Researchers detailed two active Russia-linked threat operations using different intrusion models to target Western organizations. TA577, a phishing group active since 2020, was observed sending HTML attachments that force outbound SMB connections to file:// URLs in order to capture NTLMv2 authentication handshakes and steal credential hashes. Infrastructure hunting tied the campaign to a narrowed set of likely servers identified through Impacket-like 8-character SMB target names, a distinctive SMB server GUID, shared SSH banner hashes, and recurring hosting patterns across providers including GLOBALWAYS; some hosts also exposed a "We’ll back soon.." page, login panels, or default Apache pages.
A separate analysis examined NoName057(16), a pro-Russian hacktivist collective that has sustained disruptive attacks against Western targets, especially Italian banks, government entities, military infrastructure, and public administrations. The group operates a volunteer-driven DDoS ecosystem known as DDosia or People Go Stresser 2.0, combining attack tools, support channels, operational guidance, and cryptocurrency rewards to coordinate participants. Its operations primarily use Layer 7 HTTP floods and Layer 4 TCP-SYN attacks, with most traffic aimed at TLS/443 services but also hitting SSH, FTP, and secure email ports; researchers also noted prior links between the collective and Bobik RAT infections used to support DDoS activity.

TTPs, infrastructure, and targeting history in one profile.
6 events from the most recent confirmed update back to the earliest known activity.
The November 2024 report describes NoName057(16)'s reliance on the DDosia, or 'People Go Stresser 2.0,' ecosystem, including attack tooling, support channels, operational guidance, and cryptocurrency-based rewards for participants.
The L M reference says the pro-Russian hacktivist collective NoName057(16) has been highly active since March 2022, primarily conducting DDoS attacks against Western organizations.
A later community hunt rule highlighted the significance of four ASNs and the SMB authentication type 1.3.6.1.4.1.311.2.2.10 for identifying infrastructure linked to the TA577 campaign.
Using hunt rules based on Impacket-like 8-character SMB target names, a distinctive SMB server GUID, and a shared SSH banner hash, the Intel-Ops analysis reduced 257 IPs to 27 likely related hosts, including six known true positives.
Deutsche Telekom CERT reported TA577 sending HTML files that trigger outbound SMB connections to file:// URLs in an attempt to capture victims' NTLMv2 handshake data and credential hashes.
The Intel-Ops reference states that TA577, a Russia-based threat group, has been known for phishing campaigns since 2020 and has delivered malware including Qbot, IcedID, SystemBC, SmokeLoader, Ursnif, Cobalt Strike, and later Pikabot and DarkGate.
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