Nation-State Actor

APT29

APT29 has had many aliases in the past years: IRON RITUAL, IRON HEMLOCK, NobleBaron, Dark Halo, StellarParticle, NOBELIUM, UNC2452, YTTRIUM, The Dukes, Cozy Bear, CozyDuke, SolarStorm, Blue Kitsune, UNC3524, Cloaked Ursa and more recently Midnight Blizzard. But who are they and how do they operate? Let’s figure this out to best protect your company from them.

Detect TTPs used by APT29

Is Your Organization Safe from APT29 Attacks?

The Origin of APT29

APT29 is believed to be affiliated with the Russian government’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), indicating state-sponsored cyber activities.

The group is known for its technical discipline, sophistication, and ability to adapt to defensive IT security tactics.

APT29 has been active since 2008, with significant operations including breaching the Pentagon’s network, compromising the Democratic National Committee servers, and conducting vulnerability scanning of public-facing IP addresses.

APT29 is believed to be responsible for the SolarWinds Compromise in 2021 and for the attack on Microsoft in January 2024.

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Targets

APT29's Targets

Countries targeted by APT29

APT29 targets government networks in Europe and NATO member countries, where it engages in cyber espionage against firms and think tanks.

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Industries Targeted by APT29

APT29 primary targets include governments, political organizations, research firms, and critical industries such as Energy, healthcare, education, finance and technology.

Industries Targeted by APT29

Demo

Attack Anatomy: SunBurst SolarWinds Attack

Check out the infographics

TTPs & Tools

APT29’s Attack Method

A shadowy figure casting a wide net over a digital landscape filled with various devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. The net symbolizes the attacker's attempts to find vulnerabilities or use phishing techniques to gain unauthorized access.

APT29 exploits vulnerabilities in public-facing applications and engages in spearphishing with malicious links or attachments to gain entry into target networks.

They have also compromised IT and managed service providers to leverage trusted relationships for broader access.

A digital ladder extending upwards from a basic user icon towards a crown symbolizing administrative privileges. This represents the attacker's efforts to gain higher-level access within the system.

The group employs techniques to bypass User Account Control (UAC) and exploit software vulnerabilities for elevated privileges.

This enables them to execute code with higher levels of access, critical for their operations' depth and stealth.

A chameleon blending into a digital background, with zeroes and ones flowing around it. This represents the attacker's ability to avoid detection by security measures, changing tactics to blend in with normal network traffic.

APT29 is adept at disabling or modifying security tools and firewall settings to remain undetected.

They use obfuscation techniques, including software packing and masquerading malicious files with legitimate names, to hide their presence and activities.

A thief with a lockpick toolkit working on a giant keyhole shaped like a login form, representing the attacker's efforts to steal user credentials to gain unauthorized access.

The group uses various methods to access and manipulate accounts and credentials, including brute force attacks and stealing credentials from browsers or through password dumping.

They manipulate cloud and email accounts to maintain access and control over resources.

A magnifying glass moving over a digital map of a network, highlighting files, folders, and network connections. This image represents the phase where attackers explore the environment to understand the structure and where valuable data resides.

APT29 conducts extensive discovery operations using tools and scripts to gather information about network configurations, domain accounts, and internal resources.

This includes enumerating remote systems, domain groups, and permission groups to identify valuable targets.

A series of interconnected nodes with a shadowy figure moving stealthily between them. This illustrates the attacker's movements within the network, seeking to gain control of additional systems or spread malware.

Using compromised credentials and manipulating account permissions, APT29 moves across networks and accesses restricted areas.

They leverage remote services, proxy techniques, and administrative accounts for seamless navigation of compromised environments.

A large vacuum sucking up files, data icons, and folders into a bag held by a shadowy figure. This image symbolizes the process of gathering valuable data from the target network.

The group targets sensitive information repositories, email accounts, and local system data for extraction.

They employ methods to stage, compress, and secure data for exfiltration, focusing on valuable intelligence and proprietary information.

A command prompt window open in front of a digital background, with malicious code being typed out. This represents the phase where attackers execute their malicious payload within the compromised system.

APT29 executes commands and payloads across compromised networks using various scripting interpreters and command-line utilities.

They utilize remote services and scheduled tasks to deploy malware and further their control within networks.

A series of files being funneled through a covert channel out of a computer to a cloud labeled with a skull, symbolizing the unauthorized transfer of data to a location controlled by the attacker.

Data is exfiltrated over encrypted channels, using methods to ensure secure transfer of stolen data out of the network.

APT29 stages data in password-protected archives and uses web protocols for data transfer, emphasizing stealth and security.

A cracked screen with a digital cityscape in chaos behind it, symbolizing the destructive impact of the cyberattack, such as service disruption, data destruction, or financial loss.

The group's activities can lead to significant data theft, espionage, and potential disruption of critical systems.

By altering domain trust settings and deploying malware that manipulates or encrypts data, APT29 undermines system integrity and availability, posing severe risks to national security and organizational operations.

Initial Access

APT29 exploits vulnerabilities in public-facing applications and engages in spearphishing with malicious links or attachments to gain entry into target networks.

They have also compromised IT and managed service providers to leverage trusted relationships for broader access.

Privilege Escalation

The group employs techniques to bypass User Account Control (UAC) and exploit software vulnerabilities for elevated privileges.

This enables them to execute code with higher levels of access, critical for their operations' depth and stealth.

Defense Evasion

APT29 is adept at disabling or modifying security tools and firewall settings to remain undetected.

They use obfuscation techniques, including software packing and masquerading malicious files with legitimate names, to hide their presence and activities.

Credential Access

The group uses various methods to access and manipulate accounts and credentials, including brute force attacks and stealing credentials from browsers or through password dumping.

They manipulate cloud and email accounts to maintain access and control over resources.

Discovery

APT29 conducts extensive discovery operations using tools and scripts to gather information about network configurations, domain accounts, and internal resources.

This includes enumerating remote systems, domain groups, and permission groups to identify valuable targets.

Lateral Movement

Using compromised credentials and manipulating account permissions, APT29 moves across networks and accesses restricted areas.

They leverage remote services, proxy techniques, and administrative accounts for seamless navigation of compromised environments.

Collection

The group targets sensitive information repositories, email accounts, and local system data for extraction.

They employ methods to stage, compress, and secure data for exfiltration, focusing on valuable intelligence and proprietary information.

Execution

APT29 executes commands and payloads across compromised networks using various scripting interpreters and command-line utilities.

They utilize remote services and scheduled tasks to deploy malware and further their control within networks.

Exfiltration

Data is exfiltrated over encrypted channels, using methods to ensure secure transfer of stolen data out of the network.

APT29 stages data in password-protected archives and uses web protocols for data transfer, emphasizing stealth and security.

Impact

The group's activities can lead to significant data theft, espionage, and potential disruption of critical systems.

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

TTPs used by APT29

TA0001: Initial Access

T1195

Supply Chain Compromise

T1566

Phishing

T1190

Exploit Public-Facing Application

T1133

External Remote Services

T1078

Valid Accounts

TA0002: Execution

T1651

Cloud Administration Command

T1204

User Execution

T1203

Exploitation for Client Execution

T1059

Command and Scripting Interpreter

T1047

Windows Management Instrumentation

TA0003: Persistence

T1505

Server Software Component

T1547

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1546

Event Triggered Execution

T1556

Modify Authentication Process

T1136

Create Account

T1098

Account Manipulation

T1078

Valid Accounts

T1053

Scheduled Task/Job

TA0004: Privilege Escalation

T1548

Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism

T1068

Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

T1547

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1546

Event Triggered Execution

T1484

Group Policy Modification

T1078

Valid Accounts

T1053

Scheduled Task/Job

T1037

Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts

TA0005: Defense Evasion

T1553

Subvert Trust Controls

T1218

System Binary Proxy Execution

T1140

Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

T1548

Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism

T1036

Masquerading

T1027

Obfuscated Files or Information

T1070

Indicator Removal

T1562

Impair Defenses

T1550

Use Alternate Authentication Material

T1556

Modify Authentication Process

T1484

Group Policy Modification

T1078

Valid Accounts

TA0006: Credential Access

T1649

Steal or Forge Authentication Certificates

T1621

Multi-Factor Authentication Request Generation

T1606

Forge Web Credentials

T1558

Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets

T1539

Steal Web Session Cookie

T1556

Modify Authentication Process

T1555

Credentials from Password Stores

T1552

Unsecured Credentials

T1110

Brute Force

T1003

OS Credential Dumping

TA0007: Discovery

T1482

Domain Trust Discovery

T1087

Account Discovery

T1083

File and Directory Discovery

T1082

System Information Discovery

T1069

Permission Groups Discovery

T1057

Process Discovery

T1016

System Network Configuration Discovery

T1018

Remote System Discovery

TA0008: Lateral Movement

T1550

Use Alternate Authentication Material

T1021

Remote Services

TA0009: Collection

T1560

Archive Collected Data

T1213

Data from Information Repositories

T1114

Email Collection

T1074

Data Staged

T1005

Data from Local System

TA0011: Command and Control

T1102

Web Service

T1573

Encrypted Channel

T1568

Dynamic Resolution

T1105

Ingress Tool Transfer

T1090

Proxy

T1071

Application Layer Protocol

T1001

Data Obfuscation

TA0010: Exfiltration

T1048

Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol

TA0040: Impact

No items found.

Platform Detections

How to Detect APT29 with Vectra AI

Azure AD Unusual Scripting Engine Usage

M365 Power Automate HTTP Flow Creation

M365 Suspicious Power Automate Flow Creation

M365 Suspicious SharePoint Operation

Privilege Anomaly: Unusual Account on Host

Privilege Anomaly: Unusual Host

View all detections

FAQs

How can organizations detect APT29's activities?

Detecting APT29 requires advanced threat detection solutions capable of identifying subtle signs of compromise. An AI-driven threat detection platform like Vectra AI can help uncover hidden patterns and malicious behaviors characteristic of APT29 operations.

What industries are most at risk from APT29?

APT29 targets a broad spectrum of industries, with a particular focus on government, diplomatic, think tank, healthcare, and energy sectors. Organizations within these sectors should be especially vigilant.

How does APT29 gain initial access to networks?

APT29 commonly uses spearphishing with malicious attachments or links, exploits vulnerabilities in public-facing applications, and leverages compromised credentials to gain initial access to targeted networks.

What should be included in a response plan to an APT29 intrusion?

A response plan should include immediate isolation of affected systems, thorough investigation to determine the scope of the breach, eradication of the threat actors' tools and access, and a comprehensive review to enhance security postures and prevent future breaches.

How does APT29 maintain persistence within a compromised network?

APT29 uses techniques like adding registry keys for autostart execution, hijacking legitimate scripts, and creating web shells on compromised servers to maintain persistence.

Are there any specific tools or malware associated with APT29?

APT29 is known to use a variety of custom tools and malware, including but not limited to SUNBURST, TEARDROP, and malware written in Python. They also use tools like Mimikatz for credential theft.

What is the best strategy to protect against APT29?

Protecting against APT29 involves a multi-layered security strategy that includes regular patching of vulnerabilities, robust endpoint protection, employee training on phishing awareness, and the deployment of advanced threat detection and response tools.

Can APT29's activities be attributed to specific cyber campaigns?

Yes, APT29 has been linked to several high-profile cyber espionage campaigns, including the SolarWinds Orion software supply chain compromise. They have consistently targeted entities that align with the strategic interests of the Russian government.

How does APT29 evade detection and what can be done to counteract these techniques?

APT29 uses a variety of defense evasion techniques, such as disabling security tools, obfuscating their malware, and utilizing encrypted channels for communication. Countermeasures include employing AI-driven threat detection platforms that can detect and respond to subtle and complex threat behaviors, enhancing visibility across the network, and continuous monitoring for anomalous activity.

What are the implications of an APT29 breach?

An APT29 breach can lead to significant intelligence and data loss, espionage, and potential disruption of critical infrastructures. Organizations impacted by APT29 face reputational damage, financial loss, and the potential compromise of sensitive national security information.

APT29

The Origin of APT29

APT29's Targets

Countries targeted by APT29

Industries Targeted by APT29

Industries Targeted by APT29

Attack Anatomy: SunBurst SolarWinds Attack

APT29’s Attack Method

TTPs used by APT29

How to Detect APT29 with Vectra AI

Azure AD Unusual Scripting Engine Usage

M365 Power Automate HTTP Flow Creation

M365 Suspicious Power Automate Flow Creation

M365 Suspicious SharePoint Operation

Privilege Anomaly: Unusual Account on Host

Privilege Anomaly: Unusual Host

FAQs

How can organizations detect APT29's activities?

What industries are most at risk from APT29?

How does APT29 gain initial access to networks?

What should be included in a response plan to an APT29 intrusion?

How does APT29 maintain persistence within a compromised network?

Are there any specific tools or malware associated with APT29?

What is the best strategy to protect against APT29?

Can APT29's activities be attributed to specific cyber campaigns?

How does APT29 evade detection and what can be done to counteract these techniques?

What are the implications of an APT29 breach?

Is Your Organization Safe from APT29 Attacks?