7777-Botnet Infection Vectors

In October 2023, the 7777-Botnet was first discussed in a writeup titled, The Curious Case of the 7777-Botnet. The author, supported by other researchers, describes a ~10,000 node botnet that’s purpose is to brute-force Microsoft Azure user credentials. It employs Read More …

New TTPs observed in Mint Sandstorm campaign targeting high-profile individuals at universities and research orgs

Since November 2023, Microsoft has observed a distinct subset of Mint Sandstorm (PHOSPHORUS) targeting high-profile individuals working on Middle Eastern affairs at universities and research organizations in Belgium, France, Gaza, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In this Read More …

Hackers target UK in huge cyber attack ‘in response to airstrikes in Yemen’

Hackers say they launched a massive cyber attack against the UK in response to airstrikes in Yemen. Anonymous Sudan said Friday’s raid on an internet company was also because Britain had shown “support” for Israel. In a statement on messaging Read More …

Seedworm: Iranian Hackers Target Telecoms Organisations in North and East Africa

Iranian espionage group Seedworm (aka Muddywater) has been targeting organizations operating in the telecommunications sector in Egypt, Sudan, and Tanzania. Seedworm has been active since at least 2017, and has targeted organizations in many countries, though it is most strongly Read More …

Israeli-linked hacker group behind major cyber-attack on Iran’s petrol stations

An Israeli-linked hacker group claims to have carried out a major cyber-attack on Iranian petrol stations, knocking 70 per cent of them offline on Monday. Predatory Sparrow, or “Gonjeshke Darande” in Persian, said it launched the “controlled” attack in response Read More …

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Exploiting JetBrains TeamCity CVE Globally

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and partners assess Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) cyber actors – also known as Advanced Persistent Threat 29 (APT 29), the Dukes, CozyBear, and NOBELIUM/Midnight Blizzard – are exploiting CVE-2023-42793 a at a Read More …

Russian diplomat accuses West of patronizing Ukrainian IT army that commits cybercrime

The US-led West supervises Ukraine’s so-called IT army that may be responsible for cybercrime, Russia’s representative Irina Tyazhlova said on Monday. Addressing a meeting of the UN Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of information Read More …

U.S., South Korea, Japan to step up actions on North Korea cyber threats

The United States, South Korea and Japan agreed new initiatives on Saturday to respond to North Korea’s threats in cyberspace, including cryptocurrency abuses and space launches, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. The three countries’ national security advisers Read More …

Russian FSB cyber actor Star Blizzard continues worldwide spear-phishing campaigns

The Russia-based actor Star Blizzard (formerly known as SEABORGIUM, also known as Callisto Group/TA446/COLDRIVER/TAG-53/BlueCharlie) continues to successfully use spear-phishing attacks against targeted organisations and individuals in the UK, and other geographical areas of interest, for information-gathering activity. The UK National Read More …

Star Blizzard increases sophistication and evasion in ongoing attacks

Microsoft Threat Intelligence continues to track and disrupt malicious activity attributed to a Russian state-sponsored actor we track as Star Blizzard (formerly SEABORGIUM, also known as COLDRIVER and Callisto Group). Star Blizzard has improved their detection evasion capabilities since 2022 Read More …