APT42 is characterized by highly targeted spear phishing and surveillance operations against individuals and organizations of strategic interest to Iran.
The group’s operations, which are designed to build trust and rapport with their victims, have included accessing the personal and corporate email accounts of government officials, former Iranian policymakers or political figures, members of the Iranian diaspora and opposition groups, journalists, and academics who are involved in research on Iran.
After gaining access, the group has deployed mobile malware capable of tracking victim locations, recording phone conversations, accessing videos and images, and extracting entire SMS inboxes.
APT42 has a demonstrated ability to alter its operational focus as Iran’s priorities evolve over time.
Mandiant anticipates APT42 will continue to conduct cyber espionage operations in support of Iran’s strategic priorities in the long term based on their extensive operational history and imperviousness to public reporting and infrastructure takedowns.
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