Microsoft researchers have uncovered Russian intelligence agencies using spear-phishing tactics to target victims with QR codes and WhatsApp group chats.
Redmond’s threat intelligence team documented the discovery Thursday with a warning that the Russian APT — tracked as Star Blizzard — has shifted its longstanding spear-phishing tactics to focus on WhatsApp groups.
According to Microsoft, the Kremlin-linked cyberspies are reaching out to typical targets — government or diplomatic figures, defense policy researchers, and organizations offering assistance to Ukraine — via emails that contain intentionally broken QR codes.
“When the recipient responds, Star Blizzard sends a second email containing a Safe Link wrapped t[.]ly shortened link as the alternative link to join the WhatsApp group,” Microsoft warned.
“When this link is followed, the target is redirected to a webpage asking them to scan a QR code to join the group,” the researchers explained, noting that the QR code is actually used by WhatsApp to connect an account to a linked device and/or the WhatsApp Web portal.
“This means that if the target follows the instructions on this page, the threat actor can gain access to the messages in their WhatsApp account and have the capability to exfiltrate this data using existing browser plugins, which are designed for exporting WhatsApp messages from an account accessed via WhatsApp Web.”
Star Blizzard, also tracked as the Callisto Group, is a notorious threat actor known to target military personnel, government officials, think tanks, and journalists in Europe and the South Caucasus. Their primary interest appears to be gathering intelligence related to foreign and security policy in the Eastern Europe and South Caucasus regions.
Microsoft notes that Star Blizzard has proven resilient to takedowns and disruptions. Last year, the US Justice Department seized or took down more than 180 websites linked to the group but this appears to only have a short-term impact on Star Blizzard’s spear-phishing operations.
“We assess the threat actor’s shift to compromising WhatsApp accounts is likely in response to the exposure of their TTPs by Microsoft Threat Intelligence and other organizations, including national cybersecurity agencies,” Microsoft said.
The company said it is directly notifying customers who have been targeted or compromised, providing them with the necessary information to help secure their environments.
Microsoft is recommending that targets remain vigilant about unexpected emails containing QR codes or external links. The company also recommends implementing security measures such as enabling Microsoft Defender for Endpoint across mobile devices, turning on Safe Links for Office 365, and verifying suspicious communications through known contacts before responding.
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