Threat Actors Database

Worok is a cyber espionage group, mostly targeting Central Asia. The group toolset includes a C++ loader named CLRLoad, a PowerShell backdoor named PowHeartBeat, and a C# loader named PNGLoad.

First disclosed in 2023, the Sandman APT is likely associated with suspected China-based threat clusters known for using the KEYPLUG backdoor, specifically STORM-0866/Red Dev 40. Sandman is tracked as a distinct cluster, pending additional conclusive information. A notable characteristic is its use of the LuaDream backdoor. LuaDream is based on the Lua platform, a relatively rare occurrence in the cyberespionage domain, historically associated with APTs considered Western or Western-aligned.

UNC2565 is a threat group that has used the GOOTLOADER downloader to deliver Cobalt Strike BEACON. These intrusions have stemmed from victims accessing malicious websites that use SEO techniques to improve Google search rankings. After obtaining a foothold in the environment, UNC2565 has conducted reconnaissance and credential harvesting activity using common tools such as BLOODHOUND and KERBEROAST. UNC2565's motivations are currently unknown but overlaps with activity that has led to SODINOKIBI ransomware. This suggests that the threat group may be financially motivated.

Desorden (Disorder in Spanish, previously known as ChaosCC), is a financially motivated hacker group. The group first emerged under the new name Desorden in September 2021, on Raidforums. Today the group maintains users under that name on several popular English-speaking hacking forums, where they share their attacks and ransom demands, and offer databases for sale. The group gained an excellent reputation among the cybercriminal communities due to their successful operations and the unique data that they share and offer for sale.

DUNGEON SPIDER is a criminal group operating the ransomware most commonly known as Locky, which has been active since February 2016 and was last observed in late 2017. Locky is a ransomware tool that encrypts files using a combination of cryptographic algorithms: RSA with a key size of 2,048 bits, and AES with a key size of 128 bits. Locky targets a large number of file extensions and is able to encrypt data on shared network drives. In an attempt to further impact victims and prevent file recovery, Locky deletes all of the Shadow Volume Copies on the machine. DUNGEON SPIDER primarily relies on broad spam campaigns with malicious attachments for distribution. Locky is the community/industry name associated with this actor.

Team-Xecuter is a hacking group led by Gary Bowser, also known as GaryOPA. They were involved in a piracy conspiracy against Nintendo, creating and selling illegal circumvention devices that allowed users to hack video game consoles for playing pirated games. Gary Bowser has admitted his participation in this activity and is facing legal consequences.

CoralRaider is a financially motivated threat actor of Vietnamese origin, targeting victims in Asian and Southeast Asian countries since at least 2023. They use the RotBot loader family and XClient stealer to steal victim information, with hardcoded Vietnamese words in their payloads. CoralRaider operates from Hanoi, Vietnam, and uses a Telegram bot as a C2 channel for their malicious campaigns. Their activities include system reconnaissance, data exfiltration, and targeting victims in multiple countries in the region.

RUBYCARP is a financially-motivated threat actor group likely based in Romania, with a history of at least 10 years of activity. They operate a botnet using public exploits and brute force attacks, communicating via public and private IRC networks. RUBYCARP targets vulnerabilities in frameworks like Laravel and WordPress, as well as conducting phishing operations to steal financial assets. They use a variety of tools, including the Perl Shellbot, for post-exploitation activities and have a diverse set of illicit income streams.

GambleForce is a threat actor specializing in SQL injection attacks. They have targeted over 20 websites in various sectors across multiple countries, compromising six companies. GambleForce utilizes publicly available pentesting tools and has been active since mid-September 2023.

GREF is a China-aligned APT group that has been active since at least March 2017. They are known for using custom backdoors, loaders, and ancillary tools in their targeted attacks. Recently, they have been attributed to two active Android campaigns that distribute the BadBazaar malware through malicious apps on official and alternative app stores. GREF has targeted Android users, particularly Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic minorities outside of China, using trojanized versions of popular messaging apps like Signal and Telegram.

HomeLand Justice is an Iranian state-sponsored cyber threat group that has been active since at least May 2021. They have targeted various organizations, including a well-known telecommunication company and the Albanian Parliament. The group engaged in information operations and messaging campaigns to amplify the impact of their attacks.

UAC-0099 is a threat actor that has been active since at least May 2023, targeting Ukrainian entities. They have been observed using a known WinRAR vulnerability to carry out attacks, indicating a level of sophistication. The actor relies on PowerShell and the creation of scheduled tasks to execute malicious VBS files for initial infection. Monitoring and limiting the functionality of these components can help mitigate the risk of UAC-0099 attacks.

Gray Sandstorm is an Iran-linked threat actor that has been active since at least 2012. They have targeted defense technology companies, maritime transportation companies, and Persian Gulf ports of entry. Their primary method of attack is password spraying, and they have been observed using tools like o365spray. They have a specific focus on US and Israeli targets and are likely operating in support of Iranian interests.

ThreatSec is a hacktivist group that has targeted various organizations, including internet service providers in Gaza. They claim to fight for the rights and freedom of the oppressed and do not prioritize monetary gain. The group is part of the "Five Families" consortium, which includes other hacktivist groups such as GhostSec and Stormous. ThreatSec has been involved in cyberattacks, data breaches, and ransomware activities.

APT-C-60

A group monitored as REF2924 by Elastic Security Labs is wielding novel data-stealing malware — an HTTP listener written in C# dubbed Naplistener by the researchers — in attacks against victims operating in southern and southeast Asia.According to a blog post by Elastic senior security research engineer Remco Sprooten, in that region of the world, network-based detection and prevention technologies are the de facto method for securing many environments.

Guacamaya has conducted multiple hack and leak campaigns against military and police agencies and mining companies across Latin America, which they believe have played a role in the region’s environmental degradation and repression of native populations.

FIN11 is a well-established financial crime group that has recently focused its operations on ransomware and extortion. The group has been active since 2017 and has been tracked under UNC902 and later on as TEMP.Warlok. In some ways, FIN11 is reminiscent of APT1; they are notable not for their sophistication, but for their sheer volume of activity.(FireEye) Mandiant has also responded to numerous FIN11 intrusions, but we’ve only observed the group successfully monetize access in few instances. This could suggest that the actors cast a wide net during their phishing operations, then choose which victims to further exploit based on characteristics such as sector, geolocation or perceived security posture. Recently, FIN11 has deployed CLOP ransomware and threatened to publish exfiltrated data to pressure victims into paying ransom demands. The group’s shifting monetization methods—from point-of-sale (POS) malware in 2018, to ransomware in 2019, and hybrid extortion in 2020—is part of a larger trend in which criminal actors have increasingly focused on post-compromise ransomware deployment and data theft extortion. Notably, FIN11 includes a subset of the activity security researchers call TA505, Graceful Spider, Gold Evergreen, but we do not attribute TA505’s early operations to FIN11 and caution against using the names interchangeably. Attribution of both historic TA505 activity and more recent FIN11 activity is complicated by the actors’ use of criminal service providers. Like most financially motivated actors, FIN11 doesn’t operate in a vacuum. We believe that the group has used services that provide anonymous domain registration, bulletproof hosting, code signing certificates, and private or semi-private malware. Outsourcing work to these criminal service providers likely enables FIN11 to increase the scale and sophistication of their operations.

KelvinSecurity is a hacker group that has been active since at least 2015. They are known for their hacktivist and black hat activities, targeting public and private organizations globally. The group sells and leaks databases, documents, and access belonging to their victims, often on the dark web or their own platforms. They have been involved in attacks against various sectors, including telecommunications, political parties, and healthcare.

UserSec is a pro-Russian hacking group that has been active since at least 2022. The group is known for its DDoS attacks and has collaborated with other pro-Russian hacking groups. In May 2023, UserSec announced a cyber campaign targeting NATO member states and joined forces with KillNet to launch attacks against NATO.