Russians Lure European Diplomats into Malware Trap with Wine-Tasting Invite

Russia's cyber-spies are at it again, using a proven tactic to lure European diplomats into downloading malware with a phony invitation to a luxurious wine-tasting event. The same crew responsible for the infamous "Wineloader" Windows backdoor malware, which was used to compromise German politicians last year, has now released an updated version of their malware, dubbed "Grapeloader."

The attackers began sending emails to diplomats across Europe, disguising them as a message from an unnamed European country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The subject lines were cleverly crafted to look like legitimate invitations, including "Wine tasting event (update date)," "For Ambassador’s Calendar," and "Diplomatic dinner." However, the messages contained a link that, if clicked, would download a malicious archive called "wine.zip" from a remote server.

The wine.zip archive carries three files, which, when downloaded, would install Grapeloader on the victim's computer. The malware copies the contents of the archive onto the hard drive, changes the Windows Registry's Run key to ensure persistence, and scans for sensitive information such as usernames, computer names, process names, and process identifiers.

The malware also pings a Cozy Bear command-and-control server every 60 seconds, waiting for instructions from its masters. The new vintage of Wineloader is a 64-bit trojanized DLL file that allows data to be harvested from the infected machine, encrypted using RC4, and sent back to the command-and-control server.

Check Point, a leading cybersecurity firm, analyzed the new Wineloader code and its targets to conclude that Russia's government and Cozy Bear are almost certainly behind the malware. The group has a long history of developing malware to assist spying efforts, dating back to the late 2000s. They have since moved on to organized campaigns against specific targets, including the Democratic National Committee, the US State Department, and even targeting COVID-19 vaccine development data during the pandemic.

Cozy Bear's tactics have been exposed before, when Dutch government whiz-kids managed to break into their security cameras and observe them at work. Now, it seems that the crew has decided to tweak their approach by luring diplomats with a party invitation that worked so well last time.

The Vintage Has Improved

While Russia's tactics have remained largely unchanged, their malware has improved significantly over time. The new Wineloader is more sophisticated, using junk code to hide its true nature from malware-hunting applications. It's also better at deleting signs of presence in memory and can now harvest data from infected machines without being detected.

This latest development highlights the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats and the need for governments and individuals to stay vigilant against such attacks. As Check Point's analysis shows, Russia's government and Cozy Bear are almost certainly behind this malware campaign, and it's essential that we take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Threat to European Diplomacy

The threat posed by Grapeloader is not just limited to individual computers; it also has far-reaching implications for European diplomacy. If left unchecked, this malware could potentially compromise sensitive information, such as diplomatic communications and confidential documents.

It's essential that European diplomats take immediate action to protect themselves from this malware. This includes being cautious when receiving unsolicited emails or invitations, verifying the authenticity of messages before clicking on links or downloading attachments, and reporting any suspicious activity to their authorities.

A Call to Action

The latest development in the Grapeloader malware campaign serves as a reminder that cyber threats are ever-present and can strike at any time. It's essential that we take action to prevent such incidents and protect ourselves against these types of attacks.

Let's work together to stay vigilant and ensure that our digital security remains strong. By being informed and taking proactive steps, we can mitigate the risks associated with Grapeloader and other cyber threats. Let's not let Russia's Cozy Bear crew get away with their malicious tactics – it's time for us to take a stand.