Microsoft Threat Intelligence is publishing results of our longstanding investigation into activity by the Russian-based threat actor Forest Blizzard (STRONTIUM) using a custom tool to elevate privileges and steal credentials in compromised networks.
Since at least June 2020 and possibly as early as April 2019, Forest Blizzard has used the tool, which we refer to as GooseEgg, to exploit the CVE-2022-38028 vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler service by modifying a JavaScript constraints file and executing it with SYSTEM-level permissions. Microsoft has observed Forest Blizzard using GooseEgg as part of post-compromise activities against targets including Ukrainian, Western European, and North American government, non-governmental, education, and transportation sector organizations.
Read more…
Source: Microsoft
Related:
- Russian hackers target European firms with new spear-phishing cyberattacks
February 24, 2026
APT28, the infamous Russian state-sponsored hacking group also known as Fancy Bear, or Sofacy, has been observed targeting “specific entities” in Western and Central Europe with infostealers. In a newly released report, security researchers Lab52 from S2 Grupo detailed “Operation MacroMaze”, which has been ongoing since at least late September 2025 through January 2026. The campaign ...
- Beyond the Battlefield: Threats to the Defense Industrial Base
February 10, 2026
In modern warfare, the front lines are no longer confined to the battlefield; they extend directly into the servers and supply chains of the industry that safeguards the nation. Today, the defense sector faces a relentless barrage of cyber operations conducted by state-sponsored actors and criminal groups alike. In recent years, Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) ...
- A Peek Into Muddled Libra’s Operational Playbook
February 10, 2026
During a September 2025 incident response investigation, Unit 42 discovered a rogue virtual machine (VM) which they believe with high confidence to be used by the cybercrime group Muddled Libra (aka Scattered Spider, UNC3944). The contents of this rogue VM and activity from the attack provide valuable insight into the operational playbook of this threat actor. ...
- Approaching cyclone: Vortex Werewolf attacks Russia
February 6, 2026
In December 2025 and January 2026, BI.ZONE Threat Intelligence detected malicious activity by a new cluster Vortex Werewolf (SkyCloak). The attacks targeted Russian government and defense organizations. BI.ZONE researchers findings indicate that the adversary used phishing emails to deliver malware to the target systems. Victims received messages containing a download link disguised as a Telegram file‑sharing ...
- The Chrysalis Backdoor: A Deep Dive into Lotus Blossom’s toolkit
February 2, 2026
Rapid7 Labs, together with the Rapid7 MDR team, has uncovered a sophisticated campaign attributed to the Chinese APT group Lotus Blossom. Active since 2009, the group is known for its targeted espionage campaigns primarily impacting organizations across Southeast Asia and more recently Central America, focusing on government, telecom, aviation, critical infrastructure, and media sectors. Rapid7 investigation ...
- Russia-linked APT28 attackers already abusing new Microsoft Office zero-day
February 2, 2026
Russia-linked attackers are already exploiting Microsoft’s latest Office zero-day, with Ukraine’s national cyber defense team warning that the same bug is being used to target government agencies inside the country and organizations across the EU. In an alert published on Sunday, CERT-UA says the activity is being driven by UAC-0001, better known as “APT28” or “Fancy ...