CURIUM — APT Profile
CURIUM is an Iranian threat group, first reported in September 2019 and active since at least July 2018, targeting IT service providers in the Middle East. CURIUM has since invested in building relationships with potential targets via social media over a period of months to establish trust and confidence before sending malware. Security researchers note CURIUM has demonstrated great patience and persistence by chatting with potential targets daily and sending benign files to help lower their security consciousness.Also tracked as
Crimson Sandstorm, TA456, Tortoise Shell, Yellow Liderc
Tools & malware
- IMAPLoader Backdoor
Vendor research
- How Microsoft names threat actors Microsoft
- I Knew You Were Trouble: TA456 Targets Defense Contractor with Alluring Social Media Persona Proofpoint
- Evolving trends in Iranian threat actor activity – MSTIC presentation at CyberWarCon 2021 Microsoft
- Yellow Liderc ships its scripts and delivers IMAPLoader malware PWC
- Tortoiseshell Group Targets IT Providers in Saudi Arabia in Probable Supply Chain Attacks Symantec