APT39
threat actorIRalso known as
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
ATT&CK
APT39 · Chafer · ITG07 · Remix Kitten
MISP
APT39 · Burgundy Sandstorm · CINDER ION · COBALT HICKMAN · Chafer · ITG07 · REMIX KITTEN · Radio Serpens · TA454
APT39 was created to bring together previous activities and methods used by this actor, and its activities largely align with a group publicly referred to as "Chafer." However, there are differences in what has been publicly reported due to the variances in how organizations track activity. APT39 primarily leverages the SEAWEED and CACHEMONEY backdoors along with a specific variant of the POWBAT backdoor. While APT39's targeting scope is global, its activities are concentrated in the Middle East. APT39 has prioritized the telecommunications sector, with additional targeting of the travel industry and IT firms that support it and the high-tech industry.
resolved ATT&CK groups
Threat groups associated with this.
techniques used (53)
ATT&CK techniques this enables or maps to.
software used (11)
Malware and tools associated with this.
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2019/01/apt39-iranian-cyber-espionage-group-focused-on-personal-information.html
- https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/chafer-latest-attacks-reveal-heightened-ambitions
- https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-python-based-payload-mechaflounder-used-by-chafer/
- https://securelist.com/chafer-used-remexi-malware/89538/
- https://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/iran-based-attackers-use-back-door-threats-spy-middle-eastern-targets
- https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0087/
- https://go.crowdstrike.com/rs/281-OBQ-266/images/Report2020CrowdStrikeGlobalThreatReport.pdf
- https://www.secureworks.com/research/threat-profiles/cobalt-hickman