X-Agent
TypeSpyware
Author(s)Fancy Bear[1]
Operating system(s) affectedWindows, Linux, iOS, Android

X-Agent or XAgent is a spyware and malware program designed to collect and transmit hacked files from machines running Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android, to servers operated by hackers. It employs phishing attacks and the program is designed to "hop" from device to device.[2][3][4] In 2016, CrowdStrike identified an Android variant of the malware for the first time, and claimed that the malware targeted members of the Ukrainian military by distributing an infected version of an app to control D-30 Howitzer artillery.[1] The Ukrainian army denied CrowdStrike's report and stated that losses of Howitzer artillery pieces had "nothing to do with the stated cause".[5]

Slovak computer security company ESET obtained the X-Agent source code in 2015 and described its inner workings in a report released in October 2016.[6]

A Washington, DC grand jury indictment (resulting from Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference) charges that agents of the Russian GRU in Moscow "developed, customized and monitored X-Agent malware used to hack the DCCC [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] and DNC [Democratic National Committee] networks beginning in or around April 2016" (item 15, at the end of page 4 and the beginning of page 5).[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "Danger Close: Fancy Bear Tracking of Ukrainian Field Artillery Units". Crowdstrike.com. CrowdStrike. 22 December 2016. CrowdStrike associates the use of X-Agent with an actor we call FANCY BEAR. This actor to date is the exclusive operator of the malware
  2. ^ Williams, Martyn (4 February 2015). "New iOS spyware steals pictures, data, and more even from non-jailbroken iPhones". PC World. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  3. ^ Ranger, Steve (6 February 2015). "iOS spyware steals texts, photos, contacts, switches on voice recorder". ZD Net. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Pawn Storm Update: iOS Espionage App Found". Trend Micro. 4 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Defense ministry denies reports of alleged artillery losses because of Russian hackers' break into software". Interfax-Ukraine. January 6, 2017.
  6. ^ ESET (October 2016). "En Route with Sednit" (PDF). www.welivesecurity.com. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  7. ^ Mueller, Robert (2018). U.S. v. Viktor Borisovich Netyksho, et al . pp. 4-5  – via Wikisource. [scan Wikisource link]


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