MITRE ATT&CK Technique
Execution T1059.006
Description

Adversaries may abuse Python commands and scripts for execution. Python is a very popular scripting/programming language, with capabilities to perform many functions. Python can be executed interactively from the command-line (via the <code>python.exe</code> interpreter) or via scripts (.py) that can be written and distributed to different systems. Python code can also be compiled into binary executables.(Citation: Zscaler APT31 Covid-19 October 2020) Python comes with many built-in packages to interact with the underlying system, such as file operations and device I/O. Adversaries can use these libraries to download and execute commands or other scripts as well as perform various malicious behaviors.

Supported Platforms
ESXi Linux macOS Windows
Created

April 29, 2026

Last Updated

April 29, 2026

STIX Data
{'created': '2020-03-09T14:38:24.334Z',
 'created_by_ref': 'identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5',
 'description': 'Adversaries may abuse Python commands and scripts for '
                'execution. Python is a very popular scripting/programming '
                'language, with capabilities to perform many functions. Python '
                'can be executed interactively from the command-line (via the '
                '<code>python.exe</code> interpreter) or via scripts (.py) '
                'that can be written and distributed to different systems. '
                'Python code can also be compiled into binary '
                'executables.(Citation: Zscaler APT31 Covid-19 October 2020)\n'
                '\n'
                'Python comes with many built-in packages to interact with the '
                'underlying system, such as file operations and device I/O. '
                'Adversaries can use these libraries to download and execute '
                'commands or other scripts as well as perform various '
                'malicious behaviors.',
 'external_references': [{'external_id': 'T1059.006',
                          'source_name': 'mitre-attack',
                          'url': 'https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/006'},
                         {'description': 'Singh, S. and Antil, S. (2020, '
                                         'October 27). APT-31 Leverages '
                                         'COVID-19 Vaccine Theme and Abuses '
                                         'Legitimate Online Services. '
                                         'Retrieved March 24, 2021.',
                          'source_name': 'Zscaler APT31 Covid-19 October 2020',
                          'url': 'https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/apt-31-leverages-covid-19-vaccine-theme-and-abuses-legitimate-online'}],
 'id': 'attack-pattern--cc3502b5-30cc-4473-ad48-42d51a6ef6d1',
 'kill_chain_phases': [{'kill_chain_name': 'mitre-attack',
                        'phase_name': 'execution'}],
 'modified': '2025-10-24T17:49:23.660Z',
 'name': 'Python',
 'object_marking_refs': ['marking-definition--fa42a846-8d90-4e51-bc29-71d5b4802168'],
 'revoked': False,
 'spec_version': '2.1',
 'type': 'attack-pattern',
 'x_mitre_attack_spec_version': '3.2.0',
 'x_mitre_deprecated': False,
 'x_mitre_detection': '',
 'x_mitre_domains': ['enterprise-attack'],
 'x_mitre_is_subtechnique': True,
 'x_mitre_modified_by_ref': 'identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5',
 'x_mitre_platforms': ['ESXi', 'Linux', 'macOS', 'Windows'],
 'x_mitre_remote_support': False,
 'x_mitre_version': '1.1'}
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