State-sponsored Cyberspies

 

FireEye have discovered an attack campaign that injects computer profiling & tracking scripts into over 100 security- sensitive Russian  websites.

Web analytics and tracking cookies play a vital role in online advertising, but they can also help attackers discover potential targets and their weaknesses, a new report shows.

Security researchers from FireEye have discovered an attack campaign that has injected computer profiling and tracking scripts into over 100 websites visited by business executives, diplomats, government officials and academic researchers.

The researchers believe the compromised websites attract visitors involved in international business travel, diplomacy, energy production and policy, international economics and official government work. They include sites belonging to embassies, educational and research institutions, governments, visa services, energy companies, media organizations and non-profit organizations.

While no exploits or malicious code have been served through the injected scripts, the goal of the attackers appears to be the identification of unique users who can be targeted with attacks tailored for their specific computer and software configurations. FireEye has named the reconnaissance campaign WITCHCOVEN and believe that it's the work of state-sponsored attackers.

When users visit one of the compromised websites, their browsers get silently redirected to one of several WITCHCOVEN profiling servers. Scripts hosted on those servers collect information like the user's IP address, their browser type and version, the language setting, the referring website, the version of Microsoft Office and browser plug-ins like Java, Flash Player, etc.

In addition, they also install so-called supercookies or evercookies inside users' browsers. These cookies are hard to delete and are used to track users across multiple websites.
"We believe that the computer profiling data gathered by the WITCHCOVEN script, combined with the evercookie that persistently identifies a unique user, can, when combined with basic browser data available from HTTP logs, be used by cyber threat actors to identify users of interest, and narrowly target those individuals with exploits specifically tailored to vulnerabilities in their computer system," the FireEye researchers said in their report.

The company has not detected any follow-up exploitation attempts against its customers so far, but this could be because the attackers use a highly targeted approach to victim selection.
The subsequent exploits could be embedded in malicious documents attached to email spear phishing messages and not necessarily be served through a browser. The gathered information could also be used to assist in traditional spying operations.

Some of the compromised websites suggest that the attackers may have a particular interest in individuals associated with a major Russian energy company, Russian cultural organizations, Russian embassies, Ukraine's security services and border guards and a media organization in the Republic of Georgia, the FireEye researchers said.

Computerworld

 

« Low-tech Coppers in the UK
Mystery Fingers on Keyboard in JPMorgan Hack »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Research Institute in Science of Cyber Security (RISCS)

Research Institute in Science of Cyber Security (RISCS)

RISCS is focused on giving organisations more evidence, to allow them to make better decisions, aiding to the development of cybersecurity as a science.

Opscura

Opscura

Opscura (formerly Enigmedia) brings the reliable and cautious hands of operations together with the analytical minds of cyber experts and cryptography researchers.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

IAI offers a holistic approach that provides defense forces, governments, critical infrastructures and large enterprises with end-to-end cyber security & monitoring tools.

VivoSecurity

VivoSecurity

VivoSecurity is a pioneer in cyber risk quantification based on data science. Our products and services help organizations achieve optimal information security and GRC programs.

SEPPmail

SEPPmail

SEPPmail is a patented e-mail encryption solution to secure your electronic communication.

Austrian Trust Circle

Austrian Trust Circle

Austrian Trust Circle is an initiative of CERT.at and the Austrian Federal Chancellery and consists of Security Information Exchanges in the areas of the strategic information infrastructure.

Asset Guardian Solutions (AGSL)

Asset Guardian Solutions (AGSL)

Asset Guardian are dedicated to protecting the integrity of process control systems software that is used to control operations and production processes.

WWPass

WWPass

WWPass is a global cybersecurity company that provides password-less authentication and client-side encryption technology.

Octane OC

Octane OC

OCTANe is building the SoCal of tomorrow. We drive innovation and growth by connecting people, resources and capital. Our Incubator focus is FinTech, Data Analytics and Cybersecurity.

CICRA Consultancies

CICRA Consultancies

Cicra Consultancies is a company that specializes in cyber security. Our major activities are guided by three main principles: Prevent, Investigate, Prosecute.

Resilience Cyber insurance

Resilience Cyber insurance

Resilience helps to improve cyber resilience by connecting cyber insurance coverage with advanced cybersecurity visibility and a shared plan to reinforce great cyber hygiene.

Prophaze Technologies

Prophaze Technologies

Prophaze enable organizations and SaaS providers to improve their web application cybersecurity and reduce costs through AI automation.

KBE Information Security

KBE Information Security

KBE is a global consulting firm, with offices in Toronto and Milan, which specializes in the area of IT and information security with over 20 years of experience.

CYBHORUS

CYBHORUS

CYBHORUS are a team of Italian cyber security experts, specialized in cyber threat defense and strategic and organizational consulting.

Allure Security

Allure Security

Allure Security AI-driven brand protection scans more of the online world for faster, more accurate detection & removal of spoof websites, social media & mobile apps -- before customers fall victim.

Astran

Astran

At Astran, we revolutionize data security by introducing a groundbreaking solution for data confidentiality headaches.