What We Do
How We Do
Resources
Company
Partners
Get Started
Security advisories

The Potential for Iranian Cyber Response

January 8, 2020 | 2 MINS READ

Speak With A Security Expert Now

TALK TO AN EXPERT

The Threat

On January 4th, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security issued an official summary of the escalation and threats to the United States following the targeted US airstrike that killed the Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani on January 2nd, 2020 [1]. Iranian leadership has promised retaliation for the strike which may take the form of both physical and cyber operations. Historically, suspected Iranian APT groups have targeted both governments and private businesses [2]. There is the possibility that organizations previously compromised by Iranian APT groups will be targeted with destructive malware, as past unidentified compromises would allow for fast retaliatory actions. eSentire has not observed any increase in attacks linked to this topic across its customer base.

What we're doing about it

What you should do about it

Additional information

Suspected APT Groups Linked to Iran

APT Group Suspected APT Groups Linked to Iran TTPs
APT33

Aviation, Energy

https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0064/
APT34

Financial, Government, Energy, Chemical, Telecommunications

https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0049/
APT35

Energy, Government, Technology

(primarily targeting middle eastern companies/governments)

https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0059/
APT39

Telecommunications, Travel

(Focus on information gathering)

https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0087/
MuddyWater

Telecommunications, Government, Oil

https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0069/

References

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/with-trumps-approval-pentagon-launched-cyber-strikes-against-iran/2019/06/22/250d3740-950d-11e9-b570-6416efdc0803_story.html

[2] https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-006a

[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/defense-secretary-says-iran-and-its-proxies-may-be-planning-fresh-attacks-on-us-personnel-in-iraq/2020/01/02/53b63f00-2d89-11ea-bcb3-ac6482c4a92f_story.html

[4] https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/shamoon-attackers-employ-new-tool-kit-to-wipe-infected-systems/

[5] https://threatpost.com/hackers-deface-u-s-gov-website-with-pro-iran-messages/151559/

[6] https://twitter.com/cyberwar_15/status/1214530559558352896

View Most Recent Advisories