Threat Actors Database

The threat actors compromised the update server of a remote support solutions provider to deliver a remote access tool called 9002 RAT to their targets of interest through the update process. They carried this out by first stealing the company’s certificate then using it to sign the malware. They also configured the update server to only deliver malicious files if the client is located in the range of IP addresses of their target organisations.

What sets Urpage attacks apart is its targeting of InPage, a word processor for Urdu and Arabic languages. However, its Delphi backdoor component, which it has in common with Confucius and Patchwork, and its apparent use of Bahamut-like malware, is what makes it more intriguing as it connects Urpage to these other known threats. Trend Micro covered the Delphi component in the context of the Confucius and Patchwork connection. They mentioned Urpage as a third unnamed threat actor connected to the two.

Mustard Tempest is a threat actor that primarily uses malvertising as their main technique to gain access to and profile networks. They deploy FakeUpdates, disguised as browser updates or software packages, to lure targets into downloading a ZIP file containing a JavaScript file. Once executed, the JavaScript framework acts as a loader for other malware campaigns, often Cobalt Strike payloads. Mustard Tempest has been associated with the cybercrime syndicate Mustard Tempest, also known as EvilCorp, and has been involved in ransomware attacks using payloads such as WastedLocker, PhoenixLocker, and Macaw.

Prolific Puma provides an underground link shortening service to criminals. Infoblox states that during analysis, no legitimate content was observed being served through their shortener. For operation they use a registered domain generation algorithm (RDGA), based upon which they registered between 35k-75k domain names.

Bohrium is an Iranian threat actor that has been involved in spear-phishing operations targeting organizations in the US, Middle East, and India. They often create fake social media profiles, particularly posing as recruiters, to trick victims into running malware on their computers. Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit has taken legal action and seized 41 domains used by Bohrium to disrupt their activities. The group has shown a particular interest in sectors such as technology, transportation, government, and education.

MirrorFace is a Chinese-speaking advanced persistent threat group that has been targeting high-value organizations in Japan, including media, government, diplomatic, and political entities. They have been conducting spear-phishing campaigns, utilizing malware such as LODEINFO and MirrorStealer to steal credentials and exfiltrate sensitive data. While there is speculation about their connection to APT10, ESET currently track them as a separate entity.

VulzSec, also known as VulzSecTeam, is a hacktivist group that has been involved in various cyber-attacks. They have targeted government websites in retaliation for issues such as police brutality and the treatment of Indian Muslims. The group has been involved in campaigns like OpIndia2.0, where they planned to launch DDoS attacks on Indian government websites.

DriftingCloud is a persistent threat actor known for targeting various industries and locations. They are skilled at developing or acquiring zero-day exploits to gain unauthorized access to target networks. Compromising gateway devices is a common tactic used by DriftingCloud, making network monitoring solutions crucial for detecting their attacks.

FireEye has identified APT35 operations dating back to 2014. APT35, also known as the Newscaster Team, is a threat group sponsored by the Iranian government that conducts long term, resource-intensive operations to collect strategic intelligence. APT35 typically targets U.S. and the Middle Eastern military, diplomatic and government personnel, organizations in the media, energy and defense industrial base (DIB), and engineering, business services and telecommunications sectors.

The Shadow Brokers (TSB) is a hacker group who first appeared in the summer of 2016. They published several leaks containing hacking tools from the National Security Agency (NSA, including several zero-day exploits.[1] Specifically, these exploits and vulnerabilities targeted enterprise firewalls, antivirus software, and Microsoft products. The Shadow Brokers originally attributed the leaks to the Equation Group threat actor, who have been tied to the NSA's Tailored Access Operations unit.

Check Point Research discovered a new campaign against the Mongolian public sector, which takes advantage of the current Coronavirus scare, in order to deliver a previously unknown malware implant to the target. A closer look at this campaign allowed us to tie it to other operations which were carried out by the same anonymous group, dating back to at least 2016. Over the years, these operations targeted different sectors in multiple countries, such as Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus.

State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection of Ukraine spotted a new wave of cyber attacks aimed at gaining access to users’ Telegram accounts. The Ukrainian CERT attributes the hacking campaign to threat actors tracked as UAC-0094. Threat actors are targeting Telegram users by sending Telegram messages with malicious links to the Telegram website in order to gain unauthorized access to the records and transfer a one-time code from SMS.

TraderTraitor targets blockchain companies through spear-phishing messages. The group sends these messages to employees, particularly those in system administration or software development roles, on various communication platforms, intended to gain access to these start-up and high-tech companies. TraderTraitor may be the work of operators previously responsible for APT38 activity.

El Machete is one of these threats that was first publicly disclosed and named by Kaspersky here. We’ve found that this group has continued to operate successfully, predominantly in Latin America, since 2014. All attackers simply moved to new C2 infrastructure, based largely around dynamic DNS domains, in addition to making minimal changes to the malware in order to evade signature-based detection.

MurenShark is an advanced persistent threat group that operates primarily in the Middle East, with a focus on targeting Turkey. They have shown interest in military projects, as well as research institutes and universities. This group is highly skilled in counter-analysis and reverse traceability, using sophisticated tactics to avoid detection. They utilize compromised websites as file servers and command and control servers, and have been known to use attack tools like NiceRender for phishing purposes.

AppMilad is an Iranian hacking group that has been identified as the source of a spyware campaign called RatMilad. This spyware is designed to silently infiltrate victims' devices and gather personal and corporate information, including private communications and photos. The group has been distributing the spyware through fake apps and targeting primarily Middle Eastern enterprises.

In July 2018, Unit 42 analyzed a targeted attack using a novel file type against at least one government agency in the Middle East. It was carried out by a previously unpublished threat group we track as DarkHydrus. Based on our telemetry, we were able to uncover additional artifacts leading us to believe this adversary group has been in operation with their current playbook since early 2016. This attack diverged from previous attacks we observed from this group as it involved spear-phishing emails sent to targeted organizations with password protected RAR archive attachments that contained malicious Excel Web Query files (.iqy).

TEMP_Heretic is a threat actor that has been observed engaging in targeted spear-phishing campaigns. They exploit vulnerabilities in email platforms, such as Zimbra, to exfiltrate emails from government, military, and media organizations. They use multiple outlook.com email addresses and manually craft content for each email before sending it.

WeedSec is a threat actor group that recently targeted the online learning and course management platform Moodle. They posted sample databases of Moodle on their Telegram channel, which is widely used by educational institutions and workplaces.

PerSwaysion is a threat actor known for conducting phishing campaigns targeting high-level executives. They have been active since at least August 2019 and are believed to be based in Vietnam. PerSwaysion has recently updated their techniques, using more direct phishing methods and leveraging Microsoft 365 to steal credentials.