Predator spyware operation is back with a new infrastructure

Researchers warn of a fresh cluster of activity associated with the Predator spyware using a new infrastructure, following the U.S. sanctions against the Intellexa Consortium.

Recorded Future researchers warn that the Predator spyware has resurfaced with fresh infrastructure after a decline caused by US sanctions against Intellexa Consortium.

In March 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced actions on two individuals and five entities associated with the Intellexa Consortium for their role in the development and distribution of the commercial Predator spyware used to target Americans. The surveillance software was also used to spy on U.S. government officials, journalists, and policy experts. The Department of the Treasury warns that the proliferation of commercial spyware poses growing risks to the United States. Surveillance software was misused by foreign actors in attacks aimed at dissidents and journalists around the world. 

The Intellexa Consortium was created in 2019, it has acted as a marketing umbrella for various offensive cyber companies that provide commercial spyware and surveillance tools designed for targeted and mass surveillance campaigns. The name “Predator” spyware was used to refer to a collection of surveillance tools that allows to compromise victims’ devices through zero-click attacks.

Predator spyware is known for its extensive data-stealing and surveillance capabilities.

In March 2023, the US Government issued an Executive Order on the prohibition on use by the United States Government of commercial spyware that poses risks to national security.

In July 2023, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added surveillance technology vendors Intellexa and Cytrox to the Entity List for trafficking in cyber exploits used to gain access to information systems.

Following the exposure of the Intellexa group’s operations and sanctions imposed by the US government experts reported a drop in the surveillance firm’s activity and its spyware Predator went out of the radar.

Recorded Future now shows that the decline was likely associated with changes in TTPs adopted by the company in an attempt to evade detection.

“This resurgence highlights Predator’s ongoing use by customers in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Angola.” reads the Recorded Future’s report. “While Predator continues to pose significant privacy and security risks, especially to high-profile individuals like politicians and executives, new infrastructure changes make tracking users more difficult. “

Predator spyware operators added several layers to enhance their infrastructure, anonymize operations and evade detection, making it harder to identify which countries are using the spyware.

The researchers pointed out that despite these upgrades, the attack chain is unchanged, relying on both “one-click” and “zero-click” exploits as vectors, often exploiting browser vulnerabilities. While no fully remote zero-click attacks, like those seen with Pegasus, have been reported, Predator remains a significant threat, especially for targeting high-profile individuals.

“One of the most concerning aspects of Predator’s return is its likely continued targeting of high-profile individuals. Politicians, executives, journalists, and activists are at the highest risk due to the intelligence value they hold for governments or other malicious actors. The costly licensing of Predator further suggests that operators reserve its use for strategic, high-value targets.” concludes the report. “This widespread use of mercenary spyware, particularly against political opposition, has sparked concern in regions like the European Union. Investigations in Greece and Poland have already revealed how spyware has been used against opposition figures and journalists, raising serious questions about the legality and ethics of such surveillance.” Recorded Future says.

As the surveillance market grows, governments and cybersecurity professionals must stay proactive.

In February, a report published by Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG), titled “Buying Spying, an in-depth report with our insights into Commercial Surveillance Vendors (CSVs)”, warned of the rise of commercial spyware vendors and the risks to free speech, the free press, and the open internet.

The surveillance industry is experiencing exponential growth, fueled by the sustained demand from rogue governments, intelligence agencies, and malicious actors for sophisticated malware and surveillance tools.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – ransomware, Predator spyware)