VALIDVICTOR
Intelligence Profile
According to Google, this reconnaissance payload uses a profiling framework drawing canvas to identify the target’s exact iPhone model, a technique used by many other actors. The iPhone model is sent back to the C2 along with screen size, whether or not a touch screen is present, and a unique identifier per initial GET request (e.g., 1lwuzddaxoom5ylli37v90kj).
The server replies with either an AES encrypted next stage or 0, indicating that no payload is available for this device. The payload makes another request to the exploit server with gcr=1 as a parameter to get the AES decryption key from the C2.
Threat Analysis
VALIDVICTOR is a known-sophistication threat actor of undetermined national origin, engaged in cyber operations with a primary motivation of unknown activity patterns.