The PolySwarm Blog

Verticals Targeted: Critical Infrastructure, Defense
Regions Targeted: United States
Related Threat Actors: Volt Typhoon, QTFY, CyberAv3ngers, FSB Center 16, GRU Unit 29155, Cyber Army of Russia Reborn, NoName057(16), Z-Pentest, Sector16

Executive Summary

US critical infrastructure faces an increasingly consequential operational technology (OT) threat as state-sponsored and other cyber actors conduct activity ranging from long-term pre-positioning in critical infrastructure networks to direct exploitation of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) capable of affecting physical processes. Of particular national-security concern, military installations depend on civilian electricity, water, telecommunications, transportation, fuel, manufacturing, and logistics infrastructure located outside Department of War networks and installation boundaries. Disruption of these systems could therefore create military effects without direct compromise of a military installation.

Verticals Targeted: Banking, Aviation, Defense, Healthcare
Regions Targeted: US, Canada
Related Families: Dindoor, Fakeset, Stagecomp, Darkcomp

Executive Summary

Recent reporting indicates Iranian cyber actors are expanding operations targeting US organizations while also exploiting internet-connected cameras across the Middle East for intelligence collection and battlefield awareness. These developments represent another layer in Iran’s evolving hybrid warfare strategy. Iranian APT group MuddyWater has maintained access to multiple US organizations since early February, while Iran-linked infrastructure has targeted internet-connected surveillance cameras across the Middle East. Hacktivist group Handala has recently claimed responsibility for a destructive cyberattack against medical technology firm Stryker. Taken together, these incidents suggest Iran’s cyber ecosystem is currently surviving but not thriving, maintaining operational capability despite disruption to infrastructure and command structures.

Verticals Targeted: Critical infrastructure
Regions Targeted: Ukraine
Related Families: HermeticWiper (aka FoxBlade, NEARMISS)

Executive Summary

PathWiper is a new wiper malware deployed by a Russia-linked APT, targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure with destructive intent. The attack leveraged a legitimate endpoint administration framework, highlighting the persistent cyber threat to Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

Related Families: HellDown
Verticals Targeted: Energy

Executive Summary

HellCat ransomware recently targeted French energy giant Schneider Electric. PolySwarm analysts consider HellCat to be an emerging threat.

Related Families: Qakbot
Verticals Targeted: Critical Infrastructure, Healthcare

Executive Summary

CISA recently issued an advisory warning critical infrastructure entities to harden their defenses against attacks from Black Basta.

Related Families: GreyEnergy, Prestige
Verticals Targeted: Critical Infrastructure

Executive Summary

Kapeka, also known as KnuckleTouch, is a novel backdoor used by VooDoo Bear to target entities in Eastern Europe.

Related Families: Elking, Eight, Devos, Backmydata, Faust, Perdak, CrySiS, Dharma, SmokeLoader, Cobalt Strike, Bloodhound
Verticals Targeted: Critical Infrastructure, Government, Emergency Services, Education, Healthcare

Executive Summary

CISA recently released an advisory on Phobos ransomware being used to target critical infrastructure entities, including government entities, emergency services, education, public healthcare, and other unspecified entities.

Verticals Targeted: Oil & Gas, Energy, Critical Infrastructure