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MalwareUsed by 1 actor

PhantomRelay

PhantomRelay is a modular PowerShell-based remote access trojan (RAT) used by the GREYVIBE threat actor in campaigns targeting Ukraine and broader Eastern European entities since at least August 2025. It is described as a two-stage implant consisting of an initial fingerprinting script followed by the main RAT client. PhantomRelay profiles the host, executes PowerShell scripts and Windows commands, and communicates with command-and-control infrastructure over secure WebSocket connections. WithSecure tracks multiple variants, including PhantomRelayLite, PhantomRelayV1, and PhantomRelayV2; PhantomRelayV1 is noted as including a custom watchdog persistence mechanism. Delivery observed in GREYVIBE operations includes spear-phishing campaigns tracked as PhantomMail, where malicious ZIP or RAR archives hosted on Google Drive or 4sync contained JavaScript-based or PyInstaller-based loaders that launched decoy documents and initiated the PhantomRelay infection chain, and ClickFix-style fake CAPTCHA campaigns tracked as PhantomClick, where bogus Zoom- or LAPAS-themed pages tricked victims into running commands that installed the implant. PhantomRelay was also delivered via fraudulent Ukrainian adult-club lure sites in the PrincessClub campaign. Reported victim sectors include military, government, civilian, and business-related organizations, with confirmed Ukrainian targeting. The malware has also appeared in separate activity clusters outside the core Ukrainian espionage context, including Microsoft Teams voice-phishing and another ClickFix delivery chain observed between February and March 2026. Associated threat reporting links PhantomRelay primarily to GREYVIBE, a Russia-linked, Russian-speaking threat group assessed to align with Russian state intelligence interests while also showing ties to the broader cybercrime ecosystem.

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THREAT ACTORS

Groups observed using it

1 distinct threat actor attributed by public researchers. Open in Mallory to see the full evidence chain and overlapping campaigns.

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GREYVIBE

For instance, PhantomRelay operates as a modular PowerShell-based remote access tool . This client establishes secure websocket connections to interact with command servers .

via security online infosecurityonline.info
MITRE ATT&CK

Techniques & procedures

16 distinct techniques documented for this family, organized by ATT&CK tactic.

Reconnaissance

1 technique
T1598.004Spearphishing VoiceEvidence1

PhantomRelay variants appeared in a Microsoft Teams voice-phishing campaign and a separate ClickFix delivery chain between February and March 2026...

T1583Acquire InfrastructureEvidence1

PhantomMail uses spear-phishing emails with links to malicious archives on Google Drive and 4sync, delivering JavaScript-based loaders and a PowerShell remote access trojan called PhantomRelay.

Initial Access

3 techniques
T1189Drive-by CompromiseEvidence1

The group has leveraged multiple attack vectors, including... fake captcha pages and fraudulent Ukrainian adult club websites, to deliver malware... PrincessClub... fake Ukrainian adult-club websites that deliver Android spyware called FallSpy, or Windows-based RATs depending on the victim’s device.

T1566.001Spearphishing AttachmentEvidence1

Initially, the threat actors initiated at least six unique email-based campaigns. These malicious messages deliver dangerous compression archives hosted on popular public storage services. Furthermore, the files contain automated script loaders that deploy localized documents.

T1566.002Spearphishing LinkEvidence3

The group has leveraged multiple attack vectors, including spear-phishing e-mails... PhantomMail uses spear-phishing emails with links to malicious archives on Google Drive and 4sync, delivering JavaScript-based loaders and a PowerShell remote access trojan called PhantomRelay.

Execution

5 techniques
T1059.001PowerShellEvidence4
TacticExecution

For instance, PhantomRelay operates as a modular PowerShell-based remote access tool.

T1059.003Windows Command ShellEvidence1
TacticExecution

PhantomRelay, a PowerShell-based remote access trojan (RAT) designed to profile the host and run PowerShell scripts and Windows commands.

T1059.007JavaScriptEvidence1
TacticExecution

PhantomMail uses spear-phishing emails with links to malicious archives on Google Drive and 4sync, delivering JavaScript-based loaders...

T1204User ExecutionEvidence4
TacticExecution

Subsequently, the interface instructs landing users to execute localized commands. These commands quietly spawn the primary backdoor client while redirecting users to safe destinations.

T1204.002Malicious FileEvidence1
TacticExecution

The archives contained PyInstaller- or JavaScript-based loaders that launched a decoy (e.g. a PDF document or an error pop-up) while initiating the PhantomRelay infection chain in the background.

Stealth

2 techniques
T1027Obfuscated Files or InformationEvidence1
TacticStealth

Across these campaigns, the group has relied on custom developed obfuscators, loaders, and malware... WithSecure found evidence of AI assistance across multiple parts of the operation... obfuscation scripts...

T1036MasqueradingEvidence2
TacticStealth

PhantomClick uses fake CAPTCHA pages impersonating Zoom and LAPAS... DroneLink uses websites posing as charitable foundations supporting the Ukrainian military... Nebo uses a FallSpy sample designed to mimic a Russian military login screen...

Discovery

1 technique
T1082System Information DiscoveryEvidence2
TacticDiscovery

PhantomRelay, a PowerShell-based remote access trojan (RAT) designed to profile the host...

T1071Application Layer ProtocolEvidence1

The RAT uses WebSockets to communicate with its C2 and supports execution of both PowerShell scripts and Windows commands.

T1071.001Web ProtocolsEvidence1

This client establishes secure websocket connections to interact with command servers. Alternatively, the actors deploy a lightweight REST client called LegionRelay.

T1105Ingress Tool TransferEvidence1

Furthermore, operators can push down extra modules to perform customized tasks on demand.

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Threat actor attribution1

Named campaigns wielding this family, with evidence pinned to each claim.

Exploited vulnerabilities

CVEs this family uses for access and lateral movement.

Detection signatures

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MITRE ATT&CK mapping16

Every documented technique, ranked by evidence weight.

Researcher chatter

Reddit, Mastodon, and CTI community discussion around this family.