An advanced persistent threat is a stealthy, long-term intrusion that maintains access to systems to steal data or disrupt operations.
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Advanced Persistent Threat describes a prolonged and targeted cyber intrusion where attackers maintain covert access to a network over extended periods. These intrusions often use customized malware, spear-phishing, and exploitation of specific vulnerabilities to avoid detection and sustain control. The focus is typically on intelligence collection, data theft, or strategic disruption rather than immediate financial gain.
For defenders, APTs pose significant challenges due to their stealth and adaptability, often bypassing traditional security tools. Effective defense involves continuous monitoring for unusual activity, timely patching of vulnerabilities exploited by these actors, and leveraging threat intelligence to recognize known intrusion patterns. Early identification and containment are crucial to limit damage and prevent persistent unauthorized access.
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PeckBirdy is a sophisticated JScript-based C&C framework used by China-aligned APT groups to exploit LOLBins across multiple environments, delivering advanced backdoors to target gambling industries and Asian government entities.
Trend™ Research examines the complex collaborative relationship between China-aligned APT groups via the new “Premier Pass-as-a-Service” model, exemplified by the recent activities of Earth Estries and Earth Naga.
We uncovered Charon, a new ransomware strainfamily that uses advanced APT-style techniques, including DLL sideloading, process injection, and anti-EDR capabilities, to target organizations with customized ransom demands.
We examine the past tactics used by UNC3886 to gain insight on how to best strengthen defenses against the ongoing and emerging threats of this APT group.
Trend™ Research has been tracking an active APT threat actor named Earth Lamia, targeting multiple industries in Brazil, India and Southeast Asia countries at least since 2023. The threat actor primarily exploits vulnerabilities in web applications to gain access to targeted organizations.
An APT group dubbed Earth Kurma is actively targeting government and telecommunications organizations in Southeast Asia using advanced malware, rootkits, and trusted cloud services to conduct cyberespionage.
The cyberespionage techniques of Earth Alux, a China-linked APT group, are putting critical industries at risk. The attacks, aimed at the APAC and Latin American regions, leverage powerful tools and techniques to remain hidden while stealing sensitive data.
Trend Zero Day Initiative™ (ZDI) uncovered both state-sponsored and cybercriminal groups extensively exploiting ZDI-CAN-25373, a Windows .lnk file vulnerability that enables hidden command execution.
Our Threat Hunting team discusses Earth Preta’s latest technique, in which the APT group leverages MAVInject and Setup Factory to deploy payloads, bypass ESET antivirus, and maintain control over compromised systems.
APT group Earth Koshchei, suspected to be sponsored by the SVR, executed a large-scale rogue RDP campaign using spear-phishing emails, red team tools, and sophisticated anonymization techniques to target high-profile sectors.
Since 2023, APT group Earth Estries has aggressively targeted key industries globally with sophisticated techniques and new backdoors, like GHOSTSPIDER and MASOL RAT, for prolonged espionage operations.
Trend Micro's investigation into the recent activity of Earth Simnavaz provides new insights into the APT group’s evolving tactics and the immediate threat it poses to sectors in the Middle East.
Trend Micro's investigation into the recent activity of Earth Simnavaz provides new insights into the APT group’s evolving tactics and the immediate threat it poses to critical sectors in the UAE.
Our threat hunters discovered CVE-2024-38112, which was used as a zero-day by APT group Void Banshee, to access and execute files through the disabled Internet Explorer using MSHTML. We promptly identified and reported this zero-day vulnerability to Microsoft, and it has been patched.
Since early 2022, we have been monitoring an APT campaign that targets several government entities worldwide, with a strong focus in Southeast Asia, but also seen targeting Europe, America, and Africa.
In addition to our Water Hydra APT zero day analysis, the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) observed a DarkGate campaign which we discovered in mid-January 2024 where DarkGate operators exploited CVE-2024-21412.
The APT group Water Hydra has been exploiting the zero-day Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vulnerability (CVE-2024-21412) in its campaigns targeting financial market traders. This vulnerability, which has now been patched by Microsoft, was discovered and disclosed by the Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative.
We observed and tracked the advanced persistent threat (APT) APT34 group with a new malware variant accompanying a phishing attack comparatively similar to the SideTwist backdoor malware. Following the campaign, the group abused a fake license registration form of an African government agency to target a victim in Saudi Arabia.
We examine the campaigns of the cyberespionage group known as Turla over the years, with a special focus on the key MITRE techniques and the corresponding IDs associated with the threat actor group.
We break down a new cyberespionage campaign deployed by a cybercriminal group we named Earth Estries. Analyzing the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed, we observed overlaps with the advanced persistent threat (APT) group FamousSparrow as Earth Estries targets governments and organizations in the technology sector.