Most universities have a careers fair. At Bauman Moscow State Technical University, however, an elite group of students appear to have something rather more unusual: a direct pipeline into some of the world's most notorious state-sponsored hacking groups. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.

Poland’s ABW confirmed hackers breached ICS at five water plants, gaining ability to alter equipment settings. Russia-linked APT groups suspected.

Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) has published a detailed account of a sustained campaign targeting the country’s water plants, documenting security breaches at five water treatment facilities in 2025. The incidents mark one of the clearest documented cases in Europe of state-linked hackers gaining direct access to industrial control systems managing public water supplies.

The affected facilities were located in Jabłonna Lacka, Szczytno, Małdyty, Tolkmicko, and Sierakowo. In several cases, attackers didn’t just observe, they obtained the ability to modify operational parameters of equipment in real time, creating a direct and concrete risk to the continuity of public water services. A breach of this kind isn’t a data theft. It is the digital equivalent of sabotage.

“In some cases, the attackers gained access to industrial control systems and obtained the capability to modify device operating parameters.” reads the report published by ABW. “This created a direct threat to the continuity of water supply processes and the proper functioning of municipal infrastructure.”

The attack vectors ABW identified are as unglamorous as they are alarming: weak password policies and systems left directly exposed to the internet. These are not sophisticated zero-day exploits. They are basic security failures that the OT and ICS security community has been warning about for years.

“The incidents were made possible by inadequate security measures, including weak password policies and the exposure of management interfaces directly to the public internet.” continues the report. “In several cases, systems responsible for operational technology were accessible without sufficient protection mechanisms.”

The attribution points firmly eastward. ABW identified Russian APT groups APT28 and APT29, the same actors linked to election interference across Europe and the SolarWinds supply chain attack, as well as UNC1151, a Belarusian-aligned group previously connected to the Ghostwriter operation targeting NATO countries.

“APT28, APT29 and UNC1151 are among the most active state-linked cyber espionage groups operating against European targets.” concludes the report. “Their activities combine intelligence collection, disruptive cyber operations and coordinated information warfare campaigns.”

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Water Plants)

A new open-source cybersecurity platform called DarkMoon has emerged as a significant advancement in autonomous penetration testing.

It provides security teams and DevSecOps professionals with a fully AI-powered vulnerability assessment system. DarkMoon integrates over 50 specialized offensive security tools, all managed through a controlled execution interface.

DarkMoon is an automated penetration testing platform that uses artificial intelligence to orchestrate complete security assessments without manual intervention.

Unlike traditional vulnerability scanners, DarkMoon deploys a multi-agent AI architecture where specialized sub-agents reason, plan, and execute real offensive security operations through a controlled Model Context Protocol (MCP) interface, a gatekeeper layer that ensures the AI never directly touches the underlying system.

The platform aligns with recognized security frameworks, including ISO 27001, NIST SP 800-115, and the MITRE ATT&CK methodology, making it a standards-compliant option for organizations seeking repeatable, evidence-based assessments.

DarkMoon AI-Powered Platform

When a target is provided via the command line, DarkMoon automatically progresses through a multi-phase assessment: discovering open ports and services, fingerprinting the technology stack, modeling the attack surface, and then deploying specialized sub-agents based on what it detects.

The platform dynamically triggers agents tailored to discovered technologies:

• CMS Agent — activates for WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Magento, and Moodle environments
• Stack-Specific Agent — targets PHP, Node.js, Flask, ASP.NET, Spring Boot, and Ruby on Rails
• Active Directory Agent — covers NetExec, BloodHound, and 30+ Impacket scripts
• Kubernetes Agent — uses kubectl, Kubescape, and Kubeletctl
• GraphQL Agent — handles GraphQL-specific attack surfaces
• Headless Browser Agent — deployed when browser rendering is required

Multiple agents can execute in parallel across a hybrid infrastructure, significantly accelerating assessment timelines compared to sequential manual testing.

DarkMoon ships with a purpose-built Docker image housing over 50 compiled security tools organized by category.

Port scanning is handled by Naabu and Masscan; web application testing leverages Nuclei, ffuf, sqlmap, Arjun, and wafw00f; reconnaissance uses Subfinder, Katana, Waybackurls, and httpx; CMS testing relies on WPScan and CMSeeK; and network enumeration employs Hydra, dig, and SNMP tooling.

All tools are accessible inside the Docker toolbox without path configuration — the AI reasons and plans, the MCP controls execution, and the Docker container runs the tools in isolation.

DarkMoon is designed for security teams running continuous automated testing, DevSecOps engineers integrating security into CI/CD pipelines, bug bounty hunters accelerating target analysis, and security researchers exploring adaptive attack surfaces in real time.

The platform supports bug bounty mode natively, with command-line flags such as FOCUS, EXCLUDE, SEVERITY, and FORMAT=h1 interpreted directly by the AI agent.

DarkMoon is available on GitHub at github.com/ASCIT31/Dark-Moon and requires only Docker, Docker Compose, and an LLM API key from providers such as Anthropic, OpenAI, or OpenRouter with local model support via Ollama and llama.cpp also available.

The platform represents a broader industry trend toward autonomous AI-driven penetration testing that scales beyond the limits of human-only security teams.

Cybercriminals now enter through your suppliers instead of your front door – Free Webinar

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To stop children from bypassing its age checks, Meta is revamping its age-verification tools with an AI system that analyzes images and videos for “visual cues,” such as height and bone structure.

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The collaboration between the Unique Identification Authority of India and the National Forensic Sciences University marks a significant development in India's security landscape and digital forensics. In a move aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, UIDAI and NFSU have formalized a five-year partnership to advance research, training, and operational capabilities in cybersecurity and digital forensics. 

According to an official statement, UIDAI and NFSU have established a structured collaboration designed to address emerging challenges in cybersecurity and digital forensics.

UIDAI and NFSU Join Forces on Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

The agreement, announced on May 5 in Ahmedabad, provides a comprehensive framework to bring together expertise from both institutions. It is intended to reinforce cyber resilience across UIDAI’s systems, which form the backbone of India’s digital identity ecosystem.  The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology highlighted that this partnership creates an umbrella structure for coordinated efforts in research, technical development, and capacity building. The initiative underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity and digital forensics as critical components of national digital infrastructure. 

Six Strategic Pillars Driving UIDAI and NFSU Collaboration 

The UIDAI and NFSU partnership is structured around six key pillars, each targeting specific aspects of cybersecurity and digital forensics. These include academic and professional development, aimed at building skilled talent in the field, as well as strengthening information security and system integrity within UIDAI’s ecosystem.  Another major focus area is the development of advanced forensic infrastructure and laboratory capabilities. This will support deeper investigation and analysis of cyber incidents. Additionally, the agreement outlines provisions for technical support in cybersecurity operations, ensuring that UIDAI benefits from NFSU’s specialized expertise.  The collaboration also emphasizes joint research and technical advisory in emerging technologies. Areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptography, and deepfake detection are expected to play a central role. The sixth pillar focuses on strategic placement and outreach, creating pathways for NFSU students to gain hands-on experience and career opportunities within UIDAI-related projects. 

Strengthening India’s Digital Backbone

India’s digital identity framework, powered by UIDAI, requires continuous upgrades to counter evolving cyber threats. The UIDAI and NFSU partnership aims to address this need by integrating advanced cybersecurity and digital forensics practices into the system’s core operations. UIDAI Chief Executive Officer Vivek Chandra Verma described the agreement as a crucial step toward enhancing the security architecture of India’s digital public infrastructure. He stated that the collaboration will significantly improve forensic readiness and resilience, ensuring stronger protection against cyber risks. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both institutions, including Deputy Director General Abhishek Kumar Singh and NFSU Gujarat Campus Director S. O. Junare. Their presence highlighted the institutional commitment to advancing cybersecurity and digital forensics through sustained collaboration. 

Expanding Access While Enhancing Security 

Alongside this partnership, UIDAI has also taken steps to improve accessibility to its services. Collaborations with digital platforms like MapmyIndia and Google now allow users to locate authorized Aadhaar centers more easily. These platforms provide information on available services, operating hours, and accessibility features. While these initiatives focus on user convenience, they also align with the broader objective of strengthening the integrity of India’s digital identity system. By combining improved accessibility with robust cybersecurity and digital forensics measures, UIDAI aims to maintain trust in its infrastructure.

Australia has announced the creation of a Cyber Incident Review Board, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to respond to and learn from major cyberattacks. The initiative places Australia among a small group of jurisdictions globally that have formalised independent review mechanisms to assess significant cyber incidents and improve long-term resilience. The Cyber Incident Review Board will conduct no-fault, post-incident reviews of major cybersecurity events affecting both government and private sector organisations. Rather than assigning blame, the board’s mandate is to identify systemic gaps and generate actionable recommendations to improve how Australia prevents, detects and responds to cyber threats. Established under the Cyber Security Act 2024, the board is a central element of the government’s 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy. The broader goal is to position Australia as one of the most cyber secure nations by the end of the decade, supported by resilient infrastructure, prepared communities and stronger industry practices. Officials said the Cyber Incident Review Board will focus on extracting lessons from incidents and translating them into practical steps that can reduce the likelihood and impact of future attacks.

Cyber Incident Review Board Brings Leaders From Cross-Sector 

The government has appointed a panel of senior cybersecurity and industry leaders to the Cyber Incident Review Board. The board will be chaired by Narelle Devine, Global Chief Information Security Officer at Telstra. Other members include Debi Ashenden of the University of New South Wales, Valeska Bloch from Allens, Jessica Burleigh of Boeing Australia, Darren Kane from NBN Co, Berin Lautenbach of Toll Group and Nathan Morelli from SA Power Networks. The group brings experience across cybersecurity operations, legal frameworks, governance, national security and critical infrastructure. Authorities said this mix is designed to ensure independent, credible advice that reflects both technical and policy realities.

Government Emphasises Learning Over Blame

Australia’s Minister for Cyber Security Tony Burke said the Cyber Incident Review Board will play a key role in ensuring continuous improvement in national cyber defence. “We know that cyber attacks are constant. This guarantees we learn from every attack and keep increasing our resilience,” Burke said in a statement. He added that the board will examine major cybersecurity incidents, develop findings and provide recommendations that can be applied across sectors. The no-fault model is intended to encourage cooperation from affected organisations, while still producing insights that can benefit the wider ecosystem.

Response Shaped by Recent High-Profile Cyberattacks

The creation of the Cyber Incident Review Board follows a series of major cyber incidents in Australia, including breaches involving health insurer Medibank and telecom provider Optus. These events exposed sensitive customer data and triggered widespread public concern, increasing pressure on the government to strengthen cybersecurity oversight. By introducing structured post-incident reviews, authorities aim to ensure that lessons from such breaches are not lost and can inform future preparedness efforts.

How Australia’s Approach Compares Globally

Australia’s Cyber Incident Review Board aligns with similar efforts internationally but includes some distinct features. The European Union has established a comparable mechanism under its Cyber Solidarity Act, tasking the EU Agency for Cybersecurity with reviewing significant cross-border incidents. However, that framework has yet to be tested in practice. In the United States, a cyber safety review board has already examined several incidents, including a high-profile breach involving Microsoft. That report pointed to avoidable security failures and called for cultural and leadership changes within the company, prompting CEO Satya Nadella to prioritise security across operations. However, earlier U.S. reviews, such as those into the Log4j vulnerability and the Lapsus$ group, were criticised for lacking focus and impact. Analysts noted that broader, less targeted reviews made it harder to drive accountability or meaningful change.

Stronger Powers to Ensure Participation

One notable difference in Australia’s model is its ability to compel organisations to provide information if they decline to participate voluntarily. This marks a shift from the U.S. approach, which relied on cooperation from affected entities. Experts have argued that such powers could improve the depth and accuracy of findings, ensuring that the Cyber Incident Review Board has access to critical data when analysing incidents. At the same time, the framework stops short of allowing flexible expansion of board membership for specialised cases, an idea that has been suggested in international policy discussions.

Focus on Long-Term Cyber Preparedness

The Cyber Incident Review Board is expected to become a key mechanism in shaping Australia’s cybersecurity posture over the coming years. By systematically reviewing incidents and sharing lessons across sectors, the government hopes to build a more coordinated and resilient defence against evolving cyber threats. With cyberattacks continuing to target critical infrastructure, businesses and public services, the success of the Cyber Incident Review Board will likely depend on its ability to translate insights into measurable improvements across the national ecosystem.

Meta patched two WhatsApp flaws affecting iOS, Android, and Windows users, including bugs tied to risky files, links, and Reels previews.

The post New WhatsApp Flaws Could Affect Billions of Users After Meta Security Patch appeared first on TechRepublic.

Hackers abused Google AppSheet to send Meta phishing emails, compromising 30,000 Facebook business accounts across 50 countries.

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The global digital rights conference RightsCon 2026 has been cancelled just days before its scheduled start in Lusaka, after Zambia’s government intervened, citing concerns over the event’s themes and participation. The decision has left thousands of attendees stranded or forced to change plans, marking a major disruption for one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on digital rights. The conference, hosted by Access Now, was set to begin on May 5 and expected to bring together more than 2,600 in-person participants and 1,100 online attendees from over 150 countries. However, organisers confirmed that RightsCon 2026 will not proceed either in Zambia or virtually.

Sudden Cancellation of RightsCon 2026

The first indication of trouble emerged when Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science raised concerns about incomplete security clearances and the nature of the conference’s discussions. Soon after, state-owned media announced that the government had “postponed” the event. Organisers say the move came without formal consultation. In a detailed statement, Access Now described the situation as unprecedented and deeply disruptive. “To our community, We are devastated to be writing to you instead of gathering together as planned and we know we’re not alone. The frustration and disappointment stemming from the loss of RightsCon 2026 is felt deeply by all of us, especially our partners in the region who worked tirelessly alongside our team.” The organisation added that the scale of the event made postponement impractical, noting that planning had been underway for more than a year with over 500 sessions scheduled.

Allegations of Foreign Interference

A key issue highlighted by organisers was alleged external pressure linked to participation from Taiwanese civil society groups. According to Access Now, concerns were raised after communication from Zambian officials regarding diplomatic pressure. “We believe foreign interference is the reason RightsCon 2026 won’t proceed in Zambia or online.” The organisers said they were informally told that for the conference to go ahead, certain topics would need to be moderated and some communities excluded, including Taiwanese participants. This, they said, crossed a fundamental line. “This was our red line. Not because we were unwilling to engage, but because the conditions set before us were unacceptable and counter to what RightsCon is and what Access Now stands for.”

Breakdown in Communication

Access Now detailed a breakdown in communication with Zambian authorities in the final days leading up to the event. Despite prior agreements, including a signed memorandum of understanding and coordination on visa processes, organisers said they received no clear explanation before the cancellation was publicly announced. At 9:33 pm local time on April 28, the postponement was reported in the media before organisers received official confirmation. A formal letter followed later, stating that the decision was “necessitated by the need for comprehensive disclosure of critical information relating to key thematic issues proposed for discussion.” Organisers said the explanation lacked clarity and did not specify actionable concerns.

Impact on Global Digital Rights Community

The cancellation of RightsCon 2026 has had immediate consequences for the global digital rights community. Thousands of participants were already travelling to Lusaka when the announcement was made. “It is with heavy hearts that we share: RightsCon will not proceed in Zambia or online.” “We do not recommend registered participants travel to Lusaka for RightsCon.” The event has long been considered a key platform for discussions on internet governance, privacy, cybersecurity, and freedom of expression. Its cancellation raises broader concerns about shrinking civic space and restrictions on global dialogue. Access Now described the situation as part of a wider challenge facing civil society. “We see this unilateral decision, and the way it was taken, as evidence of the far reach of transnational repression targeting civil society, and effectively shrinking the spaces in which we operate.”

What Comes Next After RightsCon 2026 Cancellation

Despite the setback, organisers reaffirmed their commitment to the event’s mission and the broader digital rights movement. “RightsCon may not happen in Zambia, but we will come together again; how and where we do so will be informed by you, our community.” Access Now also acknowledged the support received from partners, governments, and participants in the aftermath of the cancellation. The abrupt halt of RightsCon 2026 highlights the challenges facing international forums that address sensitive issues such as digital freedoms.

A new open-source project called CVE MCP Server is redefining how security teams triage vulnerabilities, transforming Anthropic’s Claude AI into a fully capable security analyst by giving it direct, correlated access to 27 intelligence tools spanning 21 external APIs all through a single natural-language query.

Every security analyst knows the painful reality: triaging even a single CVE can mean opening a dozen browser tabs simultaneously, NVD for CVSS scores, EPSS for exploitation probability, CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, GitHub for patch status, VirusTotal for malware associations, Shodan for exposed hosts, and more.

Industry data confirms this bottleneck is severe, with EPSS v4 research showing that 96% of CVE alerts that fall below an exploitation threshold go completely uninvestigated due to manual workload alone.

For teams managing 50 or more CVEs simultaneously, that fragmented workflow can consume an entire workday.

Released on GitHub by developer Mahipal (mukul975), CVE MCP Server is a production-grade implementation of Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) an open standard that enables seamless integration between LLM applications and external data sources and tools.

CVE MCP Server With 27 Tools

The server integrates Claude with 27 security tools organized into five categories: Core Vulnerability Intelligence, Exploit & Attack Intelligence, Advanced Risk & Reporting, Network Intelligence, and Threat Intelligence.

Built with Python, FastMCP, httpx, aiosqlite, Pydantic v2, and defusedxml, the entire stack operates via outbound HTTPS only, no inbound ports, no telemetry, no API keys ever logged.

The tool catalog is extensive and immediately production-ready. Core vulnerability tools include lookup_cve (NVD), get_epss_score (FIRST), check_kev_status (CISA), and bulk_cve_lookup for batch-fetching up to 20 CVEs in parallel.

Exploit intelligence tools map CVEs to MITRE ATT&CK techniques, check PoC availability across GitHub and Exploit-DB, and retrieve CAPEC attack patterns.

Network intelligence layers in AbuseIPDB reputation scoring, GreyNoise scan activity, Shodan host profiling, and CIRCL Passive DNS. Threat intelligence tools connect to VirusTotal, MalwareBazaar, ThreatFox for IOC lookups, and Ransomwhere for ransomware Bitcoin address tracking.

At the heart of the project is a weighted risk scoring formula that moves beyond CVSS-only prioritization, a methodology aligned with the industry shift toward multi-signal triage.

The formula weights EPSS probability at 35%, CISA KEV status at 30%, CVSS at 20%, and PoC availability at 15%, with boost multipliers applied for active KEV+PoC combinations, CVSS ≥ 9.0 with high EPSS, and recently published CVEs.

A score of 76–100 triggers a CRITICAL label requiring patching within 24–48 hours under an emergency change window.

One notable design decision is accessibility: eight tools require zero API keys to function, including EPSS, CISA KEV, OSV.dev, MITRE ATT&CK, CWE lookups, CVSS parsing, Ransomwhere, and NVD at a reduced rate.

Teams can deploy and begin querying immediately, then progressively add Tier 1 keys (NVD, GitHub) for 10× throughput and Tier 2 keys (AbuseIPDB, VirusTotal, GreyNoise, Shodan) for full multi-domain intelligence.

The server also addresses the software supply chain angle with three DevSecOps tools: scan_dependencies queries OSV.dev for vulnerable package versions, scan_github_advisories searches GitHub Security Advisories by ecosystem, and urlscan_check analyzes suspicious URLs.

In a single Claude prompt, a developer can scan an entire requirements.txt and receive prioritized upgrade recommendations.

The CVE MCP Server is available now at github.com/mukul975/cve-mcp-server under an open-source license, with Claude Desktop and Claude Code configuration supported out of the box.

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The APRA AI risk warning has placed banks, insurers, and superannuation trustees on alert as Australia’s financial regulator calls for a significant uplift in how artificial intelligence is governed across the sector. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has stated that current governance, risk management, and operational resilience practices are not keeping pace with the rapid adoption of AI. In a letter to regulated entities, APRA said the APRA AI risk warning follows a targeted supervisory review conducted late last year across major financial institutions. The review assessed how AI is being deployed and governed across the industry and found widening gaps between technology adoption and risk control frameworks.

APRA AI Risk Warning on Governance and Operational Gaps

The APRA AI risk warning highlights that AI is increasingly being embedded into operational systems, customer services, and decision-making tools across regulated entities. While adoption is accelerating, APRA observed that governance structures have not matured at the same speed. According to the regulator, assurance practices remain fragmented, particularly in areas involving cyber security, data protection, procurement, and operational resilience. The APRA AI risk warning notes that many organisations are still relying on traditional risk management approaches that are not designed for AI-driven systems. Another key concern raised in the APRA AI risk warning is the limited visibility over how AI models are trained, updated, or modified when embedded within third-party platforms. This lack of transparency, APRA said, reduces the ability of institutions to fully assess risks linked to model behaviour and system dependencies.

Board Oversight Gaps Highlighted in APRA Warning

The APRA AI risk warning also draws attention to board-level oversight challenges. While boards show strong interest in AI-driven productivity and customer service improvements, many still lack sufficient technical understanding to effectively challenge management decisions. APRA observed that some boards are heavily reliant on vendor summaries and presentations rather than detailed internal assessments of AI risk exposure. The APRA AI risk warning stresses that this creates blind spots in governance, particularly when dealing with unpredictable model outputs and operational risks.

AI Risk Warning Flags Cyber and Concentration Risks

Cybersecurity is a major focus of the APRA AI risk warning, with APRA noting that advanced AI models could significantly increase the speed and scale of cyberattacks. The regulator specifically referenced frontier AI models that may assist malicious actors in identifying system vulnerabilities more efficiently. The APRA AI risk warning also highlights growing concentration risk, where institutions depend heavily on single AI providers across multiple use cases. APRA cautioned that insufficient contingency planning in such scenarios could create operational vulnerabilities if service disruptions occur.

Fragmented Risk Management Systems

A key theme in the APRA AI risk warning is the fragmented nature of current risk management frameworks. AI-related risks often cut across multiple domains, including cyber security, privacy, procurement, and operational risk. However, APRA found that existing systems are not always integrated enough to manage these overlaps effectively. The regulator said this fragmentation limits the ability of financial institutions to gain a complete view of AI-related exposure and weakens overall assurance mechanisms.

Expectations for Stronger Controls

APRA Member Therese McCarthy Hockey stated that financial institutions must adapt quickly to manage emerging risks while continuing to leverage AI for efficiency and service improvements. She noted that while AI presents significant opportunities, organisations must ensure their systems are capable of identifying and responding to vulnerabilities at a pace matching AI-driven threats. The APRA AI risk warning outlines expectations for boards to maintain sufficient understanding of AI systems, set clear risk appetite frameworks, and ensure stronger oversight of third-party dependencies. APRA also expects clearer triggers for intervention when systems do not operate as intended.

Ongoing Supervisory Focus

The APRA AI risk warning confirms that while no new regulatory requirements are being introduced at this stage, APRA expects immediate improvements in how institutions manage AI-related risks. The regulator has indicated that it will continue to monitor AI adoption closely and may consider further policy action if necessary. APRA also stated it will continue engaging with domestic and international regulators to assess emerging risks linked to AI technologies and their impact on financial system stability.

Suspected Russian phishing via Signal targeted German officials, exploiting trust to access accounts and sensitive political communications.

A new wave of cyber operations targeting European political leadership is once again highlighting how modern espionage increasingly relies on deception rather than technical exploits. Recent investigations by German authorities point to a large-scale phishing campaign conducted via the Signal messaging platform, with strong suspicions of Russian involvement.

According to multiple reports [1, 2, 3], the campaign targeted high-profile individuals, including German politicians, ministers, military personnel, diplomats, and journalists. German prosecutors have launched an investigation into what they believe may be a coordinated espionage effort, with early evidence suggesting a state-sponsored actor.

The attack did not rely on malware or vulnerabilities in Signal itself. Instead, it exploited human trust—arguably the weakest link in cybersecurity. Victims were approached through messages impersonating official Signal support or trusted contacts, prompting them to share authentication codes, scan malicious QR codes, or click on crafted links. Once compromised, attackers gained access to private chats, contact lists, and potentially sensitive political discussions.

One of the most notable targets was Julia Klöckner, whose account was reportedly compromised through a phishing attempt embedded in what appeared to be a legitimate group chat linked to her political party. The operation also attempted to target German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, although no compromise was confirmed in that case.

Authorities estimate that hundreds of accounts may have been affected. While Berlin has not formally attributed the campaign, intelligence sources increasingly point toward Russian involvement, consistent with a broader pattern of cyber activities aimed at European democracies.

“The German government suspects Russia is behind a series of phishing attacks on Signal targeting high-ranking politicians, including two government ministers, military personnel and journalists, a government spokesperson said.

“Federal prosecutors have been conducting a preliminary investigation since mid-February 2026 into alleged cyberattacks on Signal accounts, a spokesperson for the federal prosecutors confirmed on Saturday. Among other things, the investigation involves an initial suspicion of espionage, she added, without specifying which country might be involved.” reads the report published by the Associated Press.

“The German government has still not officially attributed the attacks to Russia.”

This incident is not isolated. Over the past decade, Western intelligence agencies have repeatedly linked Russian state-backed groups to cyber espionage and influence operations targeting political institutions. These activities are part of a broader strategy often described as “hybrid warfare,” where cyber operations, disinformation, and psychological tactics are combined to achieve geopolitical objectives without direct military confrontation.

Security experts stress that what makes this campaign particularly concerning is its simplicity and effectiveness. Instead of exploiting software flaws, attackers leveraged legitimate platform features and social engineering techniques. This approach allows them to bypass many traditional security controls and remain largely undetected.

We are witnessing a new phase of hybrid warfare, where attackers don’t need to break encryption—they just trick the user. The human factor has become the primary attack surface.”

Targeting secure messaging platforms like Signal demonstrates how threat actors adapt quickly to changing communication habits. When politicians and officials move to more secure platforms, adversaries follow them. The battlefield is no longer the infrastructure, but the user.”

Another critical aspect is the potential impact. Access to private conversations between political leaders, policymakers, and diplomats can provide strategic intelligence, enable blackmail, or support disinformation campaigns. Even limited breaches can undermine trust in secure communication tools and institutions.

German authorities, including the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), have already issued warnings about similar tactics earlier this year. They highlighted that such campaigns are likely ongoing and could expand to other platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram.

The broader implication is clear: cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue but a geopolitical one. As digital communication becomes central to governance, diplomacy, and decision-making, it also becomes a primary target for intelligence operations.

This campaign serves as a reminder that even the most secure technologies cannot protect against deception if users are not adequately trained and aware. In today’s threat landscape, resilience depends not only on encryption and infrastructure but also on human vigilance.

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – German officials, Bundestag)

ASEC Blog publishes Ransom & Dark Web Issues Week 5, April 2026           Emergence of a new ransomware group, M3RX Data from a South Korean religious organization sold on DarkForums ShinyHunters claims a data leak from a US interactive media company

US-Estonian suspect Peter Stokes arrested in Finland over alleged ties to Scattered Spider, facing US charges for cyberattacks, fraud, and data breaches.

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