apt29_diplomatic_deceptions_with_wineloader.yml

name: APT29 Diplomatic Deceptions with WINELOADER
id: 7cb5fdb5-4c36-4721-8b0a-4cc5e78afadd
version: 1
date: '2024-03-26'
author: Michael Haag, splunk
description: APT29, a sophisticated threat actor linked to the Russian SVR, has expanded its cyber espionage activities to target European diplomats and German political parties. Utilizing a novel backdoor variant, WINELOADER, these campaigns leverage diplomatic-themed lures to initiate infection chains, demonstrating APT29's evolving tactics and interest in geopolitical intelligence. The operations, marked by their low volume and high precision, underscore the broad threat APT29 poses to Western political and diplomatic entities.
narrative: APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, has historically focused on espionage activities aligned with Russian intelligence interests. In recent campaigns, APT29 has notably shifted its operational focus, targeting not only its traditional diplomatic missions but also expanding into the political domain, specifically German political parties. These campaigns have been characterized by the deployment of WINELOADER, a sophisticated backdoor that facilitates the exfiltration of sensitive information. The use of themed lures, such as invitations from the Ambassador of India and CDU-themed documents, highlights APT29's strategic use of social engineering to compromise targets. The operations against European diplomats and German political entities reveal APT29's adaptive tactics and its persistent effort to gather intelligence that could influence Russia's geopolitical strategy. The precision of these attacks, coupled with the use of compromised websites for command and control, underscores the evolving threat landscape and the need for heightened cybersecurity vigilance among potential targets.
references:
  - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/apt29-wineloader-german-political-parties
  - https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/european-diplomats-targeted-spikedwine-wineloader
tags:
  group:
  - APT29
  - Cozy Bear
  - Midnight Blizzard
  category:
  - Adversary Tactics
  product:
  - Splunk Enterprise
  - Splunk Enterprise Security
  - Splunk Cloud
  usecase: Advanced Threat Detection
  cve: []