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More than 40 hacktivist groups have launched a coordinated cyber campaign against India following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. The cyberattacks are a reflection of the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly concerning the Kashmir region. These hacktivist groups, united under the banner of #OpIndia, are targeting key Indian government portals, healthcare infrastructure, and cyber defense agencies.
The coordinated cyber campaign involves various types of attacks, including website defacements and Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks aimed at disrupting services. Hacktivist groups have also claimed data breaches. The attacks reflect a familiar pattern where cyber activity escalates during times of real-world tension between India and Pakistan, with hacktivist groups from both sides launching attacks in response to events on the ground. The cyber retaliation between India and Pakistan is not new, with digital skirmishes becoming more frequent during political or military flare-ups. Over the years, cyber activity related to India has grown, including hacktivist campaigns, data leaks, and the sale of stolen information on the Dark Web. While some incidents are low impact or symbolic, they often align with events on the ground, demonstrating how the conflict now extends into cyberspace. Recommended read:
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@cyble.com
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The ransomware landscape is experiencing significant shifts in April 2025, with groups like Qilin taking center stage. Despite a general decline in ransomware attacks from 564 in March to 450 in April, the lowest level since November 2024, Qilin has surged to the top of the ransomware rankings. This rise is attributed to the realignment of cybercriminal groups within the chaotic Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) ecosystem. Qilin is reportedly leveraging sophisticated tools and techniques, contributing to their increased success in recent months.
Qilin's success is partly due to the adoption of advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Threat actors associated with Qilin have been observed utilizing malware such as SmokeLoader, along with a previously undocumented .NET compiled loader called NETXLOADER, in campaigns dating back to November 2024. NETXLOADER is a highly obfuscated loader designed to deploy additional malicious payloads and bypass traditional detection mechanisms, making it difficult to analyze. This loader plays a critical role in Qilin's stealthy malware delivery method. The surge in activity is reflected in the doubling of disclosures on Qilin's data leak site since February 2025, making it the top ransomware group in April. The emergence of new actors like DragonForce is reshaping the threat landscape. The group is built for the gig economy. Its features include a 20% revenue share, white-label ransomware kits, pre-built infrastructure. DragonForce quickly moved to absorb affiliates following the April 2025 disappearance of RansomHub, pitching itself as an agile alternative to collapsed legacy operators. A historic surge in ransomware activity is occurring. A total of 2,289 publicly named ransomware victims were reported in just Q1 a 126% year-over-year increase, setting an all-time high. 74 distinct ransomware groups are now operating concurrently, highlighting an explosion of new actors and affiliate-driven threats. Recommended read:
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@nvd.nist.gov
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Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs (CRIL) has uncovered a new ransomware operation dubbed "DOGE BIG BALLS Ransomware." This campaign uses a finance-themed ZIP file named "Pay Adjustment.zip" to trick users into executing malicious shortcut files. These files then trigger multi-stage PowerShell scripts, ultimately delivering custom payloads that include a kernel-mode exploit tool and reconnaissance modules. The ransomware itself is a modified version of Fog, further customized with a provocative name that references a known public figure.
The attention-grabbing name is likely a deliberate attempt to misdirect attention and create confusion, potentially questioning the effectiveness of governmental cybersecurity efforts. Despite the name's provocative nature, the attack mechanism is relatively simple. The ransomware is typically distributed via a compressed ZIP file, sometimes disguised as a PDF document. Once opened, the malicious payload bypasses traditional security defenses using obfuscation and anti-detection techniques. The DOGE Big Balls ransomware attack highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals, blending technical sophistication with psychological manipulation. It also demonstrates the increasing trend of ransomware attacks targeting the healthcare sector, as seen with the recent attack on DaVita, a Denver-based dialysis firm. This incident underscores the critical need for organizations to bolster their cybersecurity defenses and incident response capabilities to protect sensitive data and maintain operational continuity. Recommended read:
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@cyble.com
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References:
cyble.com
, threatmon.io
Hacktivist groups are increasingly adopting sophisticated and destructive attack methods, moving beyond basic DDoS attacks to target critical infrastructure with ransomware. These groups, motivated by ideological goals, are focusing on government platforms and industrial manufacturers. Pro-Russian hacktivists are primarily targeting NATO-aligned nations and supporters of Ukraine, while pro-Ukrainian, pro-Palestinian, and anti-establishment groups are focusing on Russia, Israel, and the United States. This evolution reflects a shift towards hybrid warfare tactics, combining DDoS, credential leaks, and ICS disruption to overcome single-layer defenses.
The energy sector is particularly vulnerable, with successful cyber breaches posing severe risks to national security, economic stability, and public safety. The CyberAv3ngers, an Iranian state-sponsored hacker group, exemplifies this threat. Despite masquerading as hacktivists, they are actively targeting industrial control systems in water, gas, oil and gas, and other critical infrastructure sectors worldwide. The group has already caused global disruption and shows no signs of slowing down. Their actions represent a rare example of state-sponsored cybersaboteurs crossing the line and disrupting critical infrastructure. Reports and investigations highlight vulnerabilities within power grids and other key systems. Recent investigations have revealed hidden capabilities in Chinese-manufactured power transformers that could allow remote shutdown from overseas. This discovery prompted concerns about potential "sleeper cells" within critical national systems. Furthermore, ransomware attacks continue to be a major threat, causing operational disruptions, data breaches, and financial losses. The industry is responding with increased cybersecurity investment and proactive strategies as professionals see cybersecurity as the greatest risk to their business. Recommended read:
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@cyble.com
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The ransomware landscape continues to experience significant turbulence as groups target each other's infrastructure and tactics shift. Notably, a group known as DragonForce has been actively hacking its rivals, with RansomHub, a major Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platform and one of the most active groups, being their latest target. DragonForce has previously targeted Mamona and BlackLock. This takeover of RansomHub could lead to a significant shift in the RaaS model, potentially leading to affiliates developing their own brands and further fragmenting the threat landscape.
Researchers infiltrated the online infrastructure associated with BlackLock ransomware and uncovered configuration files, credentials, and a history of executed commands. This also resulted in clear web IP addresses being revealed, which were hidden behind Tor infrastructure. BlackLock, which emerged in January 2025 and was previously known as El_Dorado, had listed 46 victims prior to the incident. Coincidently (or maybe using the same exploit) BlackLock’s leak site was also defaced. Hunters International, a RaaS group that some believe evolved from Hive, appears to be rebranding and shifting operations, moving away from an unprofitable and risky ransomware business and focusing solely on exfiltrating data and extorting victims. The decision appears to come in the wake of international law enforcement operations. Hunters appears to be shifting its operations, dropping the encryption part of the equation and focusing purely on data exfiltration and extortion, launching under the name “World Leaks”. Recommended read:
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