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Cyber Warfare Redefined by a Relentless APT Group
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the digital battlefield has grown just as volatile as the one on the ground. One group in particular, Gamaredon, believed to be tied to Russia’s FSB 18th Center of Information Security, has become a relentless force in this ongoing cyberwar. No longer concerned with NATO or broader Western targets, Gamaredon shifted its focus entirely to Ukrainian government institutions throughout 2024. The group ramped up its spearphishing operations with new levels of sophistication and persistence, introducing stealthy malware tools, cloud-based infrastructure, and even dabbling in overt propaganda.
This strategy isn’t just about espionage. It’s about disrupting infrastructure, stealing sensitive state data, and weakening morale within Ukraine. By delivering weaponized email links, manipulating legitimate services like Cloudflare and Dropbox, and using DNS-over-HTTPS to evade detection, Gamaredon has cemented its place as a digital ghost—difficult to detect and even harder to block. As the war drags on, this group’s cyber activities are evolving rapidly, posing a growing threat not only to Ukraine’s security but also to global cybersecurity norms.
Gamaredon’s 2024 Operations: The Cyber Playbook Unleashed
A Year of Strategic Refocus
Gamaredon abandoned its previous NATO-aligned targets to channel all resources into Ukrainian government systems. Throughout 2024, its campaigns became more targeted and intense, using short-lived but high-volume spearphishing operations to breach sensitive networks. These email campaigns relied heavily on infected file formats such as RAR, ZIP, 7z, and HTML. New delivery tactics emerged, such as direct hyperlinks and cleverly disguised LNK files executing PowerShell scripts via Cloudflare domains, which helped them bypass typical perimeter defenses.
Evolution of the Malware Arsenal
The
PteroDespair: Conducts reconnaissance using PowerShell.
PteroTickle: Targets Python-based GUI apps for lateral spread.
PteroGraphin: Used Excel add-ins and Telegraph API to persist and deliver encrypted payloads.
PteroStew & PteroQuark: VBScript downloaders utilizing alternate data streams.
PteroBox: A stealthy PowerShell-based file stealer using WMI events and Dropbox for exfiltration.
Existing malware
Advanced Evasion and Obfuscation
Gamaredon’s focus on evading network defenses became more aggressive. Instead of registering their own domains, the group leaned into third-party platforms like Telegram, Codeberg, and Cloudflare. DNS-over-HTTPS and fast-flux DNS methods added another layer of stealth. Their use of embedded HTA and VBScript files dropped into temp directories was a creative workaround to bypass detection tools.
In a rare crossover into information operations, Gamaredon deployed a VBScript payload that opened a Telegram channel pushing propaganda about the Odessa region. This marks a shift from pure espionage toward influence and psychological tactics.
Despite the abandonment of some legacy tools, Gamaredon remains highly dangerous. Their campaign rhythm is unrelenting, their malware constantly updated, and their evasion strategies increasingly effective. They are not just cybercriminals — they are digital soldiers in an unconventional war.
What Undercode Say:
Gamaredon: Cyber Persistence in a Modern Hybrid War
Gamaredon’s operational philosophy reveals a deep understanding of asymmetric warfare in the digital age. By continuously evolving their tactics and toolset, they demonstrate how state-aligned actors can weaponize the cyber domain with relatively low cost but high-impact results. While conventional battles dominate headlines, groups like Gamaredon are fighting a quieter war — one that compromises communications, leaks confidential strategies, and potentially weakens a nation’s digital backbone.
The decision to focus solely on Ukrainian targets in 2024 is not accidental. It reflects a strategic shift by Russian cyber operations, recognizing that internal destabilization of Ukraine yields more immediate returns than broad, less focused international operations. The group’s ability to maintain tempo while diversifying its infrastructure — using public platforms like Dropbox and Telegram — shows tactical maturity. By relying on legitimate services, Gamaredon increases its dwell time within networks, reduces the risk of domain blacklisting, and complicates attribution.
Moreover, the adoption of modular malware makes their toolkit both scalable and customizable. Tools like PteroGraphin, which leverages Excel for persistence and Telegraph for payload delivery, are designed to blend into legitimate workflows. This ability to camouflage is Gamaredon’s greatest strength. They’re not merely bypassing firewalls — they’re exploiting trust.
The introduction of tools like PteroBox, which can detect and react to USB activity, implies they are preparing for air-gapped or physically segregated environments. This suggests an aim not just for data theft but perhaps even cyber sabotage, potentially targeting critical infrastructure and classified military assets.
The one-off information operation involving a Telegram channel about Odessa is particularly notable. It reveals a soft pivot into psychological operations, aiming to influence public perception and morale. This may indicate that Gamaredon’s mission is expanding beyond intelligence gathering to active participation in hybrid warfare strategies involving both digital and psychological dimensions.
Despite some limitations and the retirement of older tools, Gamaredon’s commitment to persistence, stealth, and strategic targeting ensures it will remain a dominant threat. For Ukraine, defending against this group requires not just better firewalls but an entire ecosystem of cyber resilience — from user training to threat hunting and zero-trust architecture. For the global cybersecurity community, Gamaredon offers a grim preview of what cyberwarfare will look like in future conflicts.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Gamaredon is verifiably linked to Russia’s FSB 18th Center of Information Security
✅ The
✅ Evidence supports Gamaredon’s exclusive targeting of Ukrainian institutions in 2024
📊 Prediction:
As the war continues into 2025, Gamaredon is likely to expand its reach into Ukrainian critical infrastructure, potentially including power grids and logistics systems. Their growing interest in psychological operations may evolve into automated propaganda bots and disinformation networks, increasing the hybrid threat landscape. With their refined malware and expanding use of public platforms, they could become a global template for state-sponsored cyberwarfare in future geopolitical conflicts.
References:
Reported By: cyberpress.org
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