HOMETHREATSPink Sandstorm
APT / THREAT GROUP🕵️ ESPIONAGEADVANCED

Pink Sandstorm

🇮🇷Iran-attributed
1
campaigns
9
aliases
Last seen:Mar 17, 2026

Intelligence Profile

Agonizing Serpens is an Iranian-linked APT group that has been active since 2020. They are known for their destructive wiper and fake-ransomware attacks, primarily targeting Israeli organizations in the education and technology sectors. The group has strong connections to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security and has been observed using various tools and techniques to bypass security measures. They aim to steal sensitive information, including PII and intellectual property, and inflict damage by wiping endpoints.

Threat Analysis

Pink Sandstorm is a advanced-sophistication threat actor attributed to Iran, 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, Pink Sandstorm 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

Pink Sandstorm — Active Operations March 2026

Pink Sandstorm is a espionage threat actor attributed to Iran. Agonizing Serpens is an Iranian-linked APT group that has been active since 2020. They are known for their destructive wiper and fake-ransomware attacks, primarily targeting Israeli organizations in the education and technology sectors. The group has strong connections to Iran's ...

ACTIVEHIGH2026

External References

Quick Facts

TypeAPT / Threat Group
Motivation🕵️ espionage
Sophisticationadvanced
Origin🇮🇷 Iran
Aliases9
SourceMalpedia

Also Known As

Pink SandstormBlack ShadowAgriusSPECTRAL KITTENAMERICIUMUNC2428DEV-0022BlackShadowAgonizing Serpens

Research Links

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