Targeting of Russian iPhone users
Date of report
  • June 2023
Affiliations
  • Attributed by Russian security services to the U.S. National Security Agency 
In June, cybersecurity company Kaspersky announced that it was targeted by an advanced threat actor that compromised several Apple iOS devices in the company using zero-click exploits sent in text messages. Follow-up reporting indicates the threat actor used at least four zero-day exploits in the attack and exploited a previously unknown hardware flaw in Apple M1 and M2 chips. The Russian Federal Security Service said the attack also compromised diplomatic personnel in Russia; they attributed the attack to the U.S. National Security Agency.
Suspected victims
  • Cybersecurity company Kaspersky and diplomatic missions in Russia
Suspected state sponsor
  • United States
Type of incident
  • Espionage
Target category
  • Government
  • Private sector
Victim government reaction
  • Yes
Policy response
Suspected state sponsor response