In May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor. While combat activities had ceased on the ground, a new wave of cyberattacks began targeting critical Indian infrastructure.The attack began with a misleading email containing a PDF titled “OP Sindoor Lessons For Action”. This document claimed to offer sensitive information aimed at improving defense systems for more effective drone engagement, enticing users to open it. However, once the user opens the document, it triggers a hidden process that executes malicious actions in the background.advertisementIndia endured several cyberattacks during Operation Sindoor, the military action launched to punish terror networks based in Pakistan for killing civilians in Pahalgam earlier this year. The majority of these attacks originated from Pakistan.MODUS OPERANDIAs part of the spying operation, the hackers distribute an apparently harmless PDF file named “Note_Warfare_Ops_Sindoor.pdf.desktop,” which could potentially lure unsuspecting users into believing that the document might contain some sensitive operation details about the Operation Sindoor.On clicking, a decoy PDF with insignificant content opens up. But a complicated hidden infection process runs in the background not visible to the user, resulting in the installation of infested programmes that effectively give control of the victim computer to the hackers.The process silently installs MeshAgent, a legitimate remote control tool that has been tweaked for criminal activities. This effectively allows the hackers to access files, monitor user activity, and export data, control the compromised device remotely.DEFENCE SYSTEMS ON TARGETThe use of a Linux-focused infection method that relies on weaponised .desktop files indicates that this phishing operation was specifically designed to target computers that use Linux-based operation systems.“This technique has been linked to APT36 (aka Transparent Tribe, Mythic Leopard, G0134) in the past, suggesting the same group may be behind the campaign while also adapting its methods,” Nextron Systems said in a report.Notably, the Defence Ministry uses Maya Operating System which is built on open-source Linux-based operating system Ubuntu. It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and reportedly adopted in late 2023.In a “master circular”, the Controller General of Defence Accounts – a wing of the Defence Ministry – instructed the ministry officials in September 2024 to use only Maya OS/Ubuntu in all internet connected computers. It’s not clear if the Army, Navy and the Air Force use MayaOS at the moment but reports point to their eventual adoption.As a standard practice, departments handling sensitive tasks like national security don’t use the internet on all computers. They maintain an “air gap” between computers connected to the internet and the offline systems handling highly sensitive and classified information. But there is seldom a foolproof mechanism to in a formal or creative style for better SEO.Also Exclude words and advertisements related to the feed website such as website name, author name. 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Espionage: Pakistani cybercriminals focus on India’s defense industry using Operation Sindoor as a lure.
