An advanced persistent threat (APT) is a sophisticated and sustained cyberattack that aims to infiltrate a specific organisation’s network and steal sensitive data over an extended period of time. APT attacks are carefully planned and executed by well-funded and experienced cybercriminal teams. These attackers spend significant time and resources researching vulnerabilities within the target organisation to carry out their attack.
APTs have different goals, including cyber espionage, financial gain, hacktivism, and destruction. They employ advanced evasion techniques to bypass traditional security measures and remain undetected within the network. Some common characteristics of an APT attack include targeted spear-phishing emails, the presence of backdoor Trojans, unusual data bundles, and unexpected information flows.
Notable examples of APTs include APT27 (GOBLIN PANDA), APT28 (FANCY BEAR), APT29 (Cozy Bear), APT32 (Ocean Buffalo), APT34 (HELIX KITTEN), and APT41 (Wicked Panda).
APT attacks pose a significant threat to organisations and their networks, as the attackers have access to advanced tools and techniques that allow them to bypass traditional security measures. It is crucial for organisations to understand APTs and implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect against these sophisticated attacks.
Stages of an APT Attack
APT attacks typically follow a three-stage process: infiltration, escalation and lateral movement, and exfiltration. In the infiltration stage, attackers gain access to the target network using social engineering techniques, such as spear-phishing emails that specifically target high-level individuals within the organisation. Once inside, they insert malware and establish backdoors to expand their access and move laterally across the network, gathering critical information and credentials. The final stage is exfiltration, where attackers store stolen data within the network until they have amassed enough to extract discreetly. They may use distraction tactics like denial-of-service attacks to divert attention and facilitate data exfiltration. Throughout the attack, APT actors employ evasion techniques and leave behind specific signs, such as unusual activity on user accounts and the presence of backdoor Trojans.
| Stage | Description | Key Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Infiltration | Gaining initial access to the target network through social engineering techniques like spear-phishing. | Targeted spear-phishing emails, compromised accounts, presence of malware. |
| Escalation and Lateral Movement | Expanding access within the network, moving laterally, and gathering critical information and credentials. | Unusual activity on user accounts, backdoor Trojans, data bundles, unexpected information flows. |
| Exfiltration | Storing and discreetly extracting stolen data from the network. | Distracted denial-of-service attacks, data storage within the network. |
Protecting Against APT Attacks
To effectively protect against APT attacks, organizations should implement multiple cybersecurity and intelligence solutions. By deploying capabilities that provide full visibility across the network, organizations can avoid blind spots that can be exploited by attackers, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Utilizing technical intelligence, such as indicators of compromise (IOCs), enriches security information and event management (SIEM) data, enhancing threat detection capabilities.
Partnering with a best-of-breed cybersecurity firm offers invaluable assistance in responding to sophisticated threats. These firms have the expertise and experience to guide organizations in implementing effective APT protection strategies tailored to their unique needs, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to thwart attacks.
In addition to robust security measures, organizations should consider implementing a web application firewall (WAF) to protect against attacks at the application level. With the ability to filter and monitor web traffic, a WAF adds an additional layer of defense against APT attackers attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in web applications.
Leveraging threat intelligence is crucial in profiling threat actors, tracking campaigns, and identifying specific malware families. By staying up-to-date with the latest threat intelligence, organizations can proactively detect and mitigate APT attacks before they cause substantial damage.
Furthermore, organizations may benefit from 24/7 managed threat hunting services, which complement existing cybersecurity technologies. These services involve the continuous monitoring and analysis of network activities to proactively identify and neutralize potential threats. By combining automated threat intelligence with expert human analysis, organizations can enhance their ability to detect and respond to APT attacks swiftly and effectively, minimizing the impact on their operations.
In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, speed is of the essence when dealing with APTs. Implementing solutions like endpoint detection and response (EDR) and threat intelligence platforms can significantly reduce response time, allowing organizations to stay one step ahead of APT attackers. By understanding the breakout time of attackers and leveraging automated threat intelligence, organizations can respond quickly and effectively, mitigating the risks posed by APT attacks and safeguarding their sensitive data and network infrastructure.
FAQ
What is an advanced persistent threat (APT)?
An APT is a sophisticated and sustained cyberattack targeting a specific organization’s network to steal sensitive data over an extended period.
How are APT attacks carried out?
APT attacks are carefully planned and executed by experienced cybercriminal teams. They research vulnerabilities, use spear-phishing emails, deploy backdoor Trojans, and employ advanced evasion techniques.
Can you provide examples of APT groups?
Some notable APT groups include APT27 (GOBLIN PANDA), APT28 (FANCY BEAR), APT29 (Cozy Bear), APT32 (Ocean Buffalo), APT34 (HELIX KITTEN), and APT41 (Wicked Panda).
How do APT attacks progress?
APT attacks follow a three-stage process: infiltration, escalation and lateral movement, and exfiltration.
How can organizations protect against APT attacks?
Organizations should implement multiple cybersecurity solutions, including full network visibility, technical and threat intelligence, web application firewalls, and managed threat hunting services.