GoldenJackal, a little-known but sophisticated cyber threat actor, has been implicated in a series of attacks on embassies and governmental organizations. The group, active since at least 2019, has focused on compromising air-gapped systems using highly tailored malware toolsets. Its primary targets include a South Asian embassy in Belarus and a European Union (EU) government entity. Slovak cybersecurity firm ESET revealed that the attacks aimed to steal confidential information from sensitive, disconnected machines, a hallmark of GoldenJackal’s tactics. Although the group has not been definitively tied to any specific nation-state, similarities have been observed with other campaigns linked to advanced cyber espionage groups like Turla.
GoldenJackal’s attacks are notable for deploying two distinct malware toolsets over the past five years. Key components of their arsenal include JackalWorm, capable of infecting USB drives, and JackalControl, a trojan designed for remote control of compromised machines. The malware operates by spreading through USB drives, exploiting the limited defenses of air-gapped systems that are not connected to the internet. These attacks highlight the increasing sophistication of cyber threat actors targeting highly secure networks, which are traditionally viewed as safe from remote intrusion.
One of the group’s most complex methods involves a malware family called GoldenDealer, which activates when an infected USB drive is inserted into an air-gapped system. Once inside, it collects information and stores it on the same USB device, allowing the stolen data to be exfiltrated when the USB drive is reconnected to an internet-connected system. Other malware tools, such as GoldenHowl and GoldenRobo, further enhance the group’s ability to steal files, create backdoors, and tunnel data out through SSH or even via Google Drive. The modular nature of these tools allows GoldenJackal to adapt their attacks to different environments and operational needs.
GoldenJackal’s latest attacks, which occurred between 2022 and 2024, involved a new suite of malware written primarily in Go, marking a continued evolution in the group’s toolset. These tools include GoldenUsbCopy and GoldenUsbGo, which monitor USB drives for valuable files to steal, and GoldenMailer, which sends exfiltrated data to the attackers via email. Despite the high level of sophistication, the exact method GoldenJackal uses to gain initial access to its targets remains unclear. Previous analyses suggest that trojanized Skype installers or malicious Microsoft Word documents could be used to compromise the systems. GoldenJackal’s resourcefulness and ability to target air-gapped networks demonstrate the growing capabilities of modern threat actors, emphasizing the need for stronger cybersecurity measures in highly sensitive environments.
