• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
AskCyber Home » News » data privacy » Russian Threat Actors Targeting Governments with Malware

Russian Threat Actors Targeting Governments with Malware

2020-09-22 by Michelle Dvorak

Russian Fancy Bear Zebrocy

Fancy Bear Hackers Using NATO Themed Files to Attack with Malware

A Russian state-sponsored threat group is attacking governments with malware. The hackers disguise their malicious files as NATO graining materials. The malware is used for system reconnaissance, file creation, file modification, screenshots, arbitrary command execution, and creating Windows scheduled tasks.

The attack likely started on 5 August is appears to be the work of APT28, or Fancy Bear, a Russian hacking organization that works with cyber espionage.

The malware is a variation of Zebrocy Delphi malware which was first spotted by cyber security researchers at Qi’anxin Red Raindrops. QuoINT security researchers found the malware in use against government sector customers and reported it to French law enforcement bodies.

Zebrocy malware was compressed in a zip file with the title Course 5 – 16 October 2020.zipx. According to QuoINT, the file is actually a .jpg image file with a zip file concatenated to it. In addition, it has the MIME type  of “image/jpeg” which helps it evade detection by antivirus software and email gateways.

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Considering the lure uses a NATO image, the attackers likely picked the filenames in order to leverage upcoming NATO courses in October 2020. Additionally, the Excel file (XLS) is corrupted and cannot be opened by Microsoft Excel, it contains – what seems to be – information about military personnel involved in the military mission “African Union Mission for Somalia” says QuoINT.

If the file extension is changed to .jpg it shows the log of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) which is NATO’s Allied Command Operations (ACO) located in Belgium.

After a machine is infected the malware creates a scheduled task that exfiltrates stolen data to a server hosted in France and controlled by APT28.

Advanced Persistent Threat Group 28

An advanced persistent threat group (APT) is organized hackers that work at the behest of a government. Often, they focus on cyber espionage, certain business sectors, politicians, or to steal money to fund other initiatives. APT organizations tend to focus and one area of the world or on a particular goal. They are often associated with their own malware commonly used in their cyberattacks as well as other indicators better common to their campaigns.

The threat actors are tracked with the moniker of Advanced Persistent Threat Group 28. They are also referred to as APT28, Fancy Bear, Sofacy, Sednit, and STRONTIUM. Zebrocy is a malware used by Sofacy. APT28 generally targets intelligence on defense and geopolitical issues.

Filed Under: data privacy, News Tagged With: Russia

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile tax scam TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2022 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version