Risk Actors Rework GIFTEDCROOK Stealer into an Intelligence-Gathering Instrument

The Arctic Wolf Labs group has uncovered a dramatic transformation within the capabilities of the GIFTEDCROOK infostealer, wielded by the menace group UAC-0226.

Initially recognized as a rudimentary browser knowledge stealer in early 2025, this malware has undergone fast evolution by variations 1.2 and 1.3, morphing into a classy intelligence-gathering software by June 2025.

This development displays a deliberate technique to focus on delicate knowledge from Ukrainian governmental and navy entities, aligning with vital geopolitical occasions such because the Ukraine peace negotiations in Istanbul.

Evolution of a Cyber-Espionage Weapon

The malware’s enhanced capacity to exfiltrate a big selection of proprietary paperwork and browser secrets and techniques underscores a shift towards complete knowledge assortment, possible geared toward supporting covert intelligence targets in periods of diplomatic and navy significance.

Delving into the technical intricacies, GIFTEDCROOK’s preliminary model (v1) targeted solely on extracting browser credentials, with knowledge exfiltration facilitated by brazenly seen Telegram bot channels.

By model 1.2, launched across the June 2, 2025, Istanbul Settlement discussions, the malware expanded to focus on particular file varieties by extension, using string encryption by way of a customized XOR algorithm and compressing stolen knowledge into encrypted zip archives earlier than transmission.

Model 1.3 additional refined this strategy, integrating capabilities to steal each browser secrets and techniques and information modified throughout the final 45 days, up from 15 days in v1.2, whereas growing the file dimension restrict for exfiltration to 7 MB.

Strategic Deployment

The assault vector primarily depends on spear-phishing emails with military-themed PDF lures, usually spoofing areas in Western Ukraine like Uzhhorod, and concealing true targets behind decoy recipients corresponding to authorities in Bakhmut.

These phishing campaigns exploit social engineering techniques, leveraging themes of navy mobilization and administrative fines to instill urgency, tricking victims into enabling macros in malicious OLE paperwork that finally deploy the malware payload.

A notable overlap in e mail infrastructure with different campaigns, together with these deploying NetSupport RAT, suggests a coordinated, multi-pronged effort by varied menace teams focusing on Ukraine, specializing in persistence and stealthy knowledge theft.

The strategic timing of those assaults, coinciding with Ukraine’s prolonged martial regulation and intensified recruitment efforts, amplifies their affect.

GIFTEDCROOK’s capacity to reap OpenVPN configurations and administrative paperwork supplies menace actors with vital community entry credentials and organizational intelligence, paving the way in which for future operations.

Arctic Wolf Labs recommends sturdy defenses, together with Safe E-mail Gateways, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) options, and complete worker coaching on phishing consciousness to mitigate such threats.

As GIFTEDCROOK continues to adapt, its alignment with geopolitical targets indicators an ongoing and evolving cyber threat to focused areas.

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

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