# Cleaver: threat group profile > Cleaver is an espionage group thought to operate from Iran, with suspected state backing. Public reporting links it to 5 attack techniques, and to attacks on private sector and government organisations, with 15 countries and victims named. This free profile shows how it works and who it targets, so you can judge the risk to you. Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/cleaver Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/) > [Threat groups](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors) > Cleaver ## At a glance | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Attack techniques | 5 (plus 5 sub-techniques) | | Countries and victims named | 15 | | Thought to operate from | Iran | | Suspected backing | Iran | | Motive | Espionage | | Other names | 7 | | Public reports | 15 | ## Who is Cleaver? Cleaver is an espionage group thought to operate from Iran, with suspected state backing. Public reporting links it to 5 attack techniques, and to attacks on private sector and government organisations, with 15 countries and victims named. ### Also known as Operation Cleaver, Op Cleaver, Tarh Andishan, Alibaba, TG-2889, Cobalt Gypsy, G0003 Security companies each give the same group their own name, so one group can have many. ### What public reporting says > A group of cyber actors utilizing infrastructure located in Iran have been conducting computer network exploitation activity against public and private U.S. organizations, including Cleared Defense Contractors (CDCs), academic institutions, and energy sector companies. This threat actor targets entities in the government, energy, and technology sectors that are located in or do business with Saudi Arabia. ## How does Cleaver attack? Stage by stage Each technique is a known way attackers research, get in, stay hidden or do damage. Here are the 5 linked to Cleaver. Some techniques belong to more than one stage. Public reporting also lists 5 more specific variations of them, called sub-techniques. ### 1. Research (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 2. Preparation (3) - T1585: Establish Accounts - T1587: Develop Capabilities - T1588: Obtain Capabilities ### 3. Getting in (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 4. Running code (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 5. Staying in (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 6. Taking control (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 7. Hiding (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 8. Disabling defences (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 9. Stealing passwords (2) - T1003: OS Credential Dumping - T1557: Adversary-in-the-Middle ### 10. Looking around (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 11. Spreading (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 12. Gathering data (1) - T1557: Adversary-in-the-Middle ### 13. Keeping contact (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 14. Taking data out (0) - None linked in public reporting. ### 15. Causing damage (0) - None linked in public reporting. ## Who does Cleaver go after? **Sectors:** Private sector, Government **Countries and victims named:** Canada, France, Israel, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, United States, Pakistan, South Korea, United Kingdom, India, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey See threats by industry: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/industries ## Public reports about Cleaver - https://www.secureworks.com/research/the-curious-case-of-mia-ash - https://www.cfr.org/interactive/cyber-operations/operation-cleaver - http://www.secureworks.com/cyber-threat-intelligence/threats/suspected-iran-based-hacker-group-creates-network-of-fake-linkedin-profiles/ - https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cyber-attacks/operation-woolen-goldfish-when-kittens-go-phishing - https://www.secureworks.com/blog/iranian-pupyrat-bites-middle-eastern-organizations - https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2019/03/27/new-steps-to-protect-customers-from-hacking/ - https://www.trendmicro.de/cloud-content/us/pdfs/security-intelligence/white-papers/wp-the-spy-kittens-are-back.pdf - https://blog.checkpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/rocket-kitten-report.pdf - https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0003/ - https://xorl.wordpress.com/2021/05/06/iran-cyber-operations-groups/ - https://www.secureworks.com/research/suspected-iran-based-hacker-group-creates-network-of-fake-linkedin-profiles - https://know.netenrich.com/threatintel/threat_actor/Cutting%20Kitten - https://www.cfr.org/cyber-operations/operation-cleaver - https://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/33682/cyber-crime/ali-baba-apt-middle-east.html - https://scadahacker.com/library/Documents/Cyber_Events/Cylance%20-%20Operation%20Cleaver%20Report.pdf ## Frequently asked questions ### Who is Cleaver? Cleaver is an espionage group thought to operate from Iran, with suspected state backing. Public reporting links it to 5 attack techniques, and to attacks on private sector and government organisations, with 15 countries and victims named. ### Where is Cleaver thought to be based? Public reporting places Cleaver as operating from Iran, with suspected state backing. Attribution is never certain: it rests on the tools, infrastructure and targets researchers have seen. ### Who does Cleaver target? In public reporting, sectors named include private sector and government, and 15 countries and victims are named, including Canada, France, Israel and Mexico. ### How does Cleaver attack? Public reporting links Cleaver to 5 attack techniques. Most of them are about preparation, stealing passwords and gathering data. ### How do I know if Cleaver is a risk to my business? Create an account and tell us the software you run. We match it against known flaws, including those linked to threat groups, rank each one from 0 to 100 and tell you as soon as we spot something that affects you. ## Check whether it matters to your business A free Precursor Intelligence account (no card needed) matches the software you run against known flaws, including those linked to threat groups, ranks each one from 0 to 100 and tells you as soon as we spot something that affects you. It also shows which threat groups and ransomware gangs are hitting your sector, with profiles of over 900 groups and a PDF dossier for each. - Start free: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/register - Book a demo: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/contact