The Russia-linked advanced persistent threat (APT) group, Turla, has been implicated in a covert cyber espionage campaign using the infrastructure of a Pakistani hacker group, Storm-0156. This campaign, observed since December 2022, marks a new tactic where Turla has infiltrated the command-and-control (C2) servers of Storm-0156 to further its operations. This form of “embedding” allows Turla to obscure its involvement and evade detection, which is a characteristic strategy of the group. By taking over the compromised servers, Turla can deploy its own malware while avoiding direct attribution to the Russian government, the presumed origin of the group.
Turla’s use of Storm-0156’s infrastructure enabled them to deploy custom malware, including TwoDash and Statuezy. TwoDash is a downloader, while Statuezy is a Trojan that monitors Windows clipboard data. These malware families were specifically used to target Afghan government networks and military institutions in India. The ability to hijack another group’s infrastructure for their own purposes is a strategy Turla has utilized before, having previously exploited the tools of other hacker groups to advance their goals. In this case, leveraging Storm-0156’s existing operations in Afghanistan and India provided Turla with a tactical advantage, allowing them to deploy their own malware without raising suspicion.
Microsoft and Black Lotus Labs, who tracked the campaign, also observed how Turla used the C2 servers to exfiltrate data from Indian military and defense-related entities. The backdoors previously established by Storm-0156, such as the Crimson RAT, were repurposed by Turla to gain deeper access into the targeted networks. This further highlights Turla’s ability to commandeer the operations of others to access sensitive intelligence. The group’s operational methodology involves both technical sophistication and strategic patience, often waiting for the right moment to strike when opportunities for indirect access arise.
Turla’s continued use of this tactic underscores a broader trend in modern cyber espionage, where nation-state actors avoid direct confrontation by embedding themselves within the operations of other hacker groups. By exploiting existing cyber intrusions, Turla reduces the risks of exposure and expands its intelligence-gathering capabilities. The campaign also demonstrates the evolving nature of cyber warfare, where the lines between different threat actors blur, making attribution and countermeasures increasingly challenging. As Turla advances its activities across South Asia, it remains a significant player in global cyber espionage, operating with a high level of stealth and precision.
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