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.
• Threat News Reports
• Trending Threat Reports
• ResearchArticles
Forge Report: First Half Threat Trends of 2024
Featured Threat Reports
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Cactus Ransomware Uses SSH Tunnels and icacls for Persistent Attacks
Trellix's analysis reveals Cactus ransomware's exploitation of SSH tunnels and icacls for persistent attacks. Since March 2023, Cactus has targeted over 100 entities globally. It uses vulnerabilities in Ivanti MobileIron Sentry for initial access, establishes SSH backdoors, and employs various non-native tools for intrusion and data exfiltration before encrypting files with .cts extension.
Reemergence of GhostEmperor with New EDR Evasion Techniques
Sygnia's investigation uncovers the reemergence of GhostEmperor, a China-affiliated threat group, employing advanced EDR evasion techniques and multi-stage malware. Targeting government and telecom sectors in Southeast Asia, GhostEmperor uses the Demodex rootkit and sophisticated obfuscation methods to avoid detection.
NATO Faces Increasing Cyber Attacks Amidst Geopolitical Tensions
Mandiant's report highlights escalating cyber threats to NATO amidst geopolitical tensions. State-sponsored groups like Russia's APT29 and Chinese actors engage in cyber espionage, while hacktivist groups increase disruptive attacks. The report underscores the dual threats of espionage and destructive cyberattacks targeting NATO's critical infrastructure.
HappyDoor Malware's Continuous Development by Kimsuky
ASEC's report reveals the ongoing evolution of HappyDoor malware by the North Korean group Kimsuky. First identified in 2021, the malware now features advanced info-stealing and backdoor capabilities. Distributed via spear-phishing, HappyDoor encrypts and exfiltrates data, using tools like ngrok and Chrome Remote Desktop for persistent access.
Red Canary: Thwarts Ransomware From Early Signs of Malicious PowerShell
In June 2024, Red Canary prevented a ransomware attack on a major city hospital by detecting malicious PowerShell activity. The attack, originating from a webshell on a Microsoft Exchange server, was stopped before it could impact patient care. Key steps included monitoring for suspicious PowerShell activity and preventing the disabling of Windows Defender.
Cybersecurity Agencies Reveal Tactics of a Prolific Chinese Hacking Group
The ASD’s ACSC and CISA reveal the activities of APT40, a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group targeting global networks. Known for exploiting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, APT40 uses compromised devices to evade detection and exfiltrate sensitive data. Defensive measures include applying security patches, deploying web application firewalls, and replacing outdated networking devices.
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Tactical
Detectable threat behaviors for response with threat scenarios or threat identifiers.
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General information security news, for awareness.