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Operation Ghost is a sophisticated cyber espionage campaign attributed to the advanced persistent threat (APT) group known as APT29, also referred to as Cozy Bear. This campaign employs a wide range of attack techniques primarily targeting Windows environments to gain initial access, execute malicious code, maintain persistence, and exfiltrate sensitive data. The initial intrusion vector is spearphishing with malicious attachments (MITRE ATT&CK T1193), which allows the threat actor to deliver payloads that execute through various Windows mechanisms such as API calls (T1106), module loading (T1129), PowerShell scripts (T1086), and rundll32 execution (T1085). The attackers leverage scripting (T1064) and service execution (T1035) to run their code stealthily and use valid accounts (T1078) to move laterally within compromised networks. To evade detection, the campaign utilizes obfuscation techniques (T1027), including software packing (T1045) and data obfuscation (T1001), and frequently deobfuscates or decodes files during execution (T1140). Persistence is maintained through registry modifications (T1112), registry run keys or startup folders (T1060), scheduled tasks (T1053), and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) event subscriptions (T1084). The attackers perform extensive discovery activities such as file and directory enumeration (T1083), network share discovery (T1135), process discovery (T1057), system network connections discovery (T1049), and access to Windows administrative shares (T1077) to map the environment and identify valuable targets. Data collection spans local systems (T1005), network shares (T1039), and removable media (T1025). Exfiltration is conducted covertly over command and control (C2) channels (T1041), often using fallback channels (T1008) and standard application layer protocols (T1071) to blend with legitimate traffic. Connection proxies (T1090) are also employed to mask the origin of communications. The campaign is characterized by a high level of operational security and technical sophistication, with no known public exploits but a high threat level due to the actor's capabilities and objectives. The threat is perpetual and ongoing, targeting sensitive organizations for espionage purposes.

Detailed information about Operation Ghost - White Paper. Get real-time updates, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Operation Ghost - White Paper - Live Threat Intelligence - Threat Radar | OffSeq.com

Operation Ghost - White Paper

SectorJ04 Groupâ€™s Increased Activity in 2019

The SectorJ04 threat group, also known as TA505, demonstrated increased activity in 2019 involving a broad range of sophisticated attack techniques primarily targeting Windows environments. This group employs spearphishing methods, including malicious attachments (T1193) and links (T1192), often leveraging trusted relationships (T1199) to gain initial access. Once inside a network, they utilize various execution techniques such as command-line interface (T1059), PowerShell (T1086), rundll32 (T1085), scheduled tasks (T1053), scripting (T1064), service execution (T1035), and execution through API or module loading (T1106, T1129). They also exploit client-side vulnerabilities (T1203) and user execution (T1204) to facilitate payload delivery.

For defense evasion, SectorJ04 uses methods like DLL side-loading (T1073), disabling security tools (T1089), bypassing User Account Control (T1088), code signing (T1116), obfuscation (T1027), software packing (T1045), virtualization/sandbox evasion (T1497), and hiding windows (T1143). Persistence is maintained through account manipulation (T1098), new services (T1050), registry run keys/startup folders (T1060), startup items (T1165), and WMI event subscriptions (T1084). They conduct extensive discovery activities including account (T1087), file and directory (T1083), network service scanning (T1046), network share (T1135), permission groups (T1069), process (T1057), registry queries (T1012), remote system (T1018), security software (T1063), system information (T1082), network configuration (T1016), network connections (T1049), system owner/user (T1033), and system service discovery (T1007).

For lateral movement and command and control, they use remote desktop protocol (T1076), remote services (T1021), custom and standard application layer protocols (T1094, T1071), and cryptographic protocols (T1024, T1032). Data collection techniques include automated collection (T1119), local system data (T1005), and email collection (T1114). Exfiltration is performed via automated exfiltration (T1020), alternative protocols (T1048), and command and control channels (T1041), often compressing (T1002) and encrypting data (T1486) to evade detection. This comprehensive attack lifecycle demonstrates SectorJ04's capability to conduct complex, multi-stage intrusions with a focus on stealth and persistence.

Although no specific affected software versions or exploits in the wild are documented, the group's tactics align with advanced persistent threat (APT) behavior targeting enterprise environments, particularly those with Windows infrastructure. The low severity rating likely reflects the absence of a single exploitable vulnerability but rather a combination of social engineering and post-compromise techniques.

Detailed information about SectorJ04 Groupâ€™s Increased Activity in 2019 affecting misp-galaxy mitre-attack-pattern. Get real-time updates, technical details, 

Title	Severity	Type	Source	Date

Threats Tagged 'misp-galaxy:mitre-attack-pattern="execution through module load - t1129"'

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