The CERT-FR report highlights an extended campaign by the Sandworm intrusion set targeting Centreon systems. Centreon is an IT infrastructure monitoring software widely used to oversee network, server, and application performance. The Sandworm group, known for its sophisticated cyber-espionage and sabotage operations, exploits public-facing Centreon applications to gain unauthorized access. The attack techniques align with MITRE ATT&CK patterns such as exploiting public-facing applications (T1190), leveraging server software components (T1505), and creating or modifying system processes (T1543) to establish persistence. The adversaries also use scheduled tasks or jobs (T1053) and command and scripting interpreters (T1059) to execute malicious payloads. They abuse elevation control mechanisms (T1548) to gain higher privileges and employ deobfuscation techniques (T1140) to evade detection. Post-compromise activities include file and directory discovery (T1083), establishing encrypted command and control channels (T1573), using application layer protocols for communication (T1071), and exfiltrating data over these channels (T1041). Although no specific affected versions or patches are listed, the campaign's high confidence and almost-certain likelihood suggest active targeting of Centreon deployments, particularly in France. The threat level is moderate (4), and no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, indicating a potential for future exploitation if mitigations are not applied.

For European organizations, especially those relying on Centreon for critical infrastructure monitoring, this threat poses significant risks. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to monitoring systems, allowing attackers to manipulate or disable monitoring capabilities, thereby blinding defenders to ongoing malicious activities. This can facilitate further lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, and potential sabotage of IT operations. The integrity and availability of monitoring data may be compromised, impacting incident response and operational continuity. Given Centreon's use in sectors like energy, telecommunications, and government, the disruption could have cascading effects on essential services. The encrypted communication and sophisticated persistence mechanisms complicate detection and remediation efforts, increasing the potential damage scope. Organizations may face regulatory repercussions under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exfiltrated or if service disruptions affect data processing activities.

1. Conduct a thorough inventory of all Centreon deployments and ensure they are not exposed unnecessarily to the internet. 2. Apply network segmentation to isolate monitoring systems from general IT and operational technology networks. 3. Implement strict access controls and multi-factor authentication for all Centreon interfaces. 4. Monitor logs and network traffic for indicators of compromise related to the MITRE ATT&CK techniques identified, such as unusual scheduled tasks, process creations, or encrypted outbound connections. 5. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting scripting abuse and privilege escalation attempts. 6. Regularly update and patch Centreon software as vendors release security updates, even though no patches are currently listed, maintain vigilance for future advisories. 7. Conduct threat hunting exercises focusing on Sandworm TTPs within the environment. 8. Train security teams to recognize and respond to signs of intrusion consistent with this campaign. 9. Collaborate with national CERTs and information sharing groups to stay informed about emerging indicators and mitigation strategies. 10. Restrict use of legacy protocols and ensure encrypted channels are monitored for anomalous activity.