www.darkreading.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700::6811:7763  Public Scan

URL: https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/educated-manticore-targets-israeli-victims-in-improved-phishing-attacks
Submission: On April 26 via api from TR — Scanned from DE

Form analysis 0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

The Edge
DR Tech
Sections
Close
Back
Sections
Featured Sections
The Edge
Dark Reading Technology
Attacks / Breaches

Cloud

ICS/OT

Remote Workforce

Perimeter

Analytics
Security Monitoring

Security Monitoring
App Sec
Database Security

Database Security
Risk
Compliance

Compliance
Threat Intelligence

Endpoint
AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy

AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy
Vulnerabilities / Threats
Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management

Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management
Operations
Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People

Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People
Physical Security

IoT

Black Hat news
Omdia Research
Security Now
Events
Close
Back
Events
Events
 * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event
   
 * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More
   

Webinars
 * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program
   Apr 27, 2023
 * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus!
   May 04, 2023

Resources
Close
Back
Resources
Dark Reading Library >
Webinars >
Reports >
Slideshows >
White Papers >
Partner Perspectives: Microsoft
Tech Library >

Newsletter

The Edge
DR Tech
Sections
Close
Back
Sections
Featured Sections
The Edge
Dark Reading Technology
Attacks / Breaches

Cloud

ICS/OT

Remote Workforce

Perimeter

Analytics
Security Monitoring

Security Monitoring
App Sec
Database Security

Database Security
Risk
Compliance

Compliance
Threat Intelligence

Endpoint
AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy

AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy
Vulnerabilities / Threats
Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management

Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management
Operations
Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People

Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People
Physical Security

IoT

Black Hat news
Omdia Research
Security Now
Events
Close
Back
Events
Events
 * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event
   
 * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More
   

Webinars
 * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program
   Apr 27, 2023
 * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus!
   May 04, 2023

Resources
Close
Back
Resources
Dark Reading Library >
Webinars >
Reports >
Slideshows >
White Papers >
Partner Perspectives: Microsoft
Tech Library >
The Edge
DR Tech
Sections
Close
Back
Sections
Featured Sections
The Edge
Dark Reading Technology
Attacks / Breaches

Cloud

ICS/OT

Remote Workforce

Perimeter

Analytics
Security Monitoring

Security Monitoring
App Sec
Database Security

Database Security
Risk
Compliance

Compliance
Threat Intelligence

Endpoint
AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy

AuthenticationMobile SecurityPrivacy
Vulnerabilities / Threats
Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management

Advanced ThreatsInsider ThreatsVulnerability Management
Operations
Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People

Identity & Access ManagementCareers & People
Physical Security

IoT

Black Hat news
Omdia Research
Security Now
Events
Close
Back
Events
Events
 * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event
   
 * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More
   

Webinars
 * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program
   Apr 27, 2023
 * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus!
   May 04, 2023

Resources
Close
Back
Resources
Dark Reading Library >
Webinars >
Reports >
Slideshows >
White Papers >
Partner Perspectives: Microsoft
Tech Library >

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newsletter
SEARCH
A minimum of 3 characters are required to be typed in the search bar in order to
perform a search.




Announcements
 1. 
 2. 
 3. 

Event
How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program | Webinar <REGISTER>
Event
How to Accelerate XDR Outcomes: Bridging the Gap Between Network and Endpoint |
Webinar <REGISTER>
Report
Black Hat USA 2022 Attendee Report | Supply Chain & Cloud Security Risks Are Top
of Mind | <READ IT NOW>
PreviousNext

Endpoint

1 MIN READ

Quick Hits



'EDUCATED MANTICORE' TARGETS ISRAELI VICTIMS IN IMPROVED PHISHING ATTACKS

The Iranian threat actor displays activity similar to that of other advanced
persistent threat groups.
Dark Reading Staff
Dark Reading
April 25, 2023
Manticore is named after the mythical beast.
Source: ASP Religion via Alamy Stock Photo
PDF


An Iranian threat actor, under the name of Educated Manticore, has been the
cause of targeted phishing attacks towards Israeli victims, with researchers
finding that its activity links the group to another advanced persistent threat
(APT) group by the name of Phosphorus.



Its activity is similar to other well-known hacking groups like TA453 and Cobalt
Illusion in that its phishing attempts are designed to deploy a new version of
PowerLess — something that Phosphorus has managed to do in the past while
operating in the Middle East and Africa.

In a report released by Check Point, researchers say that the new version of the
PowerLess payload uses "an ISO file to initiate the infection chain." They also
reported that other documents in the ISO file were written in Hebrew, Arabic,
and English, claiming to feature information about Iraq from the Arab Science
and Technology Foundation leading researchers to believe that "the research
community may have been the target of the campaign."

It's likely that these threat actors will continue to test and refine the tools
used to commit these attacks in the future. "While the new PowerLess payload
remains similar," Check Point researchers said in the analysis, "its loading
mechanisms have significantly improved, adopting techniques rarely seen in the
wild, such as using .NET binary files created in mixed mode with assembly code."


Vulnerabilities/ThreatsThreat IntelligenceAttacks/Breaches
Keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats, newly-discovered vulnerabilities,
data breach information, and emerging trends. Delivered daily or weekly right to
your email inbox.
Subscribe

More Insights
White Papers
 * 
   The Ultimate Guide to the CISSP
 * 
   ESG Report: Automated Application Security Testing for Faster Development

More White Papers
Webinars
 * 
   How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program
 * 
   What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus!

More Webinars
Reports
 * 
   Successfully Managing Identity in Modern Cloud and Hybrid Environments
 * 
   The 10 Most Impactful Types of Vulnerabilities for Enterprises Today

More Reports

Editors' Choice
7 Things Your Ransomware Response Playbook Is Likely Missing
Becky Bracken, Editor, Dark Reading
Samsung Engineers Feed Sensitive Data to ChatGPT, Sparking Workplace AI Warnings
Jai Vijayan, Contributing Writer, Dark Reading
LastPass Breach Reveals Important Lessons
Mike Walters, VP of Vulnerability and Threat Research & Co-Founder, Action1
Corporation
FIN7, Former Conti Gang Members Collaborate on 'Domino' Malware
Jai Vijayan, Contributing Writer, Dark Reading
Webinars
 * How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program
 * What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus!
 * Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT and Cybersecurity: A Match Made in Heaven or
   a Hack Waiting to Happen?
 * Unleashing AI to Assess Cybersecurity Risk
 * Puzzled by Patching: Solve Endpoint Pains

More Webinars
Reports
 * Successfully Managing Identity in Modern Cloud and Hybrid Environments
 * The 10 Most Impactful Types of Vulnerabilities for Enterprises Today
 * Shoring Up the Software Supply Chain Across Enterprise Applications
 * The Promise and Reality of Cloud Security
 * 10 Hot Talks From Black Hat USA 2022

More Reports

White Papers
 * The Ultimate Guide to the CISSP
 * ESG Report: Automated Application Security Testing for Faster Development
 * Adopting a Defense-in-Depth Approach to IT Security
 * Large Insurer goes beyond Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) with Cymulate
 * Know your customer: Enable a 360-degree view with customer identity & access
   management

More White Papers
Events
 * Anatomy of a Data Breach - A Dark Reading June 22 Event
 * Black Hat USA - August 5-10 - Learn More
 * Black Hat Asia - May 9-12 - Learn More

More Events
More Insights
White Papers
 * 
   The Ultimate Guide to the CISSP
 * 
   ESG Report: Automated Application Security Testing for Faster Development

More White Papers
Webinars
 * 
   How to Launch a Threat Hunting Program
 * 
   What's "CNAPP-ening"? Bring Your Cloud Security into Focus!

More Webinars
Reports
 * 
   Successfully Managing Identity in Modern Cloud and Hybrid Environments
 * 
   The 10 Most Impactful Types of Vulnerabilities for Enterprises Today

More Reports

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

 * Interop
 * InformationWeek
 * Network Computing
 * ITPro Today

 * Data Center Knowledge
 * Black Hat
 * Omdia

WORKING WITH US

 * About Us
 * Advertise
 * Reprints

FOLLOW DARK READING ON SOCIAL

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


 * Home
 * Cookies
 * Privacy
 * Terms



Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC Informa UK Limited is a company registered in
England and Wales with company number 1072954 whose registered office is 5
Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.





Cookies Button


ABOUT COOKIES ON THIS SITE

We and our partners use cookies to enhance your website experience, learn how
our site is used, offer personalised features, measure the effectiveness of our
services, and tailor content and ads to your interests while you navigate on the
web or interact with us across devices. You can choose to accept all of these
cookies or only essential cookies. To learn more or manage your preferences,
click “Settings”. For further information about the data we collect from you,
please see our Privacy Policy

Accept All
Settings



COOKIE PREFERENCE CENTER

When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your
browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you,
your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you
expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can
give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to
privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the
different category headings to find out more and change our default settings.
However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site
and the services we are able to offer.
More information
Allow All


MANAGE CONSENT PREFERENCES

STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES

Always Active

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched
off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you
which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy
preferences, logging in or filling in forms.    You can set your browser to
block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then
work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Cookies Details‎

PERFORMANCE COOKIES

Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and
improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the
most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.    All
information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you
do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and
will not be able to monitor its performance.

Cookies Details‎

FUNCTIONAL COOKIES

Functional Cookies

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and
personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose
services we have added to our pages.    If you do not allow these cookies then
some or all of these services may not function properly.

Cookies Details‎

TARGETING COOKIES

Targeting Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may
be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you
relevant adverts on other sites.    They do not store directly personal
information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet
device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted
advertising.

Cookies Details‎
Back Button


BACK



Search Icon
Filter Icon

Clear
checkbox label label
Apply Cancel
Consent Leg.Interest
checkbox label label
checkbox label label
checkbox label label

 * 
   
   View Cookies
   
    * Name
      cookie name

Confirm My Choices