Cyber Retaliation Unleashed After Telegram Founder’s Arrest: French Organizations Under Siege
#France - Threat Actors Retaliate After Durov’s Arrest
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The arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, in France has triggered a wave of cyberattacks against French organizations. Within hours of the arrest, several notorious threat groups, including UserSec, CyberVolk, and the Cyber Army of Russia, announced their intentions to retaliate. These groups have already started targeting government websites and critical infrastructure, showing their allegiance to Durov and their opposition to his detention.
The Arrest of Pavel Durov
Pavel Durov, known for creating the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, has long been a controversial figure. Telegram’s strong encryption and privacy-focused ethos have made it a preferred communication tool for dissidents, activists, and, unfortunately, cybercriminals. Durov's arrest by French authorities, reportedly just minutes before his private jet was set to depart, has sparked outrage among various hacker collectives.
According to the alleged messages the following organizations were targeted:
- European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
- Council of Europe
- French Customs
- Corsica Ferries – Operator of Ferry Lines
- Court of Paris
- Syane – Fiber optics for everyone in Upper Savoie.
- Infomaniak Network SA
UserSec’s Call to Arms
UserSec, a notorious cyber threat actor group, was one of the first to respond to the news of Durov’s arrest. The group issued a call to action, urging others to join in their efforts to retaliate against the French government. Leveraging Durov’s own platform, UserSec declared their intention to carry out widespread Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks against French institutions.
Among the targets confirmed by UserSec were:
- National Court of France (Cour de cassation)
- Paris Tribunal (Tribunal de Paris)
UserSec also hinted at a broader campaign against French infrastructure, noting that their list of targets would continue to grow as they gain more support and resources. The group's use of Telegram as a communication tool underscores their loyalty to Durov and their commitment to exacting revenge for his arrest.
CyberVolk Joins the Fray
Another significant player in the retaliation campaign is CyberVolk, a group that quickly claimed responsibility for infiltrating French government systems. They specifically targeted the Réserve Civique website, which is a key component of France's civic engagement and volunteer services. CyberVolk’s announcement included the release of sensitive information obtained from their breach, showcasing their ability to access and manipulate French government databases.
CyberVolk’s message was clear: "In Shadows We Trust, In Silence We Strike." This ominous statement signals that the group plans to continue its operations in secret, potentially targeting other high-profile French entities in the near future.
The Cyber Army of Russia’s Role
In a coordinated effort, the Cyber Army of Russia, which has been linked to state-sponsored cyber activities, also announced its involvement in the retaliation. This group is believed to be behind the attacks on several key French websites, including:
- European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
- Syane (A major fiber-optic network provider in Haute-Savoie)
The Cyber Army of Russia has a history of launching attacks in response to geopolitical events, and Durov’s arrest appears to have galvanized their efforts. The group's campaign, branded as #FreeDurov, has gained traction across various dark web forums, with many hackers pledging their support.
What’s Next for France?
The ongoing cyberattacks are likely to escalate as more groups join the campaign against France. The French government must brace for further disruptions, particularly to its digital infrastructure. The attacks not only threaten the availability of services but also raise concerns about the potential for sensitive information to be leaked or manipulated.
For now, the world watches as France grapples with this cyber onslaught. The arrest of Durov has become a flashpoint, igniting a coordinated and sustained attack on French interests. It serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of global cybersecurity and the ripple effects that a single event can have across the digital landscape.
Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski Responds to France's Actions Against Telegram's Pavel Durov
Source data:
The article on Daily Dark Web highlights that after Pavel Durov's arrest, several threat actors launched cyberattacks on French organizations. The targeted entities include the European Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe, French Customs, and Corsica Ferries. Additionally, CyberVolk claimed to have infiltrated the La Réserve Civique, selling logs obtained from the breach. These attacks are framed as a direct retaliation against France for detaining the Telegram founder.
For more details, you can read the full article here.
