• Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
MUST READ

Coyote malware is first-ever malware abusing Windows UI Automation

 | 

SonicWall fixed critical flaw in SMA 100 devices exploited in Overstep malware attacks

 | 

DSPM & AI Are Booming: $17.87B and $4.8T Markets by 2033

 | 

Stealth backdoor found in WordPress mu-Plugins folder

 | 

U.S. CISA adds CrushFTP, Google Chromium, and SysAid flaws to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 

U.S. CISA urges FCEB agencies to fix two Microsoft SharePoint flaws immediately and added them to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 

Sophos fixed two critical Sophos Firewall vulnerabilities

 | 

French Authorities confirm XSS.is admin arrested in Ukraine

 | 

Microsoft linked attacks on SharePoint flaws to China-nexus actors

 | 

Cisco confirms active exploitation of ISE and ISE-PIC flaws

 | 

SharePoint under fire: new ToolShell attacks target enterprises

 | 

CrushFTP zero-day actively exploited at least since July 18

 | 

Hardcoded credentials found in HPE Aruba Instant On Wi-Fi devices

 | 

MuddyWater deploys new DCHSpy variants amid Iran-Israel conflict

 | 

U.S. CISA urges to immediately patch Microsoft SharePoint flaw adding it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 

Microsoft issues emergency patches for SharePoint zero-days exploited in "ToolShell" attacks

 | 

SharePoint zero-day CVE-2025-53770 actively exploited in the wild

 | 

Singapore warns China-linked group UNC3886 targets its critical infrastructure

 | 

U.S. CISA adds Fortinet FortiWeb flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 

SECURITY AFFAIRS MALWARE NEWSLETTER ROUND 54

 | 
  • Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
  • Home
  • APT
  • Breaking News
  • Hacking
  • Russia-linked APT Seashell Blizzard is behind the long running global access operation BadPilot campaign

Russia-linked APT Seashell Blizzard is behind the long running global access operation BadPilot campaign

Pierluigi Paganini February 13, 2025

A subgroup of the Russia-linked Seashell Blizzard APT group (aka Sandworm) ran a global multi-year initial access operation called BadPilot.

Microsoft shared findings on research on a subgroup of the Russia-linked APT group Seashell Blizzard behind the global BadPilot campaign, which compromises infrastructure to support Russian cyber operations.

Seashell Blizzard (aka Sandworm, BlackEnergy and TeleBots) has been active since 2000, it operates under the control of Unit 74455 of the Russian GRU’s Main Center for Special Technologies (GTsST).

The group also created the NotPetya ransomware that hit hundreds of companies worldwide in June 2017. In 2022, the Russian APT used multiple wipers in attacks aimed at Ukraine, including AwfulShred, CaddyWiper, HermeticWiper, Industroyer2, IsaacWiper, WhisperGate, Prestige, RansomBoggs, and ZeroWipe. 

On September 2022, the Sandworm group was observed impersonating telecommunication providers to target Ukrainian entities with malware.

Microsoft now spotted the subgroup compromising multiple Internet-facing infrastructures to enable Seashell Blizzard APT group to maintain persistence in the networks of high-value targets and support tailored network operations.

The threat actors targeted organizations worldwide expanding Seashell Blizzard’s scope of operations beyond Eastern Europe.

“This subgroup’s historical pattern of exploitation has also led to the compromise of globally diverse organizations that appear to have limited or no utility to Russia’s strategic interests. This pattern suggests the subgroup likely uses an opportunistic “spray and pray” approach to achieving compromises at scale to increase the likelihood of acquiring access at targets of interest with limited tailored effort.” reads the report published by Microsoft. “In cases where a strategically significant target is compromised, we have observed significant later post-compromise activity. “

Since 2021, Seashell Blizzard’s subgroup has exploited vulnerable infrastructure using scanning tools, evolving TTPs for persistence and lateral movement.

Seashell Blizzard

Microsoft discovered that the subgroup exploited at least eight known vulnerabilities on network perimeters of small office/home office (SOHO) and enterprise networks:

  • JBOSS (exact CVE is unknown)
  • Microsoft Exchange (CVE-2021-34473)
  • Zimbra Collaboration (CVE-2022-41352)
  • OpenFire (CVE-2023-32315)
  • JetBrains TeamCity (CVE-2023-42793)
  • Microsoft Outlook (CVE-2023-23397)
  • Connectwise ScreenConnect (CVE-2024-1709)
  • Fortinet FortiClient EMS (CVE-2023-48788)

In early 2024, the subgroup exploited vulnerabilities in ConnectWise ScreenConnect (CVE-2024-1709) and Fortinet FortiClient EMS (CVE-2023-48788) to deploy RMM tools like Atera and Splashtop to maintain persistence and C2. The attackers also used ShadowLink, a Tor-based persistence method, to evade detection by configuring compromised systems as hidden services. This approach allowed covert access, credential theft, and data exfiltration while bypassing traditional security audits.

Since 2021, Seashell Blizzard’s subgroup has used web shells for persistence, the group was observed exploiting Microsoft Exchange (CVE-2021-34473) and Zimbra (CVE-2022-41352). Their custom web shell, LocalOlive, enables C2, file uploads, and command execution. In mid-2022, they expanded attacks in Central Asia and Europe, targeting strategic entities. They deploy tunneling tools like Chisel and rsockstun for deeper access, using actor-controlled infrastructure to evade detection.

Since late 2021, the subgroup has targeted networks by modifying Outlook Web Access (OWA) sign-in pages and DNS configurations. Attackers inserted rogue JavaScript to capture usernames and passwords in real-time, enhancing lateral movement within networks. This infrastructure technique is versatile, supporting operations globally. The group’s activities align with Russia’s strategic goals, offering scalable access methods for future operations, including in Ukraine and beyond.

“Given that Seashell Blizzard is Russia’s cyber tip of the spear in Ukraine, Microsoft Threat Intelligence assesses that this access subgroup will continue to innovate new horizontally scalable techniques to compromise networks both in Ukraine and globally in support of Russia’s war objectives and evolving national priorities.” concludes the report. “This subgroup, which is characterized within the broader Seashell Blizzard organization by its near-global reach, represents an expansion in both the geographical targeting conducted by Seashell Blizzard and the scope of its operations. “

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Russia)


facebook linkedin twitter

Hacking hacking news information security news IT Information Security Pierluigi Paganini Russia Sandworm Seashell Blizzard Security Affairs Security News

you might also like

Pierluigi Paganini July 24, 2025
Coyote malware is first-ever malware abusing Windows UI Automation
Read more
Pierluigi Paganini July 24, 2025
SonicWall fixed critical flaw in SMA 100 devices exploited in Overstep malware attacks
Read more

leave a comment

newsletter

Subscribe to my email list and stay
up-to-date!

    recent articles

    Coyote malware is first-ever malware abusing Windows UI Automation

    Malware / July 24, 2025

    SonicWall fixed critical flaw in SMA 100 devices exploited in Overstep malware attacks

    Security / July 24, 2025

    DSPM & AI Are Booming: $17.87B and $4.8T Markets by 2033

    Security / July 24, 2025

    Stealth backdoor found in WordPress mu-Plugins folder

    Malware / July 24, 2025

    U.S. CISA adds CrushFTP, Google Chromium, and SysAid flaws to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

    Hacking / July 24, 2025

    To contact me write an email to:

    Pierluigi Paganini :
    pierluigi.paganini@securityaffairs.co

    LEARN MORE

    QUICK LINKS

    • Home
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber warfare
    • APT
    • Data Breach
    • Deep Web
    • Digital ID
    • Hacking
    • Hacktivism
    • Intelligence
    • Internet of Things
    • Laws and regulations
    • Malware
    • Mobile
    • Reports
    • Security
    • Social Networks
    • Terrorism
    • ICS-SCADA
    • POLICIES
    • Contact me

    Copyright@securityaffairs 2024

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT