The RomCom threat group has once again emerged, launching a new campaign specifically targeting attendees of a NATO Summit in Lithuania. With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to participate, the campaign aims to explore Ukraine’s potential future with the organization.
Details of the Campaign
In this sophisticated operation, the RomCom group impersonates the Ukrainian World Congress organization, using fake documents, including a lobbying document claiming to support Ukraine. The prime focus of the campaign revolves around individuals who support Ukraine, particularly those attending the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
Method of Attack
RomCom leverages the exploitation of the .RTF file format to establish a connection with command-and-control (C2) infrastructure under their control. While the initial infection vector remains undisclosed, it is highly likely that the group employed spear-phishing techniques and enticed victims to click on a meticulously crafted replica of the Ukrainian World Congress website. To make the malicious domain appear legitimate, cunning typosquatting tactics are employed, utilizing a .info suffix.
Exploitation of Flaws
An additional weapon in RomCom’s arsenal is an execution chain that takes advantage of a vulnerability present in Microsoft’s Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT), known as Follina (CVE-2022-30190). If RomCom successfully exploits Follina, they gain the ability to execute remote code attacks through malicious .DOCX or .RTF documents.
History of RomCom
RomCom has previously targeted various Ukrainian and pro-Ukraine entities in Eastern Europe and other parts of the world. Recognized by researchers at Trend Micro, the group’s activities have been consistently monitored and studied.
Recommendations for Defense
To protect themselves from RomCom and other advanced persistent threats (APTs), targets should employ security solutions equipped with behavior-monitoring capabilities. Such solutions can effectively detect and counter the tactics employed by threat groups like RomCom. Adopting a proactive approach to defense is vital in safeguarding against sophisticated cyberattacks.
The RomCom threat group’s latest campaign, which specifically targets the NATO Summit in Lithuania, showcases their determination to exploit geopolitical events for their own gain. By impersonating the Ukrainian World Congress and disseminating fake documents, RomCom aims to manipulate attendees’ perspectives on Ukraine’s potential future with NATO. The ever-evolving tactics employed by RomCom highlight the importance of remaining vigilant and implementing proactive measures to defend against advanced persistent threats. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative that organizations and individuals prioritize security measures capable of mitigating the risks posed by such malicious actors.