At its recent Cyber Security Weekend for the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region, Kaspersky announced the discovery of , a new, highly sophisticated piece of malware that’s been targeting fintech companies, online trading platforms, and betting operators around the world — with incidents reported in the UAE, Egypt, Turkiye, and South Africa.
GriffithRAT is being spread through popular communication platforms like , often disguised as files offering financial trend reports or investment advice. These deceptive files trick both individuals and organizations into downloading the malware. Once installed, GriffithRAT enables attackers to:
The information gathered can be misused in various ways — from corporate espionage and competitive intelligence gathering to personal surveillance and data resale on the dark web.
Kaspersky researchers have been tracking GriffithRAT for over a year. Evidence suggests the malware is part of operations conducted by — threat actors who are hired by third parties to launch targeted attacks, often motivated by financial or strategic interests.
Technical similarities between GriffithRAT and , another well-known remote access Trojan (RAT) associated with mercenary-led campaigns, further support this conclusion.
“This discovery underlines the increasing sophistication and commercialization of cyber threats,” said , Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky. “GriffithRAT is not just another random malware — it’s a well-maintained tool, part of a broader trend where cyber mercenaries are contracted to extract sensitive data for profit or strategic advantage.”
He added that the stolen data could provide deep insights into organizational operations, offer unethical competitive edges, or be traded on the dark web — emphasizing the urgent need for robust cybersecurity strategies.
To guard against threats like GriffithRAT, Kaspersky recommends the following:
In today’s cyber landscape, where threats are increasingly targeted and professionally executed, staying informed and proactive is key to effective defense.
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