The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

Vanilla Tempest: The Threat Actor Behind Recent Hospital Ransomware Attacks

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Anna and Keivan to discuss two prominent threat actors: Vanilla Tempest and Peach Sandstorm.

Gingham Typhoon’s Cyber Expansion Into the South Pacific

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Nick Monaco, Principal Threat Intelligence Analyst at Microsoft, delving into findings from Microsoft's April 2024 East Asia threat report. They discuss Gingham Typhoon's expanding cyber operations in the South Pacific, notably targeting strategic partners like Papua New Guinea despite their involvement in China's Belt and Road Initiative. The conversation shifts to Nylon Typhoon's global espionage efforts, including recent activities in South America and Europe. They also cover Volt Typhoon's sophisticated attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure and highlight Storm 1376's (now Tides of Flood) use of AI-generated news anchors for spreading misinformation. This episode emphasizes the evolving nature of cyber threats and influence operations, including the creative use of technology by adversaries to advance their agendas.

Transcript

The Inside Scoop on Using KQL for Cloud Data Security

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by the authors of the new book The Definitive Guide to KQL: Using Kusto Query Language for Operations, Defending, and Threat Hunting. Guests Rod Trent, Matt Zorich, and Mark Morowczynski discuss the significance of KQL (Kusto Query Language) in cloud data security and how it enables efficient data querying for threat detection in Microsoft products like Sentinel and Defender. They share insights from their own experiences, highlight key features of the book, and explain how both beginners and experts can benefit from KQL. Later in the episode Sherrod speaks with Senior Threat Hunter Lekshmi Vijayan about the growing trend of cyberattacks using malicious PowerShell commands. Lekshmi explains how attackers trick users into copying and pasting harmful code, often through compromised websites or phishing emails. They discuss how these attacks aim to install remote access tools like NetSupport RAT or information stealers, targeting sensitive data like browser credentials and crypto keys.

Transcript

Citrine and Onyx Sleet: An Inside Look at North Korean Threat Actors

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast host Sherrod DeGrippo discusses North Korean threat actors with one of our Microsoft Threat Intelligence researchers and Greg Schloemer focusing on two prominent groups: Onyx Sleet and Storm 0530. Onyx Sleet is a long-standing espionage group known for targeting defense and energy sectors, particularly in the U.S. and India. However, they’ve diversified into ransomware, using tactics like malware downloaders, zero-day vulnerabilities, and a remote access Trojan called D-Track. The conversation also touches on the use of fake certificates and the group's involvement in the software supply chain space.

Transcript

Black Basta and the Use of LLMs by Threat Actors

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Microsoft security researchers Anna Seitz and Daria Pop to discuss the latest trends in ransomware and the evolving role of AI in cyber threats. Daria Pop provides insights into the shifting tactics of Black Basta ransomware, including their use of phishing, social engineering, and remote management tools. The discussion also covers the persistence of malvertising and its challenges for defenders. Anna Seitz explores how state-sponsored threat actors, including Forest Blizzard, Emerald Sleet, and Crimson Sandstorm, are leveraging large language models (LLMs) for various malicious activities.

Transcript