Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/29/commercial_spyware_russia_mongolia/
Source: The Register
Title: Oh, great. Attacks developed by spyware vendors are being re-used by Russia’s Cozy Bear cretins
Feedly Summary: Google researchers note the similarities, can’t find a link
Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) has spotted a disturbing similarity in attack tactics used by commercial spyware vendors and Russia-linked attack gangs.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text highlights the alarming connections between tactics employed by commercial spyware vendors and a state-sponsored Russian hacking group, APT29. The mention of watering hole attacks against legitimate websites and the use of exploits targeting mobile operating systems underscores significant vulnerabilities that security professionals should be aware of, especially regarding mobile device security and the implications of commercial spyware in global cybersecurity.
Detailed Description:
– **Threat Analysis Insights**:
– Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) has observed an alarming resemblance in the tactics used by Russia-linked cyber attackers and commercial spyware vendors.
– A notable example includes a watering hole attack attributed to the APT29 group, targeting Mongolia’s Cabinet server and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
– **Background on APT29**:
– APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, is affiliated with the Russian government and has a history of cyber intrusions, including the 2016 attack against the US Democratic National Committee and the SolarWinds incident.
– They have been implicated in subsequent high-profile attacks, demonstrating a consistent ability to exploit vulnerabilities.
– **Technical Details of Attacks**:
– The watering hole attack involved embedding malicious code within legitimate websites to exploit specific vulnerabilities—specifically targeting mobile operating systems.
– TAG highlighted that the exploits used in this attack were strikingly similar to those offered by commercial surveillance vendors such as NSO Group and Intellexa.
– **Commercial Spyware Vendors**:
– The increasing scrutiny and legal action against commercial spyware vendors is noteworthy. Examples include:
– Meta suing NSO Group for hacking incidents.
– Apple’s actions against NSO due to its surveillance software.
– Intellexa facing US Treasury sanctions after its software was discovered being used against American governmental officials.
– **Vulnerabilities Exploited**:
– The text discusses the timeline of the watering hole attack, which exploited vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-41993, patched by Apple after being exploited by NSO Group.
– Subsequent attacks by APT29 leveraged Android’s V8 JavaScript engine flaw shortly after it was patched.
– **Implications for Security Professionals**:
– The findings stress the critical need for vigilance regarding the overlap between commercial spyware tools and state-sponsored attacks.
– Watering hole attacks pose significant risks to individuals and organizations, particularly those interacting with government websites or sensitive data.
– Continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities in both commercial software and mobile devices is essential to mitigate risks and defend against sophisticated cyber threats.
In conclusion, this text highlights the intersecting issues of commercial spyware and state-sponsored cyber threats, underlining the intricate dynamics of modern cybersecurity threats. Security and compliance professionals must remain aware of these trends to fortify defenses against potential attacks.