Critical Infrastructure Security, Threat Intelligence, Malware

Cyberespionage campaign hits India

indianflag_thumb1_379931

India had several of its government agencies and energy industry organizations subjected to cyberespionage attacks delivering the HackBrowserData information-stealing malware as part of the new Operation FlightNight campaign identified earlier this month, according to The Record, a news site by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future.

Nearly 9 GB of data, including internal files, cached web browser data, and private email conversations, have been exfiltrated in the cyberespionage campaign, which involved the delivery of an Indian Air Force-spoofing PDF document containing a shortcut deploying the HackBrowserData payload, a report from EcleticIQ revealed.

Despite not being linked to a specific hacking group, such an attack campaign was noted to be associated with a January GoStealer malware attack targeted at Indian Air Force officials that also sought to compromise browser data, suggesting a similar threat actor.

"Operation FlightNight and the GoStealer campaign highlight a simple yet effective approach by threat actors to use open-source tools for cyber espionage," said researchers.

Get daily email updates

SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news

By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You can skip this ad in 5 seconds