Tag Archive for: soldier

Advanced Espionage Malware “Stealth Soldier” Hits Libyan Firms


The Stealth Soldier campaign marks the possible reappearance of a threat actor known as “The Eye on the Nile” since its last operation in 2019.

Check Point Research has recently uncovered a series of highly-targeted espionage attacks in Libya, shedding light on a previously undisclosed backdoor called Stealth Soldier. This sophisticated malware operates as a custom modular backdoor with surveillance functionalities, including file exfiltration, screen and microphone recording, keystroke logging, and stealing browser information.

The campaign, which appears to be targeting Libyan organizations, marks the possible re-appearance of a threat actor known as “The Eye on the Nile” since its last operation in 2019.

Advanced Espionage Malware "Stealth Soldier" Hits Libyan Firms

Stealth Soldier, an implant used in limited and targeted attacks, has shown active maintenance with the latest version, Version 9, compiled in February 2023. Check Point Research’s investigation began with the discovery of multiple files submitted to VirusTotal between November 2022 and January 2023 from Libya.

These files, named in Arabic, such as “هام وعاجل.exe” (Important and Urgent.exe) and “برقية 401.exe” (Telegram 401.exe), turned out to be downloaders for different versions of the Stealth Soldier malware.

The execution flow of Stealth Soldier starts with the downloader, which triggers the infection chain. Although the delivery mechanism of the downloader remains unknown, social engineering is suspected.

The malware’s infection process involves downloading multiple files from the Command and Control (C&C) server, including the loader, watchdog, and payload. These components work together to establish persistence and execute the surveillance functionalities.

First, the loader downloads an internal module called PowerPlus to enable PowerShell commands and create persistence. Then, the watchdog periodically checks for updated versions of the loader and runs it accordingly. Finally, the payload collects data, receives commands from the C&C server, and executes various modules based on the attacker’s instructions.

The victim’s information collected by the Stealth Soldier’s payload includes the…

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Edmonton soldier awarded prestigious service medal for work at NORAD


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An Edmonton soldier has been awarded the U.S. Defence Meritorious Service medal for his five years of work with the North American Aerospace Defence Command.

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Master Warrant Officer Patrick Love held multiple positions while at NORAD, a joint bi-national command with the U.S. Northern Command, from 2015-2020.

“It was pretty exciting, actually, because not everybody receives this medal and it’s one of the higher-ranked American awards. So, it was an honour to get it as a Canadian,” said Love of the award issued by the United States Department of Defence.

The 57-year-old said NORAD conducts aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning in the defence of North America. Love looked after the cyber domain for training and headed the 24-hour crew at NORAD. The agency is based in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Love said his stint at NORAD was during a key time in the evolution of cyber warfare, a growing threat in which computers and information technology are used as weapons.

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“For myself, it was a lot of learning new things. The cyber realm is fairly new to the Canadian Forces, the Americans are a little bit further ahead, but for myself it was a very steep learning curve, but I did learn a lot and enjoyed working there,” he said.

Love is now posted to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright, Alta. as the sergeant major.

The training centre conducts exercises such Maple Resolve, a large and complex operation of the army involving multiple units.

“What we do is we go out and we observe and give recommendations on how to better what they’re doing, with the end goal of course preparing them to be able to deploy outside of Canada on any mission the Canadian government would choose to send us on,” he said.

Four generations of Love’s family have served in the army. He followed his grandfather and parents into the service, and his son has also signed up. He said his family was excited and proud of him for receiving the U.S. award.

Originally from Toronto, Love said he bought a retirement property and will eventually be making Morinville his home.

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