The attack begins with documents designed to resemble routine workplace material. On the surface, these files appear harmless, but they conceal code that runs without drawing attention. Visual elements within the documents are deliberately used to keep victims focused, giving the malware time to execute unseen. Fortinet researchers noted that these visuals are not cosmetic but strategic, helping attackers establish deeper access before suspicion arises.
A defining feature of the campaign is its coordinated use of multiple public cloud services. Instead of relying on a single platform, different components are distributed across GitHub and Dropbox. Scripts are hosted on GitHub, while executable payloads such as ransomware and remote access tools are stored on Dropbox. This fragmented infrastructure improves resilience, as disabling one service does not interrupt the entire attack chain and complicates takedown efforts.
Phishing emails deliver compressed archives that contain decoy documents alongside malicious Windows shortcut files labeled in Russian. These shortcuts use double file extensions to impersonate ordinary text files. When opened, they trigger a PowerShell command that retrieves additional code from a public GitHub repository, functioning as an initial installer. The process runs silently, modifies system settings to conceal later actions, and opens a legitimate-looking document to maintain the illusion of normal activity.
After execution, the attackers receive confirmation via the Telegram Bot API. A deliberate delay follows before launching an obfuscated Visual Basic Script, which assembles later-stage payloads directly in memory. This approach minimizes forensic traces and allows attackers to update functionality without altering the broader attack flow.
The malware then aggressively disables security protections. Microsoft Defender exclusions are configured, protection modules are shut down, and the defendnot utility is used to deceive Windows into disabling antivirus defenses entirely. Registry modifications block administrative tools, repeated prompts seek elevated privileges, and continuous surveillance is established through automated screenshots exfiltrated via Telegram.
Once defenses are neutralized, Amnesia RAT is downloaded from Dropbox. The malware enables extensive data theft from browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, messaging apps, and system metadata, while providing full remote control of infected devices. In parallel, ransomware derived from the Hakuna Matata family encrypts files, manipulates clipboard data to redirect cryptocurrency transactions, and ultimately locks the system using WinLocker.
Fortinet emphasized that the campaign reflects a broader shift in phishing operations, where attackers increasingly weaponize legitimate tools and psychological manipulation instead of exploiting software flaws. Microsoft advises enabling Tamper Protection and monitoring Defender changes to reduce exposure, as similar attacks are becoming more widespread across Russian organizations.
