Published on: 2025-02-16

Intelligence Report: Storm-2372 used the device code phishing technique since August 2024 – Securityaffairs.com

1. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Storm-2372, likely linked to Russia, has been employing device code phishing techniques since August 2024, targeting government, NGO, and industry sectors across Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. The campaign exploits authentication flows to steal tokens, granting attackers access to sensitive data. Immediate actions are recommended to mitigate the threat, including blocking device code flows and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA).

2. Detailed Analysis

The following structured analytic techniques have been applied for this analysis:

SWOT Analysis

Strengths: The attackers’ ability to mimic legitimate applications like Microsoft Teams enhances their phishing success rate.
Weaknesses: Reliance on user interaction to gain access, which can be mitigated through user education and security measures.
Opportunities: Increased awareness and improved cybersecurity protocols can reduce the effectiveness of such attacks.
Threats: Persistent access to compromised accounts poses long-term security risks.

Cross-Impact Matrix

The phishing campaign’s impact on one region can lead to increased cybersecurity measures in neighboring areas, potentially disrupting similar threat activities.

Scenario Generation

Best-case: Enhanced security measures and international cooperation lead to the dismantling of Storm-2372 operations.
Worst-case: The campaign expands, affecting critical infrastructure and causing significant data breaches.
Most likely: Continued phishing attempts with varying degrees of success, prompting gradual improvements in cybersecurity defenses.

3. Implications and Strategic Risks

The ongoing phishing campaign poses significant risks to national security, regional stability, and economic interests. Compromised accounts can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. The use of regional proxies by attackers complicates attribution and response efforts.

4. Recommendations and Outlook

Recommendations:

• Block device code flows where possible to prevent unauthorized access.
• Enable and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all platforms.
• Conduct regular security audits and user training to recognize phishing attempts.
• Enhance international cooperation to track and disrupt threat actor activities.

Outlook:

Best-case: Successful implementation of recommended measures reduces the impact of phishing campaigns.
Worst-case: Failure to address vulnerabilities leads to widespread data breaches and increased geopolitical tensions.
Most likely: Gradual improvement in security posture, with ongoing challenges in adapting to evolving threats.

5. Key Individuals and Entities

The report highlights the involvement of microsoft in identifying and analyzing the threat actor’s activities. No specific individuals are mentioned by name in the source text.