From: Dark Reading
New advanced persistent threat (APT) attack combines a variety of vectors, seeks to steal sensitive data, McAfee researchers say
By Tim Wilson
Researchers at McAfee yesterday revealed details of a new advanced persistent threat attack that uses a combination of methods in an effort to steal sensitive operations, exploration, and financial data from petroleum and energy companies.The new series of attacks, dubbed “Night Dragon,” may have begun as long ago as 2008, McAfee says in its report about the threat. “Now, new Night Dragon attacks are being identified every day,” the report says. Night Dragon’s creators “appear to be highly organized and motivated in their pursuits,” McAfee says.The attack is “a combination of social engineering and well-coordinated, targeted, cyber attacks using Trojans, remote control software, and other malware.” The report says McAfee has seen evidence of the attacks in virtually every region of the globe, and that it has “identified tools, techniques, and network activities utilized … that point to individuals in China as the primary source. ”