Opsec Mistakes Reveal COBALT MIRAGE Threat Actors

The threat actors attempted to remove traces of their activities, deleting web shells, tools, and audit logs. However, several tools and artifacts were recoverable. The TunnelFish sample was configured to communicate with two command and control (C2) domains: gupdate[.]us and msupdate[.]top. While investigating these domains, CTU researchers discovered additional infrastructure linked to COBALT MIRAGE: mssync[.]one, upmirror[.]top, 104[.]168.117.149, 172[.]245.26.118, and 193[.]142.59.174. CTU researchers also discovered copies of a ransom note in the victim’s environment that referenced a Telegram account (@BuySafety) and email address (buysafety @ onionmail.org) observed in prior intrusions. COBALT MIRAGE usually leaves a ransom note in the form of a .txt text file. However, in this case the threat actors copied a PDF file containing the ransom text (Hi.pdf) into the victim’s environment. Based on evidence from recovered log files, it appears multiple copies of the PDF file were created alongside multiple .txt files with the same content. While other copies of the PDF were deleted, a copy remained in the threat actor’s staging directory. This oversight resulted in the disclosure of information that could reveal the identity of an individual engaged in COBALT MIRAGE activity. The metadata of the Hi.pdf ransom note indicates that the document was created by “ahmad khatibi” in a UTC +3.30 time zone. This time zone corresponds to Iran Standard Time (IRST). The timestamp appears to be authentic. A LinkedIn profile lists Ahmad Khatibi as the CEO of Afkar System Co., a company based in Iran. In June 2022, anti-Iranian regime whistleblower persona Lab_Dookhtegan posted a series of tweets about Ahmad Khatibi and Afkar System, stating they are operating on behalf of Intelligence Organization of Sepah (see Figure 2). Sepah is a reference to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), and the Intelligence Organization (IRGC-IO) is a subordinate unit. The IRGC-IO is one of Iran’s primary intelligence functions and reportedly operates a cyber division.