HOMETHREATSAridViper
APT / THREAT GROUP🕵️ ESPIONAGEADVANCED

AridViper

🇵🇸PS-attributed
1
campaigns
6
aliases
Last seen:Mar 17, 2026

Intelligence Profile

AridViper is a state-sponsored APT primarily targeting military personnel, journalists, and dissidents in the Middle East, with a focus on Israel and Palestine. The group employs custom-developed mobile malware, including variants like AridSpy, GnatSpy, and Micropsia, often delivered through spear-phishing emails and deceptive applications. Their operations involve sophisticated social engineering tactics, including the use of fake social media profiles and weaponized apps masquerading as legitimate services. AridViper's activities are characterized by a blend of technical sophistication and psychological manipulation, aiming to exfiltrate sensitive data from compromised systems.

Threat Analysis

AridViper is a advanced-sophistication threat actor attributed to PS, engaged in cyber operations with a primary motivation of espionage.

The group's espionage-oriented operations suggest a state-sponsored or state-aligned mandate, typically focused on stealing intellectual property, government secrets, or military intelligence. Targets are usually selected for strategic value rather than financial gain.

Classified as an advanced threat actor, AridViper likely develops or acquires zero-day exploits, employs custom malware toolchains, and demonstrates long-term persistence capabilities — hallmarks of a well-resourced operation consistent with nation-state backing.

Known Campaigns

AridViper — Active Operations March 2026

AridViper is a espionage threat actor attributed to PS. AridViper is a state-sponsored APT primarily targeting military personnel, journalists, and dissidents in the Middle East, with a focus on Israel and Palestine. The group employs custom-developed mobile malware, including variants like AridSpy, GnatSpy, and Micropsia, often deliv...

ACTIVEHIGH2026

External References

Quick Facts

TypeAPT / Threat Group
Motivation🕵️ espionage
Sophisticationadvanced
Origin🇵🇸 PS
Aliases6
SourceMalpedia

Also Known As

AridViperTwo-tailed ScorpionDesert FalconBearded BarbieArid ViperAPT-C-23

Research Links

Data sourced from Malpedia, Ransomware.live, RansomLook, and CTIWATCH OSINT collection. Actor attribution is based on available intelligence and may be incomplete.
AridViper — APT / Threat Group | Threat Intelligence | CTIWATCH.COM