AeroBlade

AeroBlade, a previously undocumented threat actor, has emerged as a significant concern in the cybersecurity landscape. This group was discovered targeting U.S. aerospace organizations in what is believed to be a series of cyber espionage attacks. AeroBlade's initial foray into cyberespionage involved a spear-phishing attack on an American aerospace company, raising concerns among security professionals about the persistent vulnerability of such companies to basic cybersecurity threats. The campaign used spear-phishing to gain access to the victim's network, demonstrating a lack of innovative techniques but a successful exploitation of common weaknesses. The AeroBlade threat group demonstrated its adaptability and sophistication after its initial "test" attack by developing more advanced stealth techniques built into its payload. In a nearly yearlong commercial cyberespionage campaign against a U.S. aerospace company, AeroBlade employed a series of traditional tactics including a phishing bait-and-switch, template injection, and VBA macro code. Unlike high-stakes aerospace espionage carried out by major nation-states and ransomware groups, this latest bout followed a characteristically old script, indicating a focus on proven methods rather than novel approaches. In response to these threats, the BlackBerry Threat Intelligence Group issued warnings to U.S. organizations about the AeroBlade threat group's activities. As of February 2024, there were indications that the group might expand its operations beyond the aerospace industry. Given the group's demonstrated ability to conduct successful cyber espionage through spear-phishing campaigns, organizations across sectors are advised to bolster their defenses, particularly against spear-phishing and other common attack vectors.