We curate threat intelligence to provide situational awareness and actionable insights
Threat Identifier Detections
Atomic detections that serve as the foundation of our detection framework.
Threat Scenario Detections
Risk, pattern, and sequence-based detections utilizing the outputs of Threat Identifiers as a means of identifying actual threats.
Reports Hot Off the Forge
• Threat News Reports
• Trending Threat Reports
• ResearchArticles
Forge Report: First Half Threat Trends of 2024
Featured Threat Reports
All Threat Reports
IceApple Post-Exploitation Toolset
CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch team discovered the IceApple post-exploitation toolset in late 2021. Mainly targeting Microsoft Exchange servers, IceApple can affect any IIS web application. With at least 18 in-memory modules, it is designed for long-term espionage and may be linked to Chinese state-sponsored actors. The toolset facilitates credential harvesting, reconnaissance, and data exfiltration, with attackers revisiting networks regularly to maintain access. Organizations are advised to keep web applications updated and patched to defend against IceApple.
Linux Backdoor, BPFDoor
BPFDoor is an evasive Linux backdoor utilized by Chinese Red Menshen threat actors, ideal for espionage and persistent attacks. Researched by Kevin Beaumont, PwC, and the Sandfly Security Team, BPFDoor uses a Berkeley Packet Filter sniffer for stealthy network monitoring and packet sending. It operates at the network layer, bypassing firewall rules without needing open ports. The malware, requiring root permissions for execution, is set up as an in-memory implant with persistence through scripts or scheduled tasks. Attackers control the implant by modifying firewall configurations and using a "magic" password. Targets include education, government, logistics, and telecommunication sectors in Asia and the Middle East.
Ransomware Forces Closure of Lincoln College
After 157 years, Lincoln College in Illinois will close on May 13th, 2022, due to financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and a ransomware attack in December 2021. The attack disrupted admissions and access to institutional data, making it impossible to sustain operations. No personal information was exposed.
Quantum Ransomware Analyzed by Cybereason
Cybereason analyzes Quantum ransomware, a rebrand of Mount Locker, Astro Locker, and Xing Locker. The ransomware group uses IcedID malware for initial infection, with rapid attacks leading to a Time-to-Ransom under 4 hours. Quantum follows a double extortion model, leaking data if victims don't respond within 72 hours.
Windows Event Logs Abused for Malware
In February 2022, Kaspersky uncovered a stealthy malware campaign using Windows event logs for concealment. The attack, starting in September 2021, involved tools like Cobalt Strike and Silent Break, injecting malware into system processes and hiding shellcode in event logs for persistence.
National Emergency Declared in Costa Rica
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves declared a national emergency on May 8th, 2022, following Conti ransomware attacks on multiple government agencies. The attacks resulted in a 672 GB data leak, with 97% of the stolen data already exposed. The attacks are aimed at financial gain, with threats of more severe attacks.
About the Forge & Threat Reports
Our mission is to assess the operational behaviors of all threats to provide the community, and our customers, with actionable information and enterprise-ready detections in order to defend themselves in an ever- changing threat landscape.
Intelligence Levels for Threat Reports
Tactical
Detectable threat behaviors for response with threat scenarios or threat identifiers.
Strategic
General information security news, for awareness.
Whitepapers
The World's Best SOC Teams Use Anvilogic
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.png)
Build Detections You Want, Where You Want
