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COLDRIVER APT Group Uses ClickFix Tactics to Deliver BAITSWITCH and SIMPLEFIX Malware

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The COLDRIVER APT group has launched a new campaign using ClickFix tactics to deliver two new malware families, BAITSWITCH and SIMPLEFIX. The campaign targets individuals and organizations connected to Russia, including NGOs, human rights defenders, and think tanks. BAITSWITCH acts as a downloader for SIMPLEFIX, a PowerShell backdoor. The attack chain involves tricking victims into running a malicious DLL via a fake CAPTCHA check, leading to the deployment of the SIMPLEFIX backdoor. The malware exfiltrates specific file types and establishes communication with a command-and-control server. The campaign aligns with COLDRIVER's known victimology, focusing on civil society members connected to Russia. The group has been active since 2019, using spear-phishing and custom tools like SPICA and LOSTKEYS. The latest campaign demonstrates the group's continued use of effective infection vectors, despite their lack of technical sophistication.

Timeline

  1. 26.09.2025 15:45 1 articles · 3d ago

    COLDRIVER Launches New Campaign Using BAITSWITCH and SIMPLEFIX Malware

    In September 2025, the COLDRIVER APT group launched a new campaign using ClickFix tactics to deliver BAITSWITCH and SIMPLEFIX malware. The campaign targets individuals and organizations connected to Russia, including NGOs, human rights defenders, and think tanks. The attack chain involves a fake CAPTCHA check to trick victims into running a malicious DLL, leading to the deployment of the SIMPLEFIX backdoor. The malware exfiltrates specific file types and establishes communication with a command-and-control server.

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