UNC2452

By Ashwin Venugopal -

 





Overview

UNC2452 is also known as APT29, Cozy Bear, Dark Halo, Midnight Blizzard, NOBELIUM, Solar Phoenix, and StellarParticle. This threat group have been attributed to Russian Intelligence Service (SVR), operating since at least 2008. They generally targets government networks in Europe and NATO member countries, research institutes, and think tanks. Reportedly, they have compromised the Democratic National Committee in the summer of 2015. Also, the US and UK governments attributes the SolarWinds compromise of 2021 to the SVR. 

UNC2452 uses various tools like SUNBURST, SUNSPOT, SUPERNOVA, TEARDROP, RAINDROP, SOLARFLARE, SUNSHUTTLE, Cobalt Strike, and Mimikatz.

Evolution of UNC2452

Since its discovery, UNC2452 has continued to evolve and refine its operational and behavioral tactics, techniques, and procedures. The threat group is regularly is regularly advancing its TTPs while adopting new measures and technologies to emerge as unstoppable. 
  • High Operational Tempo & Scale- They have successfully conducted large-scale phishing campaigns to target diplomatic entities of Europe, North America, and Asia. This activity proves that they are well-resourced threat group. 

  • Wide Operational Scope- The threat group have targeted a variety of victims like Western and European governments, education sector, telecommunication sector, medical research entities, and many more.

  • Victimology & Data Theft- They consistently focus on aggressive gaining and maintaining access to email mailboxes. They have also targeted cloud-based resources and source code repositories, hunting for the data useful for Russia.

  • Varying Intrusion Vector- This threat actor increasing sought to exploit the trust relationship between Third party and customer, abusing the supply chain. It leverages many operational techniques to intrude initially, like, stored credentials, web server compromises, password sprays, and spear phishing. 

  • Heightened OPSEC- The threat group is know for its extensive operational discipline and continue to maintain a strong OPSEC posture across all operations. 

Prevention

This well-funded Russian threat actor has repeatedly attacked the cyber security of U.S.A. This reality is enough to solidify its competency and attack level. Hence, to overcome such attacks a highly advanced cybersecurity program must be utilized. It should also contain some of the most advanced security solutions, email as well as web content filtering, antiviruses, and threat hunting measures. Application of Zero Trust Model, Multifactor Authentication, in-depth defense, etc., are a must to prevent and mitigate the potential damage done by UNC2452

Conclusion

Since 2014, the group has continued to advance its significant technical tradecraft and OPSEC. Hence, it is certain that UNC2452 will continue to evolve its operational and behavioral TTPs, according to its advanced skillset and ability to creatively implement novel TTPs as well as tools to gain persistent access to targets.  

































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