According to sources within the government, a potential data leak following a phishing attack targeting members of the federal government has reportedly been stopped. A spokesperson confirmed that, according to the Chancellor’s Office, Russia is suspected of orchestrating the attack. Those federal ministers affected are stated to be “closely monitored and supported by security authorities”.
The phishing wave, which has been ongoing for months, has reportedly affected at least Federal Ministers Karin Prien (CDU) and Verena Hubertz (SPD), alongside various members of the Bundestag and the Bundestag President, Julia Klöckner (CDU).
Current findings from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) indicate that a “likely state-sponsored cyber actor” is conducting these phishing attacks primarily through messaging services, specifically Signal. The targets of these efforts are focused on high-profile individuals in the areas of politics, military, and diplomacy, as well as investigative journalists in Germany.