Researchers have found a new destructive wiper malware that is impacting computer systems in Ukraine. The malware wipes user data and partition information from all devices attached to an infected machine.
The latest malware was discovered by Slovakia-based cybersecurity firm ESET, making it at least the third strain of wiper to strike Ukrainian networks since the Russian invasion began.
The firm tweeted late on Monday, “ESET research warns about the discovery of a 3rd destructive wiper deployed in Ukraine,”
It added “ESET telemetry shows that it was seen on a few dozen systems in a limited number of organisations,”
Surprisingly, ‘CaddyWiper’ doesn’t wipe data from domain controllers.
The researchers informed “This is probably a way for the attackers to keep their access inside the organisation while still disturbing operations,”
Two more strains of wiper malware targeting systems in Ukraine were discovered by ESET researchers previously.
The Ukrainian government’s cyber-security authority has stated that its cyber defences are successfully repelling most hacking attempts, while also stating that the cyber-war with Russia is unprecedented.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has established a “IT army of Ukraine,” which has been conducting cyber attacks on Russian targets.
The cyber war between Russia and Ukraine has escalated, with Russia employing a new damaging malware to permanently wipe data from Ukrainian networks organisations.
As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, hacker groups around the world have increased their activity.