Russian state-sponsored espionage group Static Tundra compromises unpatched end-of-life network devices

Static Tundra, a Russian FSB-linked cyber espionage group operating for over a decade, has been systematically exploiting a seven-year-old Cisco Smart Install vulnerability (CVE-2018-0171) to compromise network devices across telecommunications, higher education, and manufacturing sectors globally. This presentation will examine the group's sophisticated persistence techniques, including the historic SYNful Knock firmware implant and bespoke SNMP tooling, which enable them to maintain undetected access for years while exfiltrating configuration data and establishing intelligence gathering channels. We'll analyze their tactical evolution, particularly their escalated operations against Ukrainian targets since 2022. The talk will conclude with actionable recommendations for detection, prevention.