APT100 is a newly emerging advanced persistent threat (APT) actor with a focus on targeting critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector. This article explores their tactics, targets, and mitigation strategies.
Tactics and Techniques:
- Spear-phishing campaigns: Sending highly targeted phishing emails that appear to come from trusted sources or spoofed utility company communication channels, APT100 aims to trick users into revealing credentials or downloading malicious attachments for initial access.
- Malware distribution: Deploying customized and sophisticated malware variants tailored to energy sector systems, APT100 bypasses traditional security controls undetected.
- Credential harvesting: Stealing user credentials through various means such as phishing or exploiting weak authentication practices, APT100 moves laterally across networks and gains access to sensitive control system data repositories containing critical infrastructure information.
- Data exfiltration: Extracting valuable operational technology (OT) data from targeted organizations, APT100 exposes confidential control system configurations, process parameters, and other intelligence for potential sabotage or disruption activities.
- Multi-stage attacks: Employing multi-step infection chains involving multiple exploits or payloads, APT100 bypasses security measures at different stages of the attack process while remaining undetected.
- Exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities: Taking advantage of previously unknown software vulnerabilities, APT100 gains initial access or bypasses security controls undetected.
- Supply chain attacks: Infiltrating third-party energy service suppliers and integrating backdoors or other malware into legitimate products, APT100 compromises multiple organizations simultaneously through their supply chains.
- Insider threats: Exploiting trusted insiders within targeted organizations to gain access to sensitive information or bypass security controls undetected.
Target Sector: APT100 primarily targets critical infrastructure in the energy sector, including power plants, gas pipelines, and other vital facilities that rely on operational technology (OT) systems. Their main objective is to disrupt operations, steal valuable data for potential sabotage activities or cause physical damage to the targeted assets.
Alternate names
APT-C-08,
Sure, here's some information on APT100:
APT100 is an advanced persistent threat (APT) group that has been active since at least 2009 and continues to be a significant cybersecurity concern for organizations worldwide. The group is believed to have ties with the Chinese government, specifically the People's Liberation Army (PLA), although this connection remains unconfirmed by official sources.
APT100 has been linked to several high-profile attacks on various industries and sectors including aerospace, defense, finance, energy, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. The group is known for its sophisticated techniques such as spearphishing emails, watering hole attacks, and malware that can evade detection by antivirus software.
APT100 has been associated with several notorious cyberattacks
Techniques, tactics and practices:
Sure! Here's some information on the TTPs used by APT100:
APT100 is a highly sophisticated threat actor that employs various techniques, tactics and practices (TTPs) to carry out its attacks. Some of these include:
* Spearphishing emails: These are targeted phishing emails sent to specific individuals or organizations with the aim of tricking them into downloading malware or providing sensitive information. APT100 is known for using highly personalized and convincing spearphishing emails that can evade detection by antivirus software.
* Watering hole attacks: These are targeted attacks on specific websites, online communities, or platforms frequented by a particular group of individuals or organizations. By exploiting vulnerabilities in these sites, APT100 is able to gain access to sensitive information and install malware without the users' knowledge.
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