Microsoft has released a report detailing recent activity by Mint Sandstorm, an Iranian state-sponsored hacking group, targeting high-profile academics and researchers working on Middle Eastern affairs. The report highlights new tactics and malware, signaling an escalation in capabilities.
According to Microsoft, since November 2023, a skilled subgroup within Mint Sandstorm has been carrying out spear-phishing attempts against individuals at universities and think tanks in several Western countries, Israel, and Gaza. The social engineering tactics are highly tailored to build trust before delivering sophisticated malware.
