Earth Koshchei Coopts Red Team Tools in Complex RDP Attacks


Red teaming provides essential tools and testing methodologies for organizations to strengthen their security defenses. Cybercriminals and advanced persistent threat (APT) actors pay close attention to new methods and tools red teams develop, and they may repurpose them with a malicious intent.

In October 2024, an APT group that Trend Micro tracks as Earth Koshchei (also known as APT29 and Midnight Blizzard), likely used a rogue remote desktop protocol (RDP) attack methodology against numerous targets. This methodology was described earlier in 2022 by Black Hills Information Security in detail. The attack technique is called “rogue RDP”, which involves an RDP relay, a rogue RDP server, and a malicious RDP configuration file. A victim of this technique would give partial control of their machine to the attacker, potentially leading to data leakage and malware installation.

Read more…
Source: Trend Micro


Sign up for our Newsletter


Related:

  • Android malware steals your card details and PIN to make instant ATM withdrawals

    November 6, 2025

    The Polish Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT Polska) analyzed a new Android-based malware that uses NFC technology to perform unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals and drain victims’ bank accounts. Researchers found that the malware, called NGate, lets attackers withdraw cash from ATMs (Automated Teller Machines, or cash machines) using banking data exfiltrated from victims’ phones—without ever physically ...

  • Washington Post says it is among victims of cyber breach tied to Oracle software

    November 6, 2025

    The Washington Post said it is among victims of a sweeping cyber breach tied to Oracle software. In a statement released on Thursday, the newspaper said it was one of those impacted “by the breach of the Oracle E-Business Suite platform.” The paper did not provide further detail, but its statement comes after CL0P, the notorious ...

  • Italian political consultant says he was targeted with Paragon spyware

    November 6, 2025

    Francesco Nicodemo, a consultant who works with left-wing politicians in Italy, has gone public as the latest person targeted with Paragon spyware in the country. On Thursday, Nicodemo said in a Facebook post that for 10 months, he preferred not to publicize his case because he “did not want to be used for political propaganda,” ...

  • When Your Calendar Becomes the Compromise

    November 6, 2025

    It starts innocently enough. A new meeting appears in your Google calendar and the subject seems ordinary, perhaps even urgent: “Security Update Briefing,” “Your Account Verification Meeting,” or “Important Notice Regarding Benefits.” You assume you missed this invitation in your overloaded email inbox, and click “Yes” to accept. Unfortunately, calendar invites have become an overlooked delivery ...

  • Apple patches 50 security flaws – update now

    November 5, 2025

    Apple has released security updates for iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, Safari, and Xcode, fixing nearly 50 security flaws. Some of these bugs could let cybercriminals see your private data, take control of parts of your device, or break key security protections. Installing these updates as soon as possible keeps your personal information—and everything ...

  • Operation South Star: 0-day Espionage Campaign Targeting Domestic Mobile Phones

    November 4, 2025

    In recent years, during high-intensity confrontations with Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups from the Northeast Asia region, the RedDrip team at QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center has discovered nearly 20 0day vulnerabilities involving domestic software. Some details have been disclosed in our public reports such as Operation DevilTiger, Operation ShadowTiger, and XSS 0day+Clickonce. In reality, 0day activities ...