Tag: central asia
11 articles
BlackX Bootkit Exploits Baton Drop Flaw to Evade Secure Boot
Meet BlackX, a sneaky new UEFI bootkit that's exploiting the Baton Drop flaw to outsmart Secure Boot and install a malicious kernel driver that cripples endpoint defenses. This stealthy threat has already been used in a targeted espionage campaign aimed at diplomatic agencies in Central Asia.
APT41 Revives BlackLotus Bootkit for Central Asia Espionage
Meet BlackX, a sneaky UEFI bootkit that's been revived to target diplomatic agencies in Central Asia, bearing a striking resemblance to its notorious predecessor, BlackLotus. This cunning malware has been used in a complex espionage campaign, hitting targets in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
Silent Lynx Exploits WinRAR Flaw in CIS Government Cyberattacks
Meet Silent Lynx, a stealthy cyber threat actor wreaking havoc in Central Asia and beyond, exploiting a WinRAR flaw to launch targeted attacks on government agencies and embassies across nine countries in the CIS region. Their campaign, tracked from January 2025 to May 2026, has left a trail of breaches in its wake.
India Expands Defense Exports to Central Asia with Akash Missile Sales
India is making waves in the global defense market with its game-changing Akash missile exports, already sold to Armenia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, with many more orders expected to follow. The country's defense secretary confirms that production has stabilized, paving the way for a surge in international demand.
Pakistan's Air Power Export Strategy Gains Traction
The JF-17 Thunder is gaining momentum as a top air power export, with Azerbaijan reportedly landing a $4 billion deal for 40 jets, plus extensive infrastructure and training support. Turkey's Aselsan has also successfully integrated its advanced radios into the JF-17, paving the way for more third-party subsystem collaborations.
Central Asia Turns to Local Drone Development to Curb Foreign Security Dependency
Central Asian countries are ditching foreign security solutions and turning to local drone development to break free from dependency on external suppliers. Kyrgyzstan's recent procurement spree on Turkish drones, however, only serves to highlight the risks of new foreign entanglements.
Uzbekistan Unveils Chinese J-10CE Fighters
Uzbekistan has officially welcomed its new fleet of Chinese J-10CE fighters, with at least six aircraft making a grand entrance in state TV footage on August 28, 2026. The public debut was marked with a ceremonial water-cannon salute, showcasing the country's growing military capabilities.
Uzbekistan Nears Deal for China's J-10CE Fighter Jets
Uzbekistan is on the verge of a major deal with China to acquire the advanced J-10CE fighter jets, with reports suggesting a massive order of 24 aircraft. If confirmed, this would make Uzbekistan only the second country to operate the J-10CE outside of China.
China-linked SilkParasite campaign targets Central Asia with custom RATs
Meet SilkParasite, a sneaky espionage operation linked to China that's been targeting government bodies in Central Asia with a custom arsenal of Remote Access Tools. This sophisticated campaign boasts seven unique RAT families, five of which have never been seen before, and hints at AI-assisted development.
Chinese Hackers Target Central Asian Governments with OctLurk and SilkLurk Malware
Chinese hackers have launched a stealthy cyberattack on government organizations across six Central Asian countries, infiltrating ministries, hospitals, and schools with sophisticated malware. The targeted countries include Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Syrian Arab Republic.
Chinese Cyber-Attacks Expose Central Asian Governments to Espionage.
Since January 2025, a sneaky cyber-attack campaign has been targeting government organizations across Central Asia, with victims in six countries, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The attacks, involving customized malware, have hit a wide range of sectors, from healthcare and research to law enforcement and education.