Anvilogic Forge Threat Research Reports
Here you can find an accumulation of trending threats published weekly by the Anvilogic team.
We curate threat intelligence to provide situational awareness and actionable insights
Atomic detections that serve as the foundation of our detection framework.
Risk, pattern, and sequence-based detections utilizing the outputs of Threat Identifiers as a means of identifying actual threats.
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Forge Report: First Half Threat Trends of 2024
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Play Ransomware Intrusion Thwarted by Trend Micro
Trend Micro's Managed Detection and Response team successfully thwarted a Play ransomware attack exploiting the Citrix Bleed vulnerability (CVE-2023-4966). The attackers used SYSTEMBC malware and PsExec but were stopped before causing damage. Trend Micro highlights key defense strategies like patching, MFA, and network segmentation to prevent future incidents.
APT42's Cyber Tactics From Credential Theft to Election Interference
APT42, a cyberespionage group tied to the Iranian government, targets sectors like aerospace and defense through credential theft and phishing. Google TAG reports their attempts to interfere in the 2024 U.S. election, targeting political figures. Their activities highlight the group's focus on gathering sensitive information and influencing global affairs.
New Ransomware Gang, Mad Liberator and the Abuse of AnyDesk
The Mad Liberator ransomware group, discovered by Sophos, exploits AnyDesk to gain unauthorized system access. By leveraging social engineering and remote access vulnerabilities, they quickly exfiltrate data. Their tactics, focusing on speed and data theft, highlight the need for strict access controls and awareness of remote access risks.
STAC6451's Persistent Attacks on India's Exposed SQL Servers
Sophos has uncovered persistent attacks by the threat group STAC6451 on India's Microsoft SQL Servers. The attackers exploit weak passwords, deploy Mimic ransomware, and use sophisticated tactics, though their operations show some flaws. This campaign, targeting multiple sectors, underscores the need for stronger security practices in exposed database servers.
Exposed .env Files Open Doors to Widespread AWS Cloud Compromises
Unit 42 has uncovered a significant AWS cloud security breach caused by exposed .env files containing sensitive credentials. This campaign targeted over 110,000 domains, leading to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and ransom demands. The incident highlights the dangers of cloud misconfigurations and the importance of securing environment variables.
From Spear-Phishing to AI: The Evolving Threat Landscape of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
The 2024 U.S. election faces cyber threats from Iran, Russia, and China. Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center reveals that while AI plays a role, traditional cyberattacks and influence operations remain dominant. Iranian groups like Sefid Flood and Mint Sandstorm are particularly active, targeting electoral processes and public trust with increasingly sophisticated methods.
Intelligence Levels for Threat Reports
Tactical
Detectable threat behaviors for response with threat scenarios or threat identifiers.
Strategic
General information security news, for awareness.