Kremlin Hacking Group Targets Diplomats

Russian FSB group Turla exploits ISPs to target foreign diplomats with malware.

Kremlin Hacking Group Uses ISPs to Deploy Spyware

The FSB-linked hacking group Turla has developed a new strategy for cyber espionage, leveraging its control over Russian internet service providers. Reports from a Microsoft security team reveal that Turla, also known as Snake, has managed to manipulate web traffic to infect foreign diplomats’ computers in Moscow. By using techniques involving captive portals, Turla tricked victims into downloading a malicious software purportedly meant to update their web browser’s security features. This software, identified as ApolloShadow, disables encryption on the affected devices, making sensitive communications vulnerable.

Turla's actions signal a significant shift in hacking tactics, blending conventional espionage with digital intrusion techniques. By targeting ISPs and leveraging their control over internet access, Turla blurs the divide between passive surveillance and active hacking. This marks a new chapter in state-sponsored cyber tactics, demonstrating the potential for governments to misuse telecom infrastructure for espionage. The implications for international relations and cybersecurity are profound, as foreign diplomats unwittingly become targets in the digital battlefield.

Highlights

The evolution of such tactics raises urgent questions about diplomatic security and the integrity of communications.