Dec 28, 2022Ravie LakshmananMalware / Windows Security Microsoft's decision to block Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros by default for Office files downloaded from the internet has led many threat actors to improvise their attack chains in recent months. Now according to Cisco Talos, advanced persistent threat (APT) actors and commodity malware families alike are … [Read more...] about APT Hackers Turn to Malicious Excel Add-ins as Initial Intrusion Vector
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Bitter APT Hackers Add Bangladesh to Their List of Targets in South Asia
An espionage-focused threat actor known for targeting China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia has expanded to set its sights on Bangladeshi government organizations as part of an ongoing campaign that commenced in August 2021. Cybersecurity firm Cisco Talos attributed the activity with moderate confidence to a hacking group dubbed the Bitter APT based on overlaps in the … [Read more...] about Bitter APT Hackers Add Bangladesh to Their List of Targets in South Asia
U.S. Warns of APT Hackers Targeting ICS/SCADA Systems with Specialized Malware
The U.S. government on Wednesday warned of nation-state actors deploying specialized malware to maintain access to industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) devices. "The APT actors have developed custom-made tools for targeting ICS/SCADA devices," multiple U.S. agencies said in an alert. "The tools enable them to scan for, … [Read more...] about U.S. Warns of APT Hackers Targeting ICS/SCADA Systems with Specialized Malware
Chinese APT Hackers Used Log4Shell Exploit to Target Academic Institution
A never-before-seen China-based targeted intrusion adversary dubbed Aquatic Panda has been observed leveraging critical flaws in the Apache Log4j logging library as an access vector to perform various post-exploitation operations, including reconnaissance and credential harvesting on targeted systems. Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said the infiltration, which was ultimately … [Read more...] about Chinese APT Hackers Used Log4Shell Exploit to Target Academic Institution
Russian Turla APT Group Deploying New Backdoor on Targeted Systems
State-sponsored hackers affiliated with Russia are behind a new series of intrusions using a previously undocumented implant to compromise systems in the U.S., Germany, and Afghanistan. Cisco Talos attributed the attacks to the Turla advanced persistent threat (APT) group, coining the malware "TinyTurla" for its limited functionality and efficient coding style that allows it to … [Read more...] about Russian Turla APT Group Deploying New Backdoor on Targeted Systems
APT Hackers Distributed Android Trojan via Syrian e-Government Portal
An advanced persistent threat (APT) actor has been tracked in a new campaign deploying Android malware via the Syrian e-Government Web Portal, indicating an upgraded arsenal designed to compromise victims. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the group has been publicly observed using malicious Android applications as part of its attacks," Trend Micro … [Read more...] about APT Hackers Distributed Android Trojan via Syrian e-Government Portal
WildPressure APT Emerges With New Malware Targeting Windows and macOS
A malicious campaign that has set its sights on industrial-related entities in the Middle East since 2019 has resurfaced with an upgraded malware toolset to strike both Windows and macOS operating systems, symbolizing an expansion in both its targets and its strategy around distributing threats. Russian cybersecurity firm attributed the attacks to an advanced persistent threat … [Read more...] about WildPressure APT Emerges With New Malware Targeting Windows and macOS
IndigoZebra APT Hacking Campaign Targets the Afghan Government
Cybersecurity researchers are warning of ongoing attacks coordinated by a suspected Chinese-speaking threat actor targeting the Afghanistan government as part of an espionage campaign that may have had its provenance as far back as 2014. Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point Research attributed the intrusions to a hacking group tracked under the moniker "IndigoZebra," with … [Read more...] about IndigoZebra APT Hacking Campaign Targets the Afghan Government
Experts Uncover ‘Crutch’ Russian Malware Used in APT Attacks for 5 Years
Cybersecurity researchers today took the wraps off a previously undocumented backdoor and document stealer that has been deployed against specific targets from 2015 to early 2020. Codenamed "Crutch" by ESET researchers, the malware has been attributed to Turla (aka Venomous Bear or Snake), a Russia-based advanced hacker group known for its extensive attacks against governments, … [Read more...] about Experts Uncover ‘Crutch’ Russian Malware Used in APT Attacks for 5 Years
Chinese APT Hackers Target Southeast Asian Government Institutions
Cybersecurity researchers today unveiled a complex and targeted espionage attack on potential government sector victims in South East Asia that they believe was carried out by a sophisticated Chinese APT group at least since 2018. "The attack has a complex and complete arsenal of droppers, backdoors and other tools involving Chinoxy backdoor, PcShare RAT and FunnyDream backdoor … [Read more...] about Chinese APT Hackers Target Southeast Asian Government Institutions