What Is an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)?
An advanced persistent threat (APT) is a covert cyber attack on a computer network An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) refers to a complex and covert cyber-attack executed by highly skilled threat actors, usually targeting high-profile organizations. APTs are often backed by nation-states or criminal organizations and can remain undetected within the victim's network for extended periods, ranging from months to years.
The primary objective of an APT attack is to infiltrate a network without authorization and maintain persistent access, while collecting valuable data or compromising vital systems. Organizations and governments face significant risks from these attacks, as they can result in considerable losses, including financial damage, tarnished reputations, and stolen sensitive data.
Who would launch an APT attack?
Numerous entities--large and small, public sector and private--can benefit from a successful advanced persistent threat. Many suspect that governments and nation states have used APT attacks to disrupt specific military or intelligence operations. Examples include the Titan Rain, Ghostnet, Stuxnet attacks and others. In addition, smaller groups are using simpler tools, such as social engineering, to gain access and steal intellectual property.
Why would someone launch an APT?
A successful advanced persistent threat can be extremely effective and beneficial to the attacker. For nation states, there are significant political motivations, such as military intelligence. For smaller groups, APTs can lead to significant competitive advantages or lucrative payouts.
Unique Characteristics of Advanced Persistent Threats
APTs are distinguished from other cyber threats by their unique characteristics, which include:
- High level of sophistication: APTs are characterized by their use of advanced tools, tactics, and techniques that are designed to evade detection and bypass security measures. This often involves custom malware, zero-day exploits, and advanced social engineering tactics.
- Targeted attacks: APTs are usually aimed at specific organizations, industries, or countries. The attackers carefully select their targets based on strategic objectives, such as stealing intellectual property, compromising critical infrastructure, or gaining a competitive advantage.
- State sponsorship or well-funded organizations: APTs are often attributed to nation-states or well-funded criminal organizations that have the resources, expertise, and motivation to carry out these advanced attacks.
- Long-term approach: APTs are typically designed for long-term operations, with the attackers focusing on maintaining a persistent presence within the target network. This allows them to gather intelligence, exfiltrate data, or cause damage over an extended period.
- Multi-stage and multi-vector: APTs usually involve multi-stage attacks that progress through various phases, such as reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and execution. Attackers may use multiple vectors to achieve their objectives, including spear phishing, supply chain compromise, and watering hole attacks.
Examples of Advanced Persistent Threats Attacks
Here are some recent examples of Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks:
- SolarWinds: The SolarWinds cyberattack was a significant supply chain attack attributed to APT29 (Cozy Bear), a Russian-state-sponsored APT group. The attackers compromised the SolarWinds Orion software platform, used by thousands of organizations for IT infrastructure management. This enabled the threat actors to infiltrate the networks of multiple high-profile targets, including U.S. government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
- Hafnium: Microsoft discovered a Chinese-state-sponsored APT group called Hafnium, which targeted Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities to gain access to email accounts and exfiltrate sensitive data. Hafnium is known to target organizations in various sectors, including defense, healthcare, and higher education.
- UNC2452 / Nobelium: An APT group also involved in the SolarWinds attack, continued its cyber-espionage campaign targeting various organizations. In May 2021, Microsoft disclosed that Nobelium had launched a new wave of attacks using the USAID email system to distribute malicious phishing emails.
- APT41: A Chinese-state-sponsored APT group which targeted various industries worldwide, including healthcare, telecommunications, and higher education. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) charged five Chinese nationals for their involvement in APT41 activities, including unauthorized access to protected computers and stealing sensitive information.
How can we help in your fight against APT
When organizations detect gaps in their security, they intuitively deploy a standalone product to fill that void. A solution filled with standalone products, however, will continue to have inherent gaps.
To avoid these gaps in security, organizations need to take a holistic approach. This requires a multilayered, integrated security solution. Deploying a portfolio of products that can seamlessly work together is the best way to enhance security.
We work with strategic vendors like Trellix, Trend Micro, Checkpoint, Palo Alto to name a few, who can help in protection against APT using a multi-layered approach.
To know more about APT campaigns:
https://www.mandiant.com/resources/insights/apt-groups
