Cavalry Werewolf hacker group attacks Russian state institutions
The Cavalry Werewolf hacker group targeted a Russian government organization using phishing emails with malware-laden documents to infiltrate networks. They employed a sophisticated toolkit including backdoors, trojans, and modified legitimate software, leveraging open-source tools and Telegram API for command and control. Their tactics involved extensive information gathering, network reconnaissance, persistence via registry modifications, and malware deployment through public directories. The attack highlights advanced use of Windows built-in tools and reverse-shell backdoors to maintain stealth and control. Although primarily focused on Russian state institutions, the techniques and tools used pose a broader threat to government and critical infrastructure organizations. No known public exploits exist yet, and the attack requires phishing and user interaction but no initial authentication. The threat is assessed as medium severity but could escalate if adapted against other targets. European organizations with similar infrastructure or geopolitical relevance should be vigilant against similar tactics. Mitigation requires targeted phishing defenses, monitoring for unusual registry changes, and network traffic analysis for reverse-shell activity.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The Cavalry Werewolf hacker group conducted a targeted cyberattack against a Russian government organization aiming to exfiltrate confidential information and network data. The initial attack vector was phishing emails containing malicious documents designed to deploy malware. The group’s toolset is diverse and sophisticated, including various backdoors (reverse-shell, tunnel, proxy), trojans, and modified legitimate programs, many leveraging open-source software components. Command and control communications were conducted via the Telegram API, allowing covert control of compromised systems. The attackers utilized Windows built-in tools and techniques such as registry modifications to establish persistence and evade detection. They exploited public directories for malware deployment, indicating a focus on stealth and lateral movement within the network. The tactics align with MITRE ATT&CK techniques such as T1566.001 (phishing), T1547.001 (registry run keys), T1090.002 (proxy), and T1059 (command-line interface). The attack’s primary goal was information gathering and network infiltration rather than immediate disruption. No known public exploits are currently associated with this campaign, suggesting a custom or targeted approach. The medium severity rating reflects the moderate impact potential and the requirement for user interaction via phishing. The evolving sophistication of the group’s methods underscores the increasing threat to government institutions and critical infrastructure, with potential implications for similar organizations in Europe that share comparable technology stacks or geopolitical profiles.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, especially government agencies and critical infrastructure providers, the Cavalry Werewolf attack demonstrates a significant risk of targeted espionage and data theft. The use of phishing as an initial vector means that organizations with large user bases and complex networks are vulnerable to credential compromise and malware deployment. The attackers’ ability to establish persistence and conduct network reconnaissance can lead to prolonged undetected presence, increasing the risk of sensitive data exfiltration and potential lateral movement to other critical systems. The use of legitimate tools and open-source software complicates detection, potentially allowing attackers to bypass traditional security controls. European entities involved in geopolitical matters related to Russia or those using similar Windows-based infrastructure could face increased targeting. The impact includes loss of confidentiality, potential integrity compromises if attackers modify system configurations, and availability risks if attackers deploy disruptive payloads later. The threat also raises concerns about supply chain security and insider threats if attackers leverage compromised credentials. Overall, the attack could undermine trust in government digital services and disrupt critical operations if not mitigated effectively.
Mitigation Recommendations
European organizations should implement advanced phishing defense mechanisms including user training focused on recognizing sophisticated phishing attempts and sandboxing of email attachments. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying unusual registry modifications and the execution of uncommon Windows built-in tools. Network monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous outbound connections, particularly those involving Telegram API or reverse-shell communications. Restrict use of public directories for executable deployment and enforce strict access controls and application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized software execution. Regularly audit and harden registry run keys and scheduled tasks to detect persistence mechanisms. Employ threat hunting to identify indicators of compromise related to backdoors and trojans associated with this group. Incident response plans should include procedures for isolating infected systems and forensic analysis to understand attacker lateral movement. Collaboration with national cybersecurity agencies and sharing threat intelligence can improve detection and response capabilities. Finally, ensure all systems are updated with the latest security patches and consider network segmentation to limit attacker movement.
Affected Countries
Russia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia
Indicators of Compromise
- ip: 188.127.231.136
- ip: 94.198.52.210
- ip: 96.9.125.168
- hash: 078be0065d0277935cdcf7e3e9db4679
- hash: 087743415e1f6cc961e9d2bb6dfd6d51
- hash: 0f955d7844e146f2bd756c9ca8711263
- hash: 2195b5377ed94ac2ff6c3740b3cdefc3
- hash: 536a48917f823595b990f5b14b46e676
- hash: 9316dbdd91661e8eb8acf7b593bebab6
- hash: 9cb1af6b7f771011151747b34e617eb9
- hash: 9ea699b9854dde15babf260bed30efcc
- hash: b5cff6498b1ca4f8ddc98a9472a6216e
- hash: bfcb08bb5ac5196bc5d34f1d43079328
- hash: c14224290e43ce576c012dbf8cb037a9
- hash: c26e318f38dfd17a233b23a3ff80b5f4
- hash: c75665e77ffb3692c2400c3c8dd8276b
- hash: c8786d341ced4d4d5473d48681679492
- hash: cd46316aebc41e36790686f1ec1c39f0
- hash: cfc986362cccaf76288bddd94337cf2d
- hash: da487346483a0e208a16945a3f234e48
- hash: 1957fb36537df5d1a29fb7383bc7cde00cd88c77
- hash: 22641dea0dbe58e71f93615c208610f79d661228
- hash: 29ee3910d05e248cfb3ff62bd2e85e9c76db44a5
- hash: 451cfa10538bc572d9fd3d09758eb945ac1b9437
- hash: 5684972ded765b0b08b290c85c8fac8ed3fea273
- hash: 633885f16ef1e848a2e057169ab45d363f3f8c57
- hash: 653ffc8c3ec85c6210a416b92d828a28b2353c17
- hash: 6ec8a10a71518563e012f4d24499b12586128c55
- hash: 8279ad4a8ad20bf7bbca0fc54428d6cdc136b776
- hash: 93000d43d5c54b07b52efbdad3012e232bdb49cc
- hash: a2326011368d994e99509388cb3dc132d7c2053f
- hash: a5e7e75ee5c0fb82e4dc2f7617c1fe3240f21db2
- hash: b05c5fe8b206fb0d168f3a1fc91b0ed548eb46f5
- hash: b4d0d2bbcfc5a52ed8b05c756cfbfa96838af231
- hash: b52e1c9484ab694720dc62d501deca2aa922a078
- hash: baab225a50502a156222fcc234a87c09bc2b1647
- hash: bbe3a5ef79e996d9411c8320b879c5e31369921e
- hash: c89c1ed4b6dda8a00af54a0ab6dca0630eb45d81
- hash: c96beb026dc871256e86eca01e1f5ba2247a0df6
- hash: ce4912e5cd46fae58916c9ed49459c9232955302
- hash: d2106c8dfd0c681c27483a21cc72d746b2e5c18c
- hash: d2a7bcbf908507af3d7d3b0ae9dbaadd141810a4
- hash: dcd374105a5542ef5100f6034c805878153b1205
- hash: dd98dcf6807a7281e102307d61c71b7954b93032
- hash: e51a65f50b8bb3abf1b7f2f9217a24acfb3de618
- hash: e840c521ec436915da71eb9b0cfd56990f4e53e5
- hash: e8ab26b3141fbb410522b2cbabdc7e00a9a55251
- hash: f546861adc7c8ca88e3b302d274e6fffb63de9b0
- hash: 056e34ad8ed1e219fb29e04b8c17d72b6f2fbe4bc9d7c8e82f4a8a3249462cbc
- hash: 148a42ccaa97c2e2352dbb207f07932141d5290d4c3b57f61a780f9168783eda
- hash: 19bd1cee3800defcb8ca40e0187a160c1243a1c282084f9bd1e5c979b4729431
- hash: 22ba8c24f1aefc864490f70f503f709d2d980b9bc18fece4187152a1d9ca5fab
- hash: 3820a65ea7d478ffdcebf25a0413025e5d4a098024039d66e75e8cf14267ec2a
- hash: 484ab26ddb26d551147f293c8f4d9188a59c007d48a318933fd1171d10e6dd23
- hash: 4f17a7f8d2cec5c2206c3cba92967b4b499f0d223748d3b34f9ec4981461d288
- hash: 537c632851ba7bda9927062c592ec70eeafa3b089cafee539e5baff0d2e49e6f
- hash: 6b290953441b1c53f63f98863aae75bd8ea32996ab07976e498bad111d535252
- hash: 7084f06f2d8613dfe418b242c43060ae578e7166ce5aeed2904a8327cd98dbdf
- hash: a3ec2992e6416a3af54b3aca3417cf4a109866a07df7b5ec0ace7bd1bf73f3c6
- hash: ab0ad77a341b12cfc719d10e0fc45a6613f41b2b3f6ea963ee6572cf02b41f4d
- hash: af3d740c5b09c9a6237d5d54d78b5227cdaf60be89f48284b3386a3aadeb0283
- hash: cc84bfdb6e996b67d8bc812cf08674e8eca6906b53c98df195ed99ac5ec14a06
- hash: d59577c808e5fc0c67cfaf17fb64cd92c2ed4cb3b6c6bd7110836c8b4b856170
- hash: e695eafb035d9a54bf6b22bc27dbaad4c02cb4cd3011952e0ca77eb78e7c688c
- hash: fbf1bae3c576a6fcfa86db7c36a06c2530423d487441ad2c684cfeda5cd19685
- ip: 168.100.10.73
- ip: 185.173.37.67
- ip: 64.95.11.202
- ip: 77.232.42.107
- ip: 78.128.112.209
- ip: 89.22.161.133
- domain: sss.qwadx.com
Cavalry Werewolf hacker group attacks Russian state institutions
Description
The Cavalry Werewolf hacker group targeted a Russian government organization using phishing emails with malware-laden documents to infiltrate networks. They employed a sophisticated toolkit including backdoors, trojans, and modified legitimate software, leveraging open-source tools and Telegram API for command and control. Their tactics involved extensive information gathering, network reconnaissance, persistence via registry modifications, and malware deployment through public directories. The attack highlights advanced use of Windows built-in tools and reverse-shell backdoors to maintain stealth and control. Although primarily focused on Russian state institutions, the techniques and tools used pose a broader threat to government and critical infrastructure organizations. No known public exploits exist yet, and the attack requires phishing and user interaction but no initial authentication. The threat is assessed as medium severity but could escalate if adapted against other targets. European organizations with similar infrastructure or geopolitical relevance should be vigilant against similar tactics. Mitigation requires targeted phishing defenses, monitoring for unusual registry changes, and network traffic analysis for reverse-shell activity.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
The Cavalry Werewolf hacker group conducted a targeted cyberattack against a Russian government organization aiming to exfiltrate confidential information and network data. The initial attack vector was phishing emails containing malicious documents designed to deploy malware. The group’s toolset is diverse and sophisticated, including various backdoors (reverse-shell, tunnel, proxy), trojans, and modified legitimate programs, many leveraging open-source software components. Command and control communications were conducted via the Telegram API, allowing covert control of compromised systems. The attackers utilized Windows built-in tools and techniques such as registry modifications to establish persistence and evade detection. They exploited public directories for malware deployment, indicating a focus on stealth and lateral movement within the network. The tactics align with MITRE ATT&CK techniques such as T1566.001 (phishing), T1547.001 (registry run keys), T1090.002 (proxy), and T1059 (command-line interface). The attack’s primary goal was information gathering and network infiltration rather than immediate disruption. No known public exploits are currently associated with this campaign, suggesting a custom or targeted approach. The medium severity rating reflects the moderate impact potential and the requirement for user interaction via phishing. The evolving sophistication of the group’s methods underscores the increasing threat to government institutions and critical infrastructure, with potential implications for similar organizations in Europe that share comparable technology stacks or geopolitical profiles.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, especially government agencies and critical infrastructure providers, the Cavalry Werewolf attack demonstrates a significant risk of targeted espionage and data theft. The use of phishing as an initial vector means that organizations with large user bases and complex networks are vulnerable to credential compromise and malware deployment. The attackers’ ability to establish persistence and conduct network reconnaissance can lead to prolonged undetected presence, increasing the risk of sensitive data exfiltration and potential lateral movement to other critical systems. The use of legitimate tools and open-source software complicates detection, potentially allowing attackers to bypass traditional security controls. European entities involved in geopolitical matters related to Russia or those using similar Windows-based infrastructure could face increased targeting. The impact includes loss of confidentiality, potential integrity compromises if attackers modify system configurations, and availability risks if attackers deploy disruptive payloads later. The threat also raises concerns about supply chain security and insider threats if attackers leverage compromised credentials. Overall, the attack could undermine trust in government digital services and disrupt critical operations if not mitigated effectively.
Mitigation Recommendations
European organizations should implement advanced phishing defense mechanisms including user training focused on recognizing sophisticated phishing attempts and sandboxing of email attachments. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying unusual registry modifications and the execution of uncommon Windows built-in tools. Network monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous outbound connections, particularly those involving Telegram API or reverse-shell communications. Restrict use of public directories for executable deployment and enforce strict access controls and application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized software execution. Regularly audit and harden registry run keys and scheduled tasks to detect persistence mechanisms. Employ threat hunting to identify indicators of compromise related to backdoors and trojans associated with this group. Incident response plans should include procedures for isolating infected systems and forensic analysis to understand attacker lateral movement. Collaboration with national cybersecurity agencies and sharing threat intelligence can improve detection and response capabilities. Finally, ensure all systems are updated with the latest security patches and consider network segmentation to limit attacker movement.
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Technical Details
- Author
- AlienVault
- Tlp
- white
- References
- ["https://news.drweb.com/show/?i=15078&lng=en&c=5"]
- Adversary
- Cavalry Werewolf
- Pulse Id
- 690db6c3db213f06f2b53533
- Threat Score
- null
Indicators of Compromise
Ip
| Value | Description | Copy |
|---|---|---|
ip188.127.231.136 | — | |
ip94.198.52.210 | — | |
ip96.9.125.168 | — | |
ip168.100.10.73 | — | |
ip185.173.37.67 | — | |
ip64.95.11.202 | — | |
ip77.232.42.107 | — | |
ip78.128.112.209 | — | |
ip89.22.161.133 | — |
Hash
| Value | Description | Copy |
|---|---|---|
hash078be0065d0277935cdcf7e3e9db4679 | — | |
hash087743415e1f6cc961e9d2bb6dfd6d51 | — | |
hash0f955d7844e146f2bd756c9ca8711263 | — | |
hash2195b5377ed94ac2ff6c3740b3cdefc3 | — | |
hash536a48917f823595b990f5b14b46e676 | — | |
hash9316dbdd91661e8eb8acf7b593bebab6 | — | |
hash9cb1af6b7f771011151747b34e617eb9 | — | |
hash9ea699b9854dde15babf260bed30efcc | — | |
hashb5cff6498b1ca4f8ddc98a9472a6216e | — | |
hashbfcb08bb5ac5196bc5d34f1d43079328 | — | |
hashc14224290e43ce576c012dbf8cb037a9 | — | |
hashc26e318f38dfd17a233b23a3ff80b5f4 | — | |
hashc75665e77ffb3692c2400c3c8dd8276b | — | |
hashc8786d341ced4d4d5473d48681679492 | — | |
hashcd46316aebc41e36790686f1ec1c39f0 | — | |
hashcfc986362cccaf76288bddd94337cf2d | — | |
hashda487346483a0e208a16945a3f234e48 | — | |
hash1957fb36537df5d1a29fb7383bc7cde00cd88c77 | — | |
hash22641dea0dbe58e71f93615c208610f79d661228 | — | |
hash29ee3910d05e248cfb3ff62bd2e85e9c76db44a5 | — | |
hash451cfa10538bc572d9fd3d09758eb945ac1b9437 | — | |
hash5684972ded765b0b08b290c85c8fac8ed3fea273 | — | |
hash633885f16ef1e848a2e057169ab45d363f3f8c57 | — | |
hash653ffc8c3ec85c6210a416b92d828a28b2353c17 | — | |
hash6ec8a10a71518563e012f4d24499b12586128c55 | — | |
hash8279ad4a8ad20bf7bbca0fc54428d6cdc136b776 | — | |
hash93000d43d5c54b07b52efbdad3012e232bdb49cc | — | |
hasha2326011368d994e99509388cb3dc132d7c2053f | — | |
hasha5e7e75ee5c0fb82e4dc2f7617c1fe3240f21db2 | — | |
hashb05c5fe8b206fb0d168f3a1fc91b0ed548eb46f5 | — | |
hashb4d0d2bbcfc5a52ed8b05c756cfbfa96838af231 | — | |
hashb52e1c9484ab694720dc62d501deca2aa922a078 | — | |
hashbaab225a50502a156222fcc234a87c09bc2b1647 | — | |
hashbbe3a5ef79e996d9411c8320b879c5e31369921e | — | |
hashc89c1ed4b6dda8a00af54a0ab6dca0630eb45d81 | — | |
hashc96beb026dc871256e86eca01e1f5ba2247a0df6 | — | |
hashce4912e5cd46fae58916c9ed49459c9232955302 | — | |
hashd2106c8dfd0c681c27483a21cc72d746b2e5c18c | — | |
hashd2a7bcbf908507af3d7d3b0ae9dbaadd141810a4 | — | |
hashdcd374105a5542ef5100f6034c805878153b1205 | — | |
hashdd98dcf6807a7281e102307d61c71b7954b93032 | — | |
hashe51a65f50b8bb3abf1b7f2f9217a24acfb3de618 | — | |
hashe840c521ec436915da71eb9b0cfd56990f4e53e5 | — | |
hashe8ab26b3141fbb410522b2cbabdc7e00a9a55251 | — | |
hashf546861adc7c8ca88e3b302d274e6fffb63de9b0 | — | |
hash056e34ad8ed1e219fb29e04b8c17d72b6f2fbe4bc9d7c8e82f4a8a3249462cbc | — | |
hash148a42ccaa97c2e2352dbb207f07932141d5290d4c3b57f61a780f9168783eda | — | |
hash19bd1cee3800defcb8ca40e0187a160c1243a1c282084f9bd1e5c979b4729431 | — | |
hash22ba8c24f1aefc864490f70f503f709d2d980b9bc18fece4187152a1d9ca5fab | — | |
hash3820a65ea7d478ffdcebf25a0413025e5d4a098024039d66e75e8cf14267ec2a | — | |
hash484ab26ddb26d551147f293c8f4d9188a59c007d48a318933fd1171d10e6dd23 | — | |
hash4f17a7f8d2cec5c2206c3cba92967b4b499f0d223748d3b34f9ec4981461d288 | — | |
hash537c632851ba7bda9927062c592ec70eeafa3b089cafee539e5baff0d2e49e6f | — | |
hash6b290953441b1c53f63f98863aae75bd8ea32996ab07976e498bad111d535252 | — | |
hash7084f06f2d8613dfe418b242c43060ae578e7166ce5aeed2904a8327cd98dbdf | — | |
hasha3ec2992e6416a3af54b3aca3417cf4a109866a07df7b5ec0ace7bd1bf73f3c6 | — | |
hashab0ad77a341b12cfc719d10e0fc45a6613f41b2b3f6ea963ee6572cf02b41f4d | — | |
hashaf3d740c5b09c9a6237d5d54d78b5227cdaf60be89f48284b3386a3aadeb0283 | — | |
hashcc84bfdb6e996b67d8bc812cf08674e8eca6906b53c98df195ed99ac5ec14a06 | — | |
hashd59577c808e5fc0c67cfaf17fb64cd92c2ed4cb3b6c6bd7110836c8b4b856170 | — | |
hashe695eafb035d9a54bf6b22bc27dbaad4c02cb4cd3011952e0ca77eb78e7c688c | — | |
hashfbf1bae3c576a6fcfa86db7c36a06c2530423d487441ad2c684cfeda5cd19685 | — |
Domain
| Value | Description | Copy |
|---|---|---|
domainsss.qwadx.com | — |
Threat ID: 690dba651280f279b842fd52
Added to database: 11/7/2025, 9:22:45 AM
Last enriched: 11/7/2025, 9:23:48 AM
Last updated: 11/9/2025, 8:56:04 AM
Views: 11
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