# APT35

> As of 2026-06-10, APT35 is a Iran-nexus threat actor tracked by Threadlinqs Intelligence across 3 threats spanning apt, ics scada. Also known as COBALT ILLUSION, Charming Kitten, ITG18, Mint Sandstorm. ATT&CK coverage spans 62 techniques across 15 tactics in 3 of 3 tracked threats. Most-observed techniques: T1027 (Obfuscated Files or Information), T1036 (Masquerading), T1071 (Application Layer Protocol).

- **Nation:** Iran
- **Tracked threats:** 3
- **Categories:** APT, ICS_SCADA
- **Also known as:** COBALT ILLUSION, Charming Kitten, ITG18, Mint Sandstorm, Newscaster, Phosphorus, TA453, Magic Hound, APT42
- **As of:** 2026-06-10

## ATT&CK techniques observed

62 techniques observed across 3 of 3 tracked threats. Tactics: Command and Control (7), Impact (7), Discovery (6), Reconnaissance (6), Stealth (formerly Defense Evasion) (6), Collection (4).

- [T1027](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1027/) Obfuscated Files or Information — Stealth (formerly Defense Evasion) — observed in 3 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1036](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1036/) Masquerading — Stealth (formerly Defense Evasion) — observed in 3 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1071](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1071/) Application Layer Protocol — Command and Control — observed in 3 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1566](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1566/) Phishing — Initial Access — observed in 3 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1583](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1583/) Acquire Infrastructure — Resource Development — observed in 3 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1588](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1588/) Obtain Capabilities — Resource Development — observed in 3 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1589](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1589/) Gather Victim Identity Information — Reconnaissance — observed in 3 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1005](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1005/) Data from Local System — Collection — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1021](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021/) Remote Services — Lateral Movement — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1041](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1041/) Exfiltration Over C2 Channel — Exfiltration — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1046](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1046/) Network Service Discovery — Discovery — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1059](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/) Command and Scripting Interpreter — Execution — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1078](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078/) Valid Accounts — Initial Access — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1082](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1082/) System Information Discovery — Discovery — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats
- [T1105](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1105/) Ingress Tool Transfer — Command and Control — observed in 2 of 3 tracked threats

## Tracked threats

- [Iranian "Dream Job" Campaign (TA455 / Charming Kitten) — SnailResin Loader & SlugResin Backdoor Targeting Aerospace, Aviation & Defense](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-0763) — HIGH
- [APT35 (Charming Kitten) GCC Pre-Positioning Cyber Reconnaissance Campaign Enabling Kinetic Targeting](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-0339) — CRITICAL
- [Iranian-Aligned Cyber Mobilization — 60+ Groups Targeting US Critical Infrastructure ICS/SCADA with AI-Assisted Reconnaissance Post Iran-US Escalation (Feb 28, 2026)](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-0183) — CRITICAL

## Related CVEs

12 CVEs referenced by tracked APT35 activity.

- [CVE-2024-23897](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-23897)
- [CVE-2024-21893](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-21893)
- [CVE-2024-21887](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-21887)
- [CVE-2024-1709](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-1709)
- [CVE-2024-1708](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-1708)
- [CVE-2023-7028](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2023-7028)
- [CVE-2023-22527](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2023-22527)
- [CVE-2021-22205](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2021-22205)
- [CVE-2019-18935](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2019-18935)
- [CVE-2017-3506](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2017-3506)
- [CVE-2017-11317](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2017-11317)
- [CVE-2012-1823](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2012-1823)

## Full data

Infrastructure, IOC values and detection queries (Splunk SPL / Microsoft KQL / Sigma) require the Threadlinqs MCP server (Purple tier): https://intel.threadlinqs.com/mcp

Canonical: https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/APT35