Threat Intelligence Report: Suspicious Activity from 204.76.203.18

1. Executive Summary

This report analyzes suspicious network activity originating from IP address 204.76.203.18. The activity, observed between October 15th and 16th, 2025, consists of numerous GET requests targeting specific directories (“/backup/”, “/bin/”, “/bins/”) on a server located at 68.106.110.168. While the IP is currently categorized as “low_risk,” the repeated probing for backup directories and executable bins warrants further investigation. The requests originate from a host within the “Intelligence Hosting LLC” network, which is flagged for “Data Center/Web Hosting/Transit” usage. This activity could be indicative of reconnaissance attempts preceding a more sophisticated attack, potentially leading to data exfiltration or system compromise. Given the nature of the targeted directories, the risk is elevated and requires immediate attention. We recommend blocking the IP address and further investigating the target server for signs of compromise.

2. Threat Overview

The observed activity strongly suggests a reconnaissance phase of a potential attack. The attacker is attempting to identify accessible backup directories and potentially executable binaries on the target server. The “Unknown” user-agent string in the requests makes attribution difficult and likely represents an attempt to evade detection. The repetition of requests to the same directories indicates a focused effort to discover vulnerabilities or sensitive information. The low request volume (18 requests in total) and “low_risk” reputation of the source IP may be a deliberate tactic to remain under the radar and avoid triggering security alerts. The targeting of /backup/ suggests the attacker is looking for sensitive data that could be used for extortion, identity theft, or other malicious purposes. The targeting of /bin/ and /bins/ suggests the attacker is looking for executable files that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to the system. The fact that the source IP is associated with a hosting provider increases the likelihood that it is being used for malicious purposes, as these providers are often used by attackers to mask their true location.

3. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

Indicator Type	Indicator Value	Description
IP Address (Source)	204.76.203.18	Source of the suspicious requests. Block this IP at the perimeter.
IP Address (Destination)	68.106.110.168	Target server. Investigate this server for signs of compromise.
URL Path	/backup/	Targeted directory, potentially containing sensitive backup files. Monitor access to this directory.
URL Path	/bin/	Targeted directory, potentially containing executable files. Monitor access to this directory.
URL Path	/bins/	Targeted directory, potentially containing executable files. Monitor access to this directory.
User-Agent	Unknown	User-agent string used in the requests. This should be considered suspicious.
Domain	pfcloud.io	Domain associated with the source IP address. Monitor this domain for malicious activity.
Hostname	hosted-by.pfcloud.io	Hostname associated with the source IP address. Monitor this hostname for malicious activity.
Timestamp (First Seen)	2025-10-15T00:36:02.006357	First observed instance of suspicious activity.
Timestamp (Last Seen)	2025-10-16T15:26:03.420352	Last observed instance of suspicious activity.
Network	Intelligence Hosting LLC	ISP associated with the source IP.
Country	NL	Country associated with the source IP.

4. Attack Patterns and Techniques

The observed activity aligns with the following attack patterns and techniques, as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework:

TA0007: Discovery (Reconnaissance): The attacker is actively probing the target server to gather information about its file structure and potential vulnerabilities. This includes:
- T1082: System Information Discovery: The attacker may be attempting to gather information about the operating system, patch level, and installed software.
- T1083: File and Directory Discovery: The requests to specific directories indicate an attempt to enumerate files and directories on the target system.
TA0006: Credential Access: While not directly observed, successful access to backup directories could lead to the discovery of credentials stored within backup files.
TA0009: Collection: The attacker is attempting to identify and access sensitive data, potentially for later exfiltration.
T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application: The attacker might be looking for vulnerabilities in the web application running on the target server.

The attacker is likely following these steps:

Initial Reconnaissance: Identifying potential targets and gathering basic information.
Directory Enumeration: Probing for specific directories known to contain sensitive information or executable files.
Vulnerability Assessment: Analyzing the contents of the discovered directories for potential vulnerabilities.
Exploitation: Exploiting any identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the system.
Data Exfiltration: Stealing sensitive data from the compromised system.

To further investigate, I will use the search_threat_intelligence tool to search for related attack campaigns and techniques.

5. Vulnerability Assessment

The primary vulnerability being targeted is the potential for insecure storage of sensitive information within the /backup/ directory. This could include:

Unencrypted backups: Backups that are not encrypted can be easily accessed and compromised if they fall into the wrong hands.
Stored credentials: Backup files may contain usernames, passwords, and other credentials that can be used to gain unauthorized access to the system.
Sensitive data: Backup files may contain sensitive data such as customer information, financial records, and trade secrets.

Additionally, the attacker may be looking for executable files in /bin/ and /bins/ that have known vulnerabilities or can be exploited through techniques such as:

Path Traversal: Exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to access files outside of the intended web root.
Command Injection: Injecting malicious commands into web applications to execute arbitrary code on the server.

6. Mitigation and Recommendations

Based on the observed activity, the following mitigation and recommendations are advised:

Immediate Actions:
- Block the source IP address (204.76.203.18) at the firewall and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). This will prevent further reconnaissance attempts from this IP.
- Investigate the target server (68.106.110.168) for signs of compromise. This includes checking system logs, file integrity, and running malware scans.
- Monitor access to the /backup/, /bin/, and /bins/ directories on the target server. This will help to detect any unauthorized access attempts.
Short-Term Actions:
- Review and strengthen the security of the /backup/ directory. This includes ensuring that backups are encrypted, access is restricted to authorized personnel only, and regular security audits are conducted.
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to protect against common web application attacks. This will help to prevent attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in the web application running on the target server.
- Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to detect and block malicious activity. This will help to prevent attackers from gaining unauthorized access to the system.
Long-Term Actions:
- Implement a comprehensive security awareness training program for employees. This will help to educate employees about the risks of phishing, malware, and other cyber threats.
- Develop and implement a robust incident response plan. This will help to ensure that the organization is prepared to respond to a security incident in a timely and effective manner.
- Regularly review and update security policies and procedures. This will help to ensure that the organization’s security posture remains strong over time.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all critical systems and applications. This will help to prevent attackers from gaining unauthorized access to accounts, even if they have stolen usernames and passwords.
- Consider using a threat intelligence platform to stay informed about the latest threats and vulnerabilities. This will help the organization to proactively identify and mitigate potential risks.

7. Threat Actor Attribution

Attribution is difficult due to the “Unknown” user-agent and the use of a hosting provider. However, the targeting of specific directories associated with sensitive data and executable files suggests a financially motivated or espionage-focused threat actor. Further investigation, including analyzing the attacker’s tools and techniques, may provide more clues about their identity and motivations. The fact that the IP is associated with a hosting provider in the Netherlands (NL) does not necessarily indicate the threat actor’s location, as they may be using the hosting provider to mask their true location.

8. Confidence Level

The confidence level in this assessment is Medium. While the observed activity is suspicious and warrants further investigation, there is currently no definitive evidence of a successful compromise. The “low_risk” reputation of the source IP and the low request volume suggest that the attacker may be attempting to remain under the radar. However, the targeting of sensitive directories and the use of an “Unknown” user-agent raise concerns and require immediate attention.

9. Next Steps

Continue monitoring the source IP address (204.76.203.18) for further activity.
Conduct a thorough investigation of the target server (68.106.110.168) for signs of compromise.
Share this report with relevant stakeholders, including security operations, incident response, and IT management.
Update threat intelligence feeds with the identified IOCs.
Search for similar activity targeting other assets within the organization’s network.

10. Appendix

IP Address Reputation Report: (Included in the initial data)
MITRE ATT&CK Framework: https://attack.mitre.org/
Search Threat Intelligence Tool Results: (Results from the search_threat_intelligence tool will be appended here after execution. This should include any related attack campaigns, techniques, and threat actor profiles.)