Recent cybersecurity investigations have revealed a series of infiltration attempts by a Russian-affiliated hacking group known as Gamaredon, targeting Ukrainian entities as early as July 2021. Broadcom subsidiary Symantec released findings on Monday highlighting the group’s consistent activity in cyberespionage, a pattern they’ve maintained since at least 2013.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies previously classified Gamaredon as a “special project” under Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), citing responsibility for over 5,000 attacks aimed at government bodies and critical infrastructure in the region. These events continue to escalate tensions amid ongoing geopolitical strife.
The modus operandi of Gamaredon’s attacks often begins with phishing emails that deceive recipients into downloading a tailored remote access trojan, known as Pterodo. Symantec disclosed that between mid-July and late August 2021, the group was able to install various iterations of its backdoor, in addition to deploying a suite of auxiliary scripts and tools.
A critical component of their attack chain initiates with a malicious document, likely sent through a phishing vector. Once the document is opened on an infected machine, the group exploits the compromised environment to download and execute a VNC client, allowing remote access via a command-and-control server. This strategy aligns with tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly in the categories of initial access and persistence.
Following the installation of this VNC client—identified as the ultimate payload of the attack—Gamaredon agents were observed navigating through various documents, ranging from job descriptions to confidential corporate information. This highlights their objective of collecting sensitive data rather than simply causing disruption.
Concerns Over Deceptive Cyber Operations
The revelations come amid a series of aggressive cyber operations targeting Ukrainian organizations, including the deployment of a destructive wiper malware dubbed WhisperGate. Investigations into these incidents suggest a complex narrative, with indications that some of these attacks may have been intended as false flag operations.
In particular, the recent wiper campaign was found to utilize code originally repurposed from a ransomware operation intended for Russian victims in March 2021. This ransomware notably features a trident symbol aligned with Ukraine’s national emblem in its ransom note, raising suspicions regarding the authenticity of its motives and the potential for blame-shifting within ongoing conflicts. This aspect underscores the need for heightened vigilance in recognizing the deceptive tactics employed by adversaries.
Current geopolitical tensions have led to increased scrutiny of cyber operations, especially as they relate to national security. Understanding the tactics and techniques used by threat actors like Gamaredon through frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK is crucial for organizations seeking to defend against similar intrusions. It is imperative for business owners to remain aware of evolving cybersecurity threats and to implement comprehensive security measures to mitigate risk.
