Definition

APT actors are well-resourced and engage in sophisticated malicious cyber activity that is targeted and aimed at prolonged network/system intrusion. APT objectives could include espionage, data theft, and network/system disruption or destruction.

Related Terms

State-Sponsored Actor (common, but not all APTs are state-sponsored), Targeted Attack, Zero-Day Exploit.

Background

An Advanced Persistent Threat refers to a highly sophisticated, well-resourced, and often (though not exclusively) state-sponsored or state-affiliated group or individual that engages in targeted malicious cyber activities. Their primary goal is typically to gain and maintain prolonged, unauthorised access to specific networks, systems, or to create and operate accounts for purposes such as disinformation, misinformation, impersonation, disruption of services, or strategic destabilisation.

While the Fediverse’s decentralised infrastructure can present a complex target landscape, APTs might target specific instances (servers), prominent accounts, or developers involved in Fediverse software for various strategic reasons. This could include intelligence gathering on user groups, attempting to compromise instance infrastructure, stealing sensitive user data from a specific server, or using the Fediverse for influence operations. Due to their sophistication, APT activities can be exceptionally difficult to detect and attribute.

Volunteer moderators are unlikely to directly spot an APT’s technical intrusion. However, they might observe the consequences of an APT’s activity, such as highly sophisticated social engineering attempts targeting influential users, unusual and persistent attempts to spread custom malware via direct messages, or evidence of a coordinated disinformation campaign that appears unusually well-resourced and targeted. Awareness typically comes from security researchers, national CERTs, or an instance administrator who has detected a breach. IFTAS operates an account specifically ot inform of threats like these, follow https://mastodon.iftas.org/@sw_isac

Managing Suspected Advanced Persistent Threat Activity: Key Steps

Response to suspected APT activity is typically led by Service Administrators and security professionals. Moderators’ roles are generally supportive.

• Report Suspicious Activity: Immediately report any highly sophisticated, targeted, and unusual malicious activity (e.g., advanced spear phishing, suspected custom malware, well-resourced influence ops, suspicious behaviour from a federated instance) to your Service Administrator. Provide as much detail and evidence as possible.
• Follow Administrator Guidance: The Service Administrator will lead the technical investigation and response, which might involve analysing logs, isolating affected systems, potentially de-federating from suspect instances, and contacting law enforcement or national CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams).
• Heighten Community Awareness (If Advised): If directed by your Service Administrator or a trusted security authority, you might advise community members to be extra vigilant about specific types of threats observed.
• Promote Security Best Practices: Consistently encourage users to adopt strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, be wary of unsolicited links/attachments, and keep their software updated.
• Remove Malicious Content: If directed, remove any overt malicious content associated with the suspected activity that appears in community spaces.
• Do Not Engage Directly: Do not attempt to engage with or investigate accounts or infrastructure suspected of being part of an APT operation yourself.

Example Community Guidance

Given that direct interaction with APTs is unlikely for most members or moderators outside of being a target of social engineering, specific community rules often focus on the behaviours that APTs might leverage, rather than APTs themselves.

General Prohibition (covering precursor activities): “The distribution of malware, engagement in sophisticated phishing attempts, unauthorised access to systems or accounts, and coordinated disinformation campaigns for malicious purposes are strictly prohibited. Users must not attempt to compromise the security or integrity of this service or its users. Instances found to be deliberately hosting or facilitating such activities may be defederated.”

Strict Enforcement (response to breaches): “Any confirmed activity that indicates a severe, targeted attempt to compromise our systems or users by sophisticated actors will be treated with utmost seriousness, may involve reporting to law enforcement and national cybersecurity centres, and will lead to the immediate banning of any implicated local accounts. Information will be shared with other community administrators and service providers as appropriate to protect the wider Fediverse.”

Threat Intelligence Resources

• ATT&CK (MITRE)
• DragonNewsBytes (Team Cymru)
• VX Underground APTs
• List of political disinformation website campaigns