Russian state-sponsored hacking group APT28 (Fancy Bear/Forest Blizzard/Sofacy) has employed a novel "nearest neighbor attack" to breach enterprise WiFi networks from thousands of miles away. The attack, first detected on February 4, 2022, targeted a U.S. company in Washington, D.C., involved in Ukraine-related projects. Cybersecurity firm Volexity identified the intrusion, highlighting APT28’s innovative approach to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Details of the Attack
APT28 initiated the attack by breaching a nearby organization’s WiFi network, exploiting dual-home devices such as laptops or routers with both wired and wireless connections. These devices allowed the hackers to connect to the target’s WiFi network. By daisy-chaining access to multiple organizations, the hackers were able to connect to the victim's wireless network and move laterally across the system.
The hackers were able to bypass multi-factor authentication on the company’s WiFi network, despite being physically located thousands of miles away. Once within range, they compromised access to three wireless access points near the target’s conference room windows and used remote desktop protocol (RDP) from an unprivileged user to roam across the network.
Exfiltration and Data Theft
The attackers dumped Windows registry hives (SAM, Security, and System) using a script called servtask.bat, compressing them into a ZIP file for exfiltration. This process allowed APT28 to gather sensitive data without causing significant disruptions to the target network. The focus of the attack was on individuals and projects related to Ukraine, in line with Russia’s geopolitical interests.
Volexity's investigation revealed that APT28 was particularly interested in data from individuals with expertise in Ukraine-related projects. This highlights the targeted nature of the attack, aimed at collecting intelligence from a specific field of work.
Implications and Security Measures
The attack underscores the need for robust WiFi security and network segmentation. APT28’s ability to exploit physical proximity and dual-home devices highlights the growing sophistication of cyberattacks. Organizations should consider the following measures:
- Enhance WiFi network encryption and authentication protocols.
- Implement strict network segmentation to limit lateral movement.
- Regularly audit devices with dual wired and wireless connections.
- Monitor for unusual network activity and lateral movements.
APT28’s "nearest neighbor attack" serves as a reminder of the advanced techniques used by state-sponsored hackers. Vigilance, along with layered cybersecurity defenses, is crucial in defending against such sophisticated attacks.
