Threat Actor Profile
TEMP.Hermit
TEMP.Hermit, also known as Selective Pisces, is a sophisticated and highly active threat actor group believed to have emerged around 2021. Known for its cyber-espionage campaigns, TEMP.Hermit primarily uses advanced, stealthy malware and phishing tactics to target government agencies, critical infrastructure, and private sector organizations globally. Their operational precision and technique adaptability suggest an advanced, well-organized structure.
Threat Actor Profile
TEMP.Hermit
Country of Origin
TEMP.Hermit is reportedly tied to North Korea, based on documented evidence and detailed analysis in public threat intelligence assessments. However, specifics about their direct affiliations remain speculative, with experts emphasizing t
Members
The exact size and composition of TEMP.Hermit remain unknown. Analysts speculate they operate as a relatively small yet highly skilled cohort of threat operators, leveraging modular teams to execute distinct aspects of their global campaigns. This reflects common APT operational structures.
Leadership
Currently, there is no verified information regarding the leadership of TEMP.Hermit. The lack of transparency about their organizational structure indicates a deliberate effort to maintain operational secrecy, characteristic of advanced persistent threat (APT) groups.
TEMP.Hermit TTPs
Tactics
TEMP.Hermit primarily aims to collect sensitive political, economic, and military intelligence. They focus on surveillance, data exfiltration, and disruption of targeted systems, often aligning their efforts with North Korean strategic imperatives.
Techniques
The group employs spear phishing emails, watering hole attacks, and exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities to gain access to target networks. Advanced malware variants and lateral movement techniques ensure persistent access and enable long-term intelligence operations.
Procedures
TEMP.Hermit utilizes customized malware such as keyloggers and remote access tools (RATs) to infiltrate environments. Their highly tailored phishing lures, often disguised as legitimate correspondence, indicate a clear understanding of their victims’ internal dynamics.
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Notable Cyberattacks
One high-profile operation tied to TEMP.Hermit involved the compromise of critical infrastructure systems in multiple nations, allegedly aiming to disrupt essential services. Additionally, their malware campaigns targeting financial networks have caused significant economic disruption and are indicative of strategic economic motivations.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
To date, no significant arrests of individuals linked to TEMP.Hermit have been reported. Global agencies such as the FBI and Interpol continue to monitor their activities and collaborate on countering their operations. Collaborative efforts remain essential, given TEMP.Hermit’s persistent and evasive attack methodologies.
How to Defend Against TEMP.Hermit
Implement Advanced Threat Detection Tools: Use cutting-edge intrusion detection systems and endpoint protection solutions to identify and mitigate threats in real time.
Regularly Update and Patch Systems: Ensure all software, operating systems, and firmware are up-to-date to close security vulnerabilities TEMP.Hermit could exploit.
Conduct Security Awareness Training: Educate employees about phishing, social engineering tactics, and other common attack vectors used by advanced threat actors.
Strengthen Network Segmentation: Limit the potential spread of malware by segmenting critical infrastructure and sensitive systems from the rest of the network.
Monitor for Anomalous Behavior: Continuously monitor network activity for any unusual patterns that might indicate a compromise or persistent threat.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Fortify access controls by requiring MFA to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Engage in Threat Intelligence Sharing: Collaborate with industry peers and governments to stay informed about TEMP.Hermit’s evolving techniques and indicators of compromise (IoCs).
Develop an Incident Response Plan: Have a clearly defined plan in place to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of an attack.
Limit Privileged Access: Reduce the number of users with administrative privileges to minimize the potential impact of a breach.
Back Up Critical Data Regularly: Ensure that essential systems and data are backed up and can be restored quickly in the wake of ransomware or destructive attacks.
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