New Hacking Campaigns Target Indian Officials: Transparent Tribe Hackers Strike Again

This article examines the recent hacking campaigns targeting Indian officials, perpetrated by the notorious Transparent Tribe hackers. Known for their sophisticated tactics, Transparent Tribe hackers utilize a variety of malware families, including CrimsonRAT and ObliqueRAT, in addition to custom malware such as downloaders, droppers, and lightweight RATs. Their modus operandi involves employing diverse strategies to infect their targets, ranging from creating counterfeit domains mirroring legitimate government organizations to delivering malicious payloads through cloned websites. These payloads encompass a Python-based stager, RATs, decoy PDFs, VBS files, and malicious LNK files. Moreover, the hackers have increasingly embraced the use of IMG files to distribute malware, a favored method among Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) and crimeware operators. The delivery mechanisms employed include impersonating installers, archive files, weaponized documents, as well as RATs and trojans disguised as the Kavach MFA application. Notably, the attackers leverage COVID-themed lures and decoys to target Indian government employees. These latest campaigns underscore Transparent Tribe’s persistent pursuit of compromising sensitive information, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

Key Takeaways

• Transparent Tribe hackers have been using multiple malware families, including CrimsonRAT and ObliqueRAT, as well as custom malware, to target Indian officials since at least 2020.
• The hackers employ various delivery methods, such as fake domains, malicious payloads through cloned websites, and the use of IMG files for malware distribution.
• The hackers utilize lures and decoys related to the Kavach MFA application and COVID-themed advisories to target Indian government employees.
• The Transparent Tribe hackers‘ tactics in the SideCopy campaign in July 2021 resembled those of other APT groups, indicating a similarity in their approaches.

Malware Families Used

The hacking campaigns targeting Indian officials by the Transparent Tribe hackers have utilized several malware families, including CrimsonRAT, ObliqueRAT, and custom malware, for their malicious activities. These campaigns have had a significant impact on Indian government cybersecurity measures, showcasing the evolving tactics employed by the Transparent Tribe hackers. CrimsonRAT, a .NET-based implant, has been used since at least 2020 and is known for its stealthy capabilities. ObliqueRAT, a C/C++-based implant discovered in early 2020, specifically targets government officials. Additionally, the hackers employ custom malware that offers downloaders, droppers, and lightweight Remote Access Trojans (RATs) for quick deployment. The use of these malware families demonstrates the sophistication and adaptability of the Transparent Tribe hackers, posing a significant challenge to the security measures of the Indian government.

Infection Chain

Delivering malicious payloads, the infection chain of these hacking campaigns involves the use of fake domains resembling legitimate government organizations and the distribution of malware through cloned websites. To detect and mitigate the use of fake domains in malware delivery, organizations can employ various techniques. One approach is to implement robust domain monitoring systems that can identify and flag suspicious domain registrations or changes. Additionally, organizations can use threat intelligence feeds to stay updated on known malicious domains and block access to them. The rising trend of using COVID-themed lures and decoys in cyber attacks targeting government officials highlights the attackers‘ exploitation of current events and public concerns. To combat this, organizations should educate their employees about the risks associated with COVID-themed phishing emails and provide regular training on identifying and reporting suspicious emails. Implementing strong email filtering and anti-phishing measures can also help mitigate the effectiveness of these attacks.

Delivery Methods

To enhance their delivery methods, hackers employ various techniques such as impersonating installers, using archive files, weaponized documents, and spreading RATs and trojans through themes related to the Kavach MFA application. These methods allow the hackers to effectively target Indian officials and infiltrate their systems.

The comparison of delivery methods used by Transparent Tribe hackers reveals the adaptability and versatility of their tactics. By impersonating installers, they create a sense of legitimacy and trick users into unknowingly installing malware. Archive files provide a convenient way to package and distribute malicious payloads, making it easier for the hackers to reach their targets. Weaponized documents exploit vulnerabilities in commonly used file formats, making them an effective tool for delivering malware. Additionally, using RATs and trojans disguised as Kavach MFA application themes capitalizes on the familiarity and trust associated with the application, increasing the likelihood of successful infiltration.

Overall, the analysis of these different delivery methods highlights the sophisticated strategies employed by Transparent Tribe hackers to carry out their malicious campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Transparent Tribe and what are their motivations for targeting Indian officials?

Transparent Tribe is a hacking group known for targeting Indian officials. Their tactics include using malware families like CrimsonRAT and ObliqueRAT, delivering malicious payloads through fake government websites, and using lures related to COVID and the Kavach MFA application. India is a prime target due to its geopolitical significance and the sensitive information held by government officials.

How does the SideCopy campaign conducted in July 2021 relate to Transparent Tribe’s hacking activities?

The SideCopy campaign conducted in July 2021 is a recent hacking activity by Transparent Tribe. It is part of their ongoing hacking activities targeting Indian officials. Cyber Security News has covered recent cybersecurity news topics such as P2P worm attacks on Linux and fraudulent job offers targeting university students.

What are some common social media platforms that Transparent Tribe uses for communication and updates?

Transparent Tribe utilizes Facebook and WhatsApp as common social media platforms for communication and updates. These platforms serve as channels for Transparent Tribe to disseminate cybersecurity and hacking news updates to their followers and audience.

Who is Balaji N and what is his role in the cybersecurity community?

Balaji N is an esteemed figure in the cybersecurity community known for his significant contributions. He has played a crucial role in cybersecurity conferences, sharing his expertise and insights to further enhance the understanding and practices in the field.

What are some other recent cybersecurity news topics covered by Cyber Security News, aside from the Transparent Tribe hacking campaign?

Recent cybersecurity news topics covered by Cyber Security News include recent cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations. These incidents highlight the ongoing threats faced by various sectors and the need for robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate these risks.