A previously unknown state-sponsored actor is deploying a novel toolset in attacks targeting telecommunication providers and IT firms in South Asia.
The goal of the group — tracked as Harvester by researchers at Symantec who spotted it — is to collect intelligence in highly targeted espionage campaigns focusing on IT, telecom, and government entities.
Harvester's malicious tools haven't been encountered in the wild before, indicating that this is a threat actor with no connections to known adversaries.
"The Harvester group uses both custom malware and publicly available tools in its attacks, which began in June 2021, with the most recent activity seen in October 2021. Sectors targeted include telecommunications, government, and information technology (IT)," Symantec researchers said.
"The capabilities of the tools, their custom development, and the victims targeted, all suggest that Harvester is a nation-state-backed actor."
Here’s a summary of the tools used by Harvester operators in their attacks:
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