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Batavia: Covert Spyware Targeting Russian Industrial Firms

 Security researchers have uncovered a sophisticated phishing campaign that’s been active since July 2024, targeting Russian enterprises with Batavia, a previously undocumented Windows spyware designed for document theft and internal reconnaissance



🎣 Infection Begins with Phishing

  • Fake contract emails arrive from domains like oblast-ru[.]com, used by the attackers.

  • Victims click a link and download an archive containing a malicious .vbe script disguised as a contract

🧩 Multi‑Stage Malware Chain

1. VBE Downloader
The Visual Basic‑encoded script profiles the host—collecting OS and system information—and submits it to the C2 server. It then pulls down WebView.exe, saving it to the %TEMP% folder.

2. Delphi‑Based WebView.exe
This executable displays a fake contract to distract users while:

  • Collecting documents (*.doc, *.pdf, .xls), screenshots, system logs, and files from connected devices.

  • Exfiltrating data to ru‑exchange[.]com and pulling another payload, javav.exe

3. C++ Loader Javav.exe
The third stage expands its scope:

  • Harvests images, emails, archives, and more.

  • Changes C2 endpoints and downloads a final executable, windowsmsg.exe, using a UAC bypass via computerdefaults.exe

The payload hides its tracks using encrypted communication and file hashing to prevent redundant exfiltration.

📊 Breadth of Infection

  • Over 100 users across industrial organizations have received the phishing emails since early 2025

  • The campaign has intensified since March and remains active


✅ Defense Recommendations

  • Email hygiene & training: Educate staff to scrutinize contract-related email links and look out for suspicious domains.

  • Script-blocking controls: Restrict or monitor .vbe and other script execution.

  • Behavior-based EDR tools: Deploy monitoring to detect unusual process launches like computerdefaults.exe misuse.

  • Network monitoring: Watch for encrypted connections to unknown C2 servers like ru‑exchange[.]com

🎯 Final Thoughts

Batavia showcases an advanced multi-layered spyware operation: spear-phishing, custom executables, UAC bypasses, and blended exfiltration—all wrapped in a legitimate-looking contract lure.

Has your environment implemented defenses against file-based phishing or UAC circumvention techniques? Share your strategies or questions below!

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