Muddying the Tracks: The State-Sponsored Shadow Behind Chaos Ransomware


Researchers at Rapid7 say that they have spotted what they believe was an Iranian intelligence cyber unit masquerading as the Chaos ransomware gang to hide a state-sponsored espionage operation.

The intrusion was spotted earlier this year, and investigators say breadcrumbs left behind give them “medium confidence” in saying it was the work of MuddyWater, which has been linked to intrusions affecting Western government and banking networks in recent months. Attackers began with a Microsoft Teams phishing campaign, which is not uncommon. They also encouraged targets to share their screens. Again, it was nothing too out of the ordinary.

Read more…
Source: Rapid7


Sign up for the Cyber Security Review Newsletter
The latest cyber security news and insights delivered right to your inbox


Related:

  • Hackers breached DHS information-sharing network

    June 30, 2026

    A key Department of Homeland Security information-sharing database was accessed by an unknown threat actor in recent weeks, potentially exposing sensitive data exchanged between federal, state, local and industry partners, according to two people familiar with the matter. DHS investigators are probing the intrusion of the Homeland Security Information Network, said both people, who spoke on ...

  • Apple releases security patches for iOS, MacOS Tahoe, Safari

    June 30, 2026

    Apple has released security updates for more than two dozen security vulnerabilities across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The updates for iOS/iPadOS, MacOS Tahoe, and Safari were issued after testing on iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 betas. What stands out in the update is that a lot of the vulnerabilities were found in WebKit, the browser engine that powers Safari ...

  • ToddyCat: your hidden email assistant. Part 2

    June 30, 2026

    Kaspersky continue to share details on the malicious techniques and toolsets used by the ToddyCat APT group. In the first part of this report, they examined the group’s attacks aimed at stealing data from browsers, as well as from local and cloud email services. The methods used in that campaign indicated that ToddyCat was attempting ...

  • Japan: Over 14 million login credentials leaked from six ISPs in major data breach

    June 29, 2026

    A data breach that has potentially exposed the email and password combinations for over 14 million customers across six internet service providers (ISPs) has been disclosed by Japanese telecoms provider KDDI Corporation. According to the company, hackers exploited a vulnerability in a third-party software to access the database of credentials. KDDI said that it immediately blocked ...

  • ONResolver RAT Abuses TON Blockchain to Target Japan’s Hotel Industry

    June 29, 2026

    In late May 2026, suspicious emails were identified being sent to Japanese partner companies of Booking.com, with the subject line “Important: Guest Stay Review Request” (重要:ゲスト滞在レビュー依頼). In this attack, a zip file was downloaded by accessing a hyperlink to a suspicious web site, and the infection began when the user clicked a shortcut link file ...

  • Nissan says Oracle PeopleSoft break-in may have spilled payroll records, SSNs

    June 29, 2026

    Nissan has joined the growing list of Oracle customers cleaning up after a cyberattack, warning employees that payroll records, bank details, Social Security numbers, and other personal data may have been stolen. In a filing submitted to the California Attorney General on Friday, Nissan Americas said Oracle had informed it of “a cyber event” involving the personnel records ...