APT34: Iran’s Silent Cyber War — And Why Your Business Should Pay Attention
In today’s rapidly escalating cyber threat landscape, nation-state actors aren’t just targeting governments and militaries — they’re embedded deep within the private sector supply chains, critical infrastructure, and cloud ecosystems. And one of the most quietly dangerous players leading this charge is APT34, also known as OilRig, Helix Kitten, or ITG13.
The Full Report can be downloaded here.
Who is APT34?
Operating on behalf of the Iranian state since at least 2014, APT34 specializes in long-term cyber espionage, focusing on Middle Eastern and global targets in energy, government, defense, telecommunications, and logistics. Their methods rely not on flash and destruction, but on patience, precision, and deep operational stealth.
APT34 has been tied to:
The DNSpionage campaign, using DNS record hijacking to infiltrate government systems in the UAE and Lebanon
Fake job lure attacks that deployed custom malware into Gulf-based energy firms
COVID-themed phishing used to breach NGOs and diplomatic missions
Persistent network access operations within logistics and infrastructure sectors — with eyes not only on data, but also control
These attacks align with Iranian geopolitical objectives and show increasing focus on supply chains, maritime operations, and remote workforce platforms.
Why This Matters to Your Organization
Even if you're not a government or defense agency, you are not outside the blast radius.
APT34 doesn't always attack directly — they often pivot through third-party vendors, unmanaged endpoints, and overlooked identity systems. Their campaigns are strategically aligned with Iran’s interests, but tactically target vulnerable entry points in the commercial ecosystem.
If your company:
Handles sensitive intellectual property
Supports critical infrastructure (energy, ports, logistics, finance)
Operates across cloud environments like Microsoft 365 or Azure
Or connects to partners who do…
…then you’re already on their radar.
What You Can Do About It
In our full technical analysis, Dark Raven Labs breaks down:
The real tradecraft of APT34, mapped to MITRE ATT&CK techniques
Behavioral IOCs your SOC can monitor today
How the group’s tools (POWERTON, DNSpionage, Tonedeaf) work behind the scenes
What executives and IT decision-makers need to do to prepare
Why traditional MSPs often miss what MSSPs like Dark Raven Labs are designed to detect
We go beyond the headlines — providing real tools, real tactics, and real recommendations.
Read the Full Report
Discover how APT34 is shaping the future of cyber conflict — and how to make sure your organization isn't tomorrow’s headline.
👉 Click Here to Download
👉 Contact Dark Raven For More Information
