ZeroFox Intelligence Flash Report – Whistleblower Documents Disclose Russian Government Cyberwarfare Tactics

Product Serial: F-2023-04-03a

TLP:CLEAR

In this flash report, ZeroFox Intelligence provides updates on the Vulkan Files, which stem from a Russian government subcontractor leak of thousands of documents to several media organizations. The leaked files have drawn comparisons to the immensity and importance of the documents leaked by Edward Snowden in the United States in 2013, and demonstrate the Russian government’s focus on its cyberwarfare capabilities and its multilayered approach to advancing these capabilities.

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Scope Note

ZeroFox Intelligence is derived from a variety of sources, including—but not limited to—curated open-source accesses, vetted social media, proprietary data sources, and direct access to threat actors and groups through covert communication channels. Information relied upon to complete any report cannot always be independently verified. As such, ZeroFox applies rigorous analytic standards and tradecraft in accordance with best practices and includes caveat language and source citations to clearly identify the veracity of our Intelligence reporting and substantiate our assessments and recommendations. All sources used in this particular Intelligence product were identified prior to 8:00 AM (EST) on April 3, 2023; per cyber hygiene best practices, caution is advised when clicking on any third-party links.

Key Findings

A Russian government subcontractor employee has leaked thousands of documents detailing Russia’s cyberwarfare capabilities.
The leaked files, now called the Vulkan Files, have drawn comparisons to the immensity and importance of the documents leaked by Edward Snowden in the United States in 2013.
These files demonstrate the Russian government’s focus on its cyberwarfare capabilities and its multilayered approach to advancing these capabilities.
The Vulkan Files likely diminish the ability of the Russian government to utilize plausible deniability to distance itself from cyber actions that have taken place in parallel with its military actions.