Raspberry Robin Emerges in Russian State-Backed Cybercrime Operations

Raspberry Robin Emerges in Russian State-Backed Cybercrime Operations

Raspberry Robin, a cyber threat actor initially known for delivering malware through infected USB drives, has rapidly evolved into a major player in Russian state-sponsored cybercrime, writes Becky Bracken in Dark Reading.

With its increased reach into energy, transportation, and education sectors, Raspberry Robin has become a critical enabler of Russian cyber warfare and criminal enterprises.

A recent report by Silent Push highlights Raspberry Robin’s role as an Initial Access Broker (IAB), selling unauthorized access to organizations targeted by Russian cybercriminals and intelligence agencies.

Russian military Unit 29155 is among Raspberry Robin’s clients and is responsible for various cyber espionage and sabotage campaigns. 29155’s activities now encompass sophisticated hacking techniques, including leveraging compromised network-attached storage devices, routers, and IoT hardware to infiltrate corporate and government networks.

Raspberry Robin’s origins date back to 2019 when it primarily targeted victims using USB-based “bad USB” attacks. Over time, the group expanded its tactics, adopting advanced malware obfuscation techniques and leveraging vulnerabilities in network infrastructure.

By 2022, it had pivoted from small-scale cyber intrusions to breaching high-value targets across various industries. In 2024, a research report noted its increasing focus on government agencies worldwide, as well as its ability to utilize N-day vulnerabilities to gain entry into secure environments.

The Silent Push report underscores Raspberry Robin’s ability to seamlessly integrate its attacks into broader cyber campaigns, making attribution challenging for cybersecurity professionals.

Due diligence in cybersecurity compliance, incident response planning, and coordination with law enforcement are all essential to mitigate the risks posed by state actors like Raspberry Robin.

Lawyers advising corporate clients on data security should emphasize the importance of tracking emerging threats and implementing robust access controls to prevent unauthorized breaches facilitated by threat actors like Raspberry Robin.