Russia secretly monitored Ukraine arms shipments through building intercom cameras
Photo: Russian hackers are also attacking civilian infrastructure (Getty Images)
Russia monitored NATO military bases through civilian internet-connected cameras, reports The Telegraph, quoting Dutch intelligence.
What Dutch intelligence found
Hackers linked to the Kremlin gained access to cameras to track the transfer of military equipment to Ukraine, according to the Dutch AIVD domestic security and MIVD military intelligence agencies.
The joint investigation found that the Russian operation targeted cameras facing military transport routes to determine exactly what weapons were being sent to Kyiv.
"Organisations with IP [internet protocol] cameras on these routes have now been warned so that they could take action," the agencies said, describing the discovery as "a large-scale Russian operation."
According to them, the operation affected European NATO member states, including the Netherlands, as well as Ukraine.
Why these cameras
IP cameras - cameras connected to the internet - have become widespread in recent years due to inexpensive Chinese imports and high-speed broadband internet.
Although the intelligence services did not specify the type of compromised devices, they most often refer to video doorbell systems that people use to monitor their property through smartphones.
The Dutch investigation found that many cameras were poorly protected, often using default passwords, outdated software, and default configurations.
"When the IP camera is identified, the malicious party can attempt to access the IP camera via the internet. This is often relatively easy, because many IP cameras connected to the internet are insufficiently secure," the intelligence explained.
Compromised cameras in modern warfare
Hacking cameras has become common practice in modern warfare - nearly any camera on a city street, outside a home, or at a business can be used to collect intelligence.
The practice is considered cheaper and easier than using drones or satellites for intelligence gathering. It also provides the operational advantage of surprise, as most camera owners are unaware that their devices have been compromised.
Ground-based cameras provide a unique view of the terrain that is unavailable to conventional aerial reconnaissance assets.
Russian hackers also breached the email accounts of British government officials, with access to the correspondence being sold on darknet forums.
Google Threat Intelligence Group recently identified a new .NET backdoor, STOCKSTAY, which hackers from the Turla group are deploying against the Ukrainian military, government institutions, and European diplomatic missions.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), together with the FBI, exposed systematic attempts by Russian intelligence services to hack the messaging apps of officials in Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.
