A hacktivist group known as Twelve has been targeting Russian government organizations since 2023 through ransomware attacks aimed at causing maximum damage. Their tactics include encrypting and deleting data, exfiltrating sensitive information, and exploiting critical IT infrastructure vulnerabilities. They leverage IP scanning to identify vulnerable VPN servers and internet-facing applications, gaining initial access through contractors’ networks using stolen credentials and remote desktop protocols.
Once inside, the attackers deploy web shells, mainly in PHP, to execute commands, transfer files, and send emails. Exploited vulnerabilities in vCenter Server allowed them to install the FaceFish backdoor, enabling deep system access through the SSH process. They used PowerShell, net.exe, and group policy modifications to create accounts, change permissions, and deploy malware. Disguising malicious tasks under legitimate names, they erased event logs and used Cobalt Strike for command-and-control operations.
The group’s arsenal includes tools like Ngrok for remote access tunnels and various scripts to disable security software and collect credentials. Credential harvesting was achieved using Mimikatz, reg.exe, and password recovery tools. They also exploited Telegram’s cached data folders for sensitive data extraction, risking account impersonation. Ransomware such as LockBit 3.0 was deployed through PowerShell and group policies, encrypting data and disabling antivirus programs.
Data destruction was a key tactic, with a publicly available wiper overwriting the Master Boot Record (MBR), deleting files, and shutting down systems. Scheduled tasks and PowerShell scripts facilitated mass ransomware deployment across networks. Kaspersky identifies Twelve as a hacktivist group focused on destructive attacks using widely available malware, emphasizing data destruction and infrastructure disruption.
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