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Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cloud-cybersecurity-research/ "Cloud Cybersecurity Research") [Cloud Cybersecurity Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cloud-cybersecurity-research/) # IAM Your Defense Against Cloud Threats: The Latest Unit 42 Cloud Threat Research ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 5 min read Related Products [![Prisma Cloud icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/prisma_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Prisma Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/prisma-cloud/ "Prisma Cloud") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/unit42/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:April 12, 2022 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Cloud Cybersecurity Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cloud-cybersecurity-research/) * [Trend Reports](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/trend-reports/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [8220](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/8220/) * [APT 28](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/apt-28/) * [APT 29](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/apt-29/) * [APT 41](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/apt-41/) * [Cloud configuration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-configuration/) * [Cloud threat actors](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-threat-actors/) * [Cozy Bear](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cozy-bear/) * [Fancy Bear](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fancy-bear/) * [Gadolinium](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/gadolinium/) * [IAM](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/iam/) * [Kinsing](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/kinsing/) * [Rocke](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/rocke/) * [TeamTnT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/teamtnt/) * [WatchDog](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/watchdog/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iam-cloud-threat-research/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=279fa6c5e6 "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iam-cloud-threat-research/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=279fa6c5e6 "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link 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Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fiam-cloud-threat-research%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=IAM%20Your%20Defense%20Against%20Cloud%20Threats:%20The%20Latest%20Unit%2042%20Cloud%20Threat%20Research%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fiam-cloud-threat-research%2F "Share in Mastodon") ## Introduction The ongoing transition to cloud platforms has meant that more sensitive data is stored in the cloud, making it more tempting for adversaries to exploit. When it comes to securing the cloud, identity is the first line of defense. Without proper [identity and access management (IAM)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-identity-and-access-management) policies in place, an organization can pay for any number of security tools -- but comprehensive security will never be possible. To understand how IAM policies affect organizations' cloud security posture, we analyzed 680,000+ identities across 18,000 cloud accounts from 200 different organizations to understand their configuration and usage patterns. The results of our research were shocking. **Nearly all organizations we analyzed lack the proper IAM management policy controls to remain secure.** These misconfigured IAM policies open the door for what Unit 42 defines as a new type of threat: Cloud Threat Actors. We define a cloud threat actor as **"an individual or group posing a threat to organizations through directed and sustained access to cloud platform resources, services or embedded metadata."** We believe cloud threat actors merit a separate definition because we observe that they have begun to employ a fundamentally different set of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) that are unique to the cloud -- such as taking advantage of the ability to perform both lateral movement and privilege escalation operations simultaneously. Below, we'll present some of the highlights of the research and recommendations in Unit 42's latest Cloud Threat Report, "[IAM The First Line of Defense](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/unit42-cloud-threat-research-volume-six)." ## Why Identity and Access Management Takes Center Stage Throughout the pandemic, there were [significant expansions of cloud workloads overall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2022/01/cloud-security-survey-better-security-drives-better-business-outcomes/). Organizations increased their cloud usage -- with a dramatic surge in the number of organizations that host more than half their workloads in the cloud (see Figure 1 below). ![Percent change in cloud workloads since 2020, where blue represents cloud workload volumes and green represents organizations hosting more than half their workloads in the cloud. The figure shows cloud workloads volumes going from 46% to 59% and organizations hosting more than half their workloads in the cloud going from 31% to 69%. The prevalence of cloud workloads makes defense against cloud threats more important than ever.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/word-image-21.png) Figure 1. Percent change in cloud workloads since 2020, where blue represents cloud workload volumes and green represents organizations hosting more than half their workloads in the cloud. As more organizations move workloads to the cloud, and develop applications natively in the cloud, identity needs to remain a key focus when building a cloud security strategy. If you follow Unit 42 closely, you may remember that it was just a short time ago that we published a [report on the importance of IAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/unit42-cloud-threat-research). When attackers take advantage of misconfigured or overly permissive identity access controls, they don't need to figure out how to pull off a technically complex compromise. Instead, they can simply gain access to resources as if they have a right to them. Threat actors are hungry to [target organizations that lack proper IAM controls](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/teamtnt-operations-cloud-environments/), and pairing this hunger with an increased usage of cloud platforms creates a new kind of threat -- one that is more sophisticated yet requires less effort to execute. The question turns to why and how this is possible. ## Key Findings From Unit 42's Cloud Threat Report: IAM The First Line of Defense ### Why IAM Is a Target Let's address the "why" first by explaining some of the key statistics we uncovered: * **Password reuse: 44%** of organizations allow IAM password reuse. * **Weak passwords (\<14 characters)** : **53%** of cloud accounts allow weak password usage. * **Cloud identities are too permissive: 99%** of cloud users, roles, services, and resources were granted excessive permissions which were ultimately left unused (we consider permissions excessive when they go unused for 60 days or more). * **Built-in cloud service provider (CSP) policies are not managed properly by users:** CSP-managed policies are granted **2.5 times more** permissions than customer-managed policies, and most cloud users prefer to use built-in policies. Users are able to reduce the permissions given, but often don't. ![AWS\_CUSTOMER\_MANAGED\_POLICY: 491 permissions; AWS\_INLINE\_POLICY: 634 permissions; AWS\_MANAGED\_POLICY: 2320 permissions; AZURE\_BUILT\_IN\_ROLE: 2318 permissions; AZURE\_CUSTOM\_ROLE: 1317 permissions.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/word-image-22.png) Figure 2. Average number of permissions granted by each policy type. CSP-managed policies (AWS\_MANAGED\_POLICY and AZURE\_BUILT\_IN\_ROLE) grant 2.5 times more permissions than customer-managed policies. With organizations allowing excessive permissions and overly permissive policies, attackers are too often welcomed into an organization's cloud environment with keys to the kingdom. ### How Cloud Threat Actors Target Cloud Identities Most organizations are unprepared for an attack through the exploitation of weak IAM policies. Adversaries know this as well; they target cloud IAM credentials and are ultimately able to collect these credentials as part of their standard operating procedures. Case in point, they're leveraging new TTPs unique to cloud platforms that organizations need to be aware of in order to implement a strategy to protect themselves. ### Defense Against IAM Cloud Threats To help organizations defend themselves against this threat, we created an industry-first Cloud Threat Actor Index that can be found in [our report](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/unit-42-cloud-threat-report-volume-6.html), which charts the operations performed by actor groups that target cloud infrastructure. These charts detail the TTPs of each cloud threat actor, allowing your security team and wider organization to evaluate your strategic defenses and build the proper monitoring, detection, alerting and prevention mechanisms. ### Who Is Targeting the Cloud? The **Cloud Threat Actor Index** highlights the top actors targeting cloud infrastructure, as well as nation-state actors that have been known to use the cloud to conduct attacks. Below is a preview of the top cloud threat actors that we've indexed. We charted their operations in our report, sorted by prevalence. #### Top 5 Cloud Threat Actors * \*\*TeamTNT:\*\*The most well-known and sophisticated credential targeting group. * \*\*WatchDog:\*\*Considered to be an opportunistic threat group that targets exposed cloud instances and applications. * **Kinsing:** Financially motivated and opportunistic cloud threat actor with heavy potential for cloud credential collection. * \*\*Rocke:\*\*Specializes in ransomware and cryptojacking operations within cloud environments. * **8220:** Monero mining group, purportedly elevated their mining operations by exploiting Log4j in December 2021. #### Top Advanced Persistent Threats Utilizing and Targeting Cloud Infrastructure * APT 28 (Fancy Bear). * APT 29 (Cozy Bear). * APT 41 (Gadolinium). ![WatchDog Cloud Threat Actor TTPs: Execution - T1610 - Deploy Container; Privilege Escalation - T1611 - Escape to Host; Defense Evasion - T1562 - Impair Defenses, T1562.001 - Impair Defenses: Impair Command History Logging, T1562.004 - Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify System Firewall, T1562.007 - Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify Cloud Firewall, T1562.008 - Impair Defenses: Disable Cloud Logs, T1610 - Deploy Container; Credential Access - T1528 - Steal Application Access Token, T1552 - Unsecured Credentials, T1552.001 - Unsecured Credentials: Credentials in Files, T1552.003 - Unsecured Credentials: Bash History, T1552.004 - Unsecured Credentials: Private Keys, T1552.005 - Unsecured Credentials: Cloud Instance Metadata API, T1552.007 - Unsecured Credentials: Container API; Discovery - T1046 - Network Service Scanning, T1518 - Software Discovery, T1518.001 - Software Discovery: Security Software Discovery, T1613 - Container and Resource Discovery](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/word-image-23.png) Figure 3. WatchDog Cloud Threat Actor TTPs. The red background denotes TTPs specific to cloud platforms, whereas the green background denotes TTPs which are container-platform specific. TTPs in red font denote operations that can lead to the wider compromise of cloud operations. ## Recommendations Proper IAM configuration can block unintended access, provide visibility into cloud activities and reduce the impact when security incidents occur. ### Defense Against Cloud Threats In particular, we recommend that organizations defend against threats that target the cloud in the following ways: * Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) suite integration. * Harden IAM permissions. * Increase security automation. In our report we provide details on each of these recommendations, including an eight-step best practices guide to hardening IAM permissions. [Download your copy of the report](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/unit-42-cloud-threat-report-volume-6.html) today and [share the executive summary](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/research/executive-summary-unit-42-cloud-threat-report-volume-6) with your colleagues. ## Additional Resources * [Cloud Security Weakens as More Organizations Fail to Secure IAM](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iam-misconfigurations/) * [Misconfigured IAM Roles Lead to Thousands of Compromised Cloud Workloads](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iam-roles-compromised-workloads/) * [The Role of Zero Trust for Cloud Identities and Infrastructure](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/prisma-cloud/identities-and-infrastructure/) Back to top ### Tags * [8220](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/8220/ "8220") * [APT 28](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/apt-28/ "APT 28") * [APT 29](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/apt-29/ "APT 29") * [APT 41](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/apt-41/ "APT 41") * [Cloud configuration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-configuration/ "cloud configuration") * [Cloud threat actors](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-threat-actors/ "cloud threat actors") * [Cozy Bear](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cozy-bear/ "Cozy Bear") * [Fancy Bear](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fancy-bear/ "Fancy Bear") * [Gadolinium](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/gadolinium/ "Gadolinium") * [IAM](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/iam/ "IAM") * [Kinsing](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/kinsing/ "Kinsing") * [Rocke](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/rocke/ "Rocke") * [TeamTnT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/teamtnt/ "TeamTnT") * [WatchDog](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/watchdog/ "WatchDog") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Trends in Web Threats: Attackers Were More Active During Holiday Season](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/web-threats-malicious-host-urls/ "Trends in Web Threats: Attackers Were More Active During Holiday Season") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [The Global Namespace Risk: Universal Bucket Hijacking Technique for Cloud Data Exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-bucket-hijacking-risks/ "article - table of contents") * [Essential Data Sources for Detection Beyond the Endpoint](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/detection-beyond-the-endpoint/ "article - table of contents") * [Cracks in the Bedrock: Agent God Mode](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/exploit-of-aws-agentcore-iam-god-mode/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Cloud Cybersecurity Research Resources ![Pictorial representation of bucket hijacking technique for cloud data exfiltration. Digital illustration of Europe map highlighting network connections and nodes, depicted as glowing points and lines on a dark blue background, emphasizing major cities and connectivity across the continent.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/09_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) June 22, 2026 [#### The Global Namespace Risk: Universal Bucket Hijacking Technique for Cloud Data Exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-bucket-hijacking-risks/) * [AWS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aws/ "AWS") * [Bucket hijacking](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bucket-hijacking/ "bucket hijacking") * [Cloud data exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-data-exfiltration/ "cloud data exfiltration") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-bucket-hijacking-risks/ "The Global Namespace Risk: Universal Bucket Hijacking Technique for Cloud Data Exfiltration") ![Pictorial representation of Vertex AI model uploads. Close-up view of a digital wall displaying various glowing icons, representing a high-tech network interface.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1270203474-1-786x354.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) June 16, 2026 [#### Pickle in the Middle -- Hijacking Vertex AI Model Uploads for Cross-Tenant RCE](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/hijacking-vertex-ai-model/) * [Bucket squatting](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bucket-squatting/ "bucket squatting") * [Google Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-cloud/ "Google Cloud") * [Joblib](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/joblib/ "joblib") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/hijacking-vertex-ai-model/ "Pickle in the Middle – Hijacking Vertex AI Model Uploads for Cross-Tenant RCE") ![Pictorial representation of Cloud Logging services for defense evasion. A vibrant digital illustration depicting a glowing, neon blue cloud symbol positioned over a circuit board landscape. The cloud symbolizes cloud computing technology, and the landscape features intricate electronic circuits with glowing lines and nodes, suggesting high-tech data transfer and connectivity.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/11_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) June 9, 2026 [#### Blinding the Watchmen: Abusing Cloud Logging Services for Defense Evasion and Visibility](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-logging-defense-evasion/) * [AWS CloudTrail](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aws-cloudtrail/ "AWS CloudTrail") * [Cloud logging](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud-logging/ "cloud logging") * [Defense evasion](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/defense-evasion/ "defense evasion") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-logging-defense-evasion/ "Blinding the Watchmen: Abusing Cloud Logging Services for Defense Evasion and Visibility") ![Pictorial representation of ROADtools framework in the cloud. An Asian man wearing glasses sits in front of a computer screen. Reflecting in the glasses are lines indicating analysis. Bright blue city lights illuminate the rest of the image.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/10_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-1-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) May 22, 2026 [#### Paved With Intent: ROADtools and Nation-State Tactics in the Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/roadtools-cloud-attacks/) * [Curious Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/curious-serpens/ "Curious Serpens") * [Entra ID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/entra-id/ "Entra ID") * [Microsoft Azure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-azure/ "Microsoft Azure") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/roadtools-cloud-attacks/ "Paved With Intent: ROADtools and Nation-State Tactics in the Cloud") ![Pictorial representation of autonomous AI attack in cloud environments. Digital illustration of a glowing blue brain connected to a network of lines and lights.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/12_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) April 23, 2026 [#### Can AI Attack the Cloud? Lessons From Building an Autonomous Cloud Offensive Multi-Agent System](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/autonomous-ai-cloud-attacks/) * [AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai/ "AI") * [Cloud](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloud/ "Cloud") * [Data exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/data-exfiltration/ "data exfiltration") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/autonomous-ai-cloud-attacks/ "Can AI Attack the Cloud? Lessons From Building an Autonomous Cloud Offensive Multi-Agent System") ![Pictorial representation of passwordless authentication. Futuristic cityscape with skyscrapers surrounded by glowing, neon-lit pathways and digital clouds. The sky is vibrant with pink and orange hues, giving a surreal, cyberpunk aesthetic.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/02_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) March 23, 2026 [#### Google Cloud Authenticator: The Hidden Mechanisms of Passwordless Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/passwordless-authentication/) * [Google](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google/ "Google") * [Google authenticator](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-authenticator/ "google authenticator") * [Google Chrome](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/google-chrome/ "Google Chrome") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/passwordless-authentication/ "Google Cloud Authenticator: The Hidden Mechanisms of Passwordless Authentication") ![Close-up of a black woman with glasses examining colorful computer code on a screen. The scene is illuminated by various lights, creating a focused and analytical atmosphere.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/13_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) February 6, 2026 [#### Novel Technique to Detect Cloud Threat Actor Operations](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tracking-threat-groups-through-cloud-logging/) * [API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api/ "API") * [IAM](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/iam/ "IAM") * [MITRE](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mitre/ "MITRE") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tracking-threat-groups-through-cloud-logging/ "Novel Technique to Detect Cloud Threat Actor Operations") ![Pictorial representation of Azure OpenAI DNS resolution issue. Futuristic cityscape illustration with luminous structures and floating cloud elements, showcasing advanced technology and a dynamic, digitally enhanced environment.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/02_DNS_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) January 20, 2026 [#### DNS OverDoS: Are Private Endpoints Too Private?](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dos-attacks-and-azure-private-endpoint/) * [Microsoft Azure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-azure/ "Microsoft Azure") * [Networking](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/networking/ "networking") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dos-attacks-and-azure-private-endpoint/ "DNS OverDoS: Are Private Endpoints Too Private?") ![Pictorial representation of cloud discovery with AzureHound. A digital representation of a cloud composed of blue light particles, superimposed over a blurred background of server racks in a data center.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/08_Cloud_cybersecurity_research_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) October 24, 2025 [#### Cloud Discovery With AzureHound](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-actor-misuse-of-azurehound/) * [Control plane](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/control-plane/ "control plane") * [Curious Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/curious-serpens/ "Curious Serpens") * [Data plane](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/data-plane/ "data plane") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-actor-misuse-of-azurehound/ "Cloud Discovery With AzureHound") ![Pictorial representation of a gift card fraud campaign. A glowing skull and crossbones on a circuit board.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/07_Cybercrime_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) October 22, 2025 [#### Jingle Thief: Inside a Cloud-Based Gift Card Fraud Campaign](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-based-gift-card-fraud-campaign/) * [CL‑CRI‑1032](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-1032/ "CL‑CRI‑1032") * [Microsoft](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft/ "Microsoft") * [Phishing](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/phishing/ "phishing") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cloud-based-gift-card-fraud-campaign/ "Jingle Thief: Inside a Cloud-Based Gift Card Fraud Campaign") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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