June 5, 2022
1 min read

Microsoft disables hackers working with Iranian intelligence

Microsoft has detected and disabled a previously undocumented Lebanon-based activity group that is working with other actors affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) to attack organisations in Israel…reports Asian Lite News

Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) named the group ‘Polonium’.

The tech giant suspended more than 20 malicious OneDrive applications created by Polonium actors, notified affected organisations, and deployed a series of security intelligence updates that will quarantine tools developed by Polonium operators.

“Our goal is to help deter future activity by exposing and sharing the Polonium tactics with the community at large,” the company said in a statement.

The group is linked with Iranian government and such collaboration or direction from Tehran would align with a string of revelations since late 2020 that the “Government of Iran is using third parties to carry out cyber operations on their behalf, likely to enhance Iran’s plausible deniability”.

Polonium has targeted or compromised more than 20 organisations based in Israel and one intergovernmental organisation with operations in Lebanon over the past three months.

“This actor has deployed unique tools that abuse legitimate cloud services for command and control (C2) across most of their victims. Polonium was observed creating and using legitimate OneDrive accounts, then utilising those accounts as C2 to execute part of their attack operation,” explained Microsoft.

This activity does not represent any security issues or vulnerabilities on the OneDrive platform.

ALSO READ: Microsoft on a mission to find best windows apps

“As with any observed nation-state actor activity, Microsoft directly notifies customers that have been targeted or compromised, providing them with the information they need to secure their accounts,” said the company.

Since February, Polonium has been observed primarily targeting organisations in Israel with a focus on critical manufacturing, IT, and Israel’s defense industry.

In at least one case, Polonium’s compromise of an IT company was used to target a downstream aviation company and law firm in a supply chain attack that relied on service provider credentials to gain access to the targeted networks, according to the researchers.

Previous Story

India directly engages with Taliban 2.0 in Afghanistan

Next Story

Shehbaz in a fix over Pak power crisis

Latest from Arab News

UAE Reopens Doors to Lebanon

The prime minister expressed Lebanon’s “utmost gratitude and appreciation to the UAE” and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan….reports Asian Lite News Lebanon welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates

GAZA IS HUNGRY

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to deteriorate as the Israeli blockade enters its third consecutive month, severely restricting the entry of food, water, and essential supplies to the coastal

SYRIA RAIDS: Arab League Slams Israel

The Arab League condemned the airstrikes and called on the international community and the United Nations to confront what it described as “repeated violations committed by Israel against the Syrian state.” The

Abu Dhabi, Beirut Reconnect 

A key highlight of Aoun’s visit to UAE was the agreement to ease travel restrictions between the two countries — a move set to facilitate the movement of citizens and promote closer

ATM 2025 sets new standard 

The global event drew over 55,000 travel and tourism professionals from 166 countries, marking a 16% year-on-year increase in attendance and cementing Dubai’s role as a key hub for shaping the future
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Iran’s economic crucible unsolved as nuke talks stalled

As one year of nuclear negotiations has yet to lift

Iran ready to resume nuke talks at Vienna

Iran says resumption of Vienna talks on agenda. A spokesman