to communicate with the target in some manner.The adversary must have knowledge of the pretext that would influence the actions of the specific target.
Skills required
- LowThe adversary requires strong inter-personal and communication skills.
Consequences
- Confidentiality
Other
Depending on the adversary's intentions and the specific nature their actions/requests, a successful pretexting attack can result in the compromise to the confidentiality of sensitive information in a variety of contexts.
Mitigations
- An organization should provide regular, robust cybersecurity training to its employees to prevent successful social engineering attacks.
Related weaknesses (CWE)
CAPEC 3.9 links no CWE weakness to this pattern.
ATT&CK techniques (CAPEC taxonomy mapping)
Marked techniques are also explained, with detection notes and certification relevance, on our interactive ATT&CK map.