Wiper Malware: A Silent Weapon of Cyber Warfare

Cyberattacks have long been a critical battleground in modern conflicts, and wiper malware has proved to be one of the most destructive cyber weapons. Unlike ransomware, which seeks financial gain, wiper malware is designed to cause irreversible damage by deleting files, corrupting systems, and crippling entire networks.

With the recent buzz surrounding Netflix’s Zero Day, a series exploring the chaos caused by a zero-day cyberattack, I felt it was the perfect time to dive into known cyberattacks that have disrupted real-world systems and operations. While Zero Day focuses on a fictional zero-day vulnerability and its global consequences, wiper malware represents another form of cyber destruction, and many have experienced what these types of attacks can do.

Wiper malware has been in use for over a decade, but its role in cyber warfare, geopolitical conflicts, and sabotage operations has expanded significantly in recent years. A recent example occurred during Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, where cyberattacks, including multiple wiper malware strains, were used to target critical infrastructure alongside military operations.

The Viasat Cyberattack

On February 24, 2022—the same day Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine—a cyberattack targeted Viasat, a satellite communications provider. The attack disabled KA-SAT modems, disrupting internet services for thousands of users in Ukraine and some parts of Europe. For example, the attack disrupted remote monitoring and control of approximately 5,800 wind turbines in Germany, preventing operators from accessing them

Following the incident, researchers at SentinelLabs identified a new wiper malware they named AcidRain. Unlike ransomware, which demands a ransom to unlock data, AcidRain was designed to erase data from modems and routers, potentially rendering them inoperable without recovery options.

Attacks like this highlight a hard reality: wiper malware is a modern cyber warfare weapon that sabotages critical infrastructure.

With geopolitical tensions rising, it is crucial to understand how wiper malware works, its devastating impact, and how organizations can defend against it.

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What is Wiper Malware?

Wiper malware is a destructive form of malicious software that permanently deletes, overwrites, or corrupts data, often leaving devices completely unusable. Recovery is extremely difficult without specialized forensic methods or offline backups.

Key Characteristics of Wiper Malware:

• Data Destruction: Systematically deletes, overwrites, or corrupts files at the disk level, often targeting boot records to make systems unbootable. This makes recovery extremely difficult without backups or specialized forensic methods

• No Ransom Demand: Unlike ransomware, wiper malware provides no decryption keys or ransom demands. It is designed for sabotage, not financial gain.

• Wide-scale Impact: These attacks can cripple networks by wiping servers, corrupting databases, and IoT devices, leading to widespread service disruptions.

Who is targeted?

Governments, critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and major enterprises have all been victims of wiper attacks.

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How Does Wiper Malware Work?

Wiper malware employs various techniques to destroy data and make systems inoperable:

1. Initial Access – Attackers gain entry via phishing, supply chain attacks, or exploiting unpatched software.

2. Privilege Escalation – Once inside, they gain admin rights to increase their control.

3. File & System Wiping – Some wipers target the Master Boot Record (MBR), preventing the system from booting or delete/corrupt key system files.

4. Network Propagation – In larger networks, wiper malware spreads to other connected devices, causing broader damage.

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Notable Wiper Malware Attacks

1. NotPetya (2017)

• Target: Ukrainian businesses, but quickly spread worldwide (Maersk, FedEx, Merck).

• Impact: Originally thought to be ransomware, NotPetya was later identified as a wiper in disguise. It encrypted data with no way to decrypt it (recover it), causing an estimated $10 billion in damages.

• Key Lesson: Wiper malware may resemble ransomware, but its intent is purely destructive, not financial.

2. Shamoon (2012, 2016, 2020)

• Target: Energy sector, notably Saudi Aramco and RasGas.

• Impact: Shamoon erased data on 35,000 company computers at Saudi Aramco, replacing files with an image of a burning American flag. Later versions targeted other companies.

• Key Lesson: Wiper malware can serve as a cyber weapon for political messaging and industrial sabotage.

3. AcidRain (2022)

• Target: Viasat satellite modems, affecting Ukraine and parts of Europe.

• Impact: Unlike traditional wipers, AcidRain was designed to erase firmware on satellite modems; thousands were disabled, and internet services were knocked offline.

• Key Lesson: Wiper malware isn’t limited to computers; it can target network infrastructure and IoT devices, expanding the attack surface.

4. Olympic Destroyer (2018)

• Target: Winter Olympics IT infrastructure (Pyeongchang, South Korea).

• Impact: The attack crippled ticketing systems, broadcasting, and event services, causing widespread operational chaos. Olympic Destroyer contained data-wiping functionality but also included anti-forensic measures to mislead investigators.

• Key Lesson: Wiper malware can be used to sabotage global events and disrupt international operations.

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  Extra: Hear the Darknet Diaries episode #77 about the Olympic Destroyer!

Can Organizations Recover from Wiper Attacks?

While wiper malware is destructive by design, some companies have successfully recovered by implementing robust cybersecurity and disaster recovery plans. Here are two examples:

• Maersk & NotPetya (2017) – The global shipping giant had all but one of its domain controllers wiped. Thanks to an unaffected office in Ghana, Maersk was able to restore operations within 10 days after rebuilding its IT infrastructure from these isolated backups.

• Sony Pictures (2014 Attack) – After the North Korea-linked Destover wiper malware attack, Sony relied on off-site backups and network isolation to recover operations, though data loss was significant and also led to public leaks of sensitive information.

These cases highlight the importance of offline backups, rapid response, and resilient IT infrastructure in surviving cyberattacks.

Who is Behind Wiper Attacks?

Determining who is responsible (attribution) for cyberattacks is complex because attackers use:

• False flags: Making the attack appear to come from another country.

• VPNs & Proxy Servers: Hiding their true locations.

• Compromised Systems: Launching attacks from hacked machines. false flags, VPNs, and compromised systems to hide their identities.

Security researchers rely on:

• Malware code similarities: Comparing wiper malware with known nation-state tools.

• Infrastructure analysis: Tracking IP addresses, command-and-control servers, and domain registrations.

• Victim Profiling: Identifying which industries, organizations, or countries are being targeted.

• Threat Actor Profiling: Analyzing who benefits from the attack and linking it to potential perpetrators.

Attribution is rarely 100% certain, but cybersecurity experts rely on technical forensics and geopolitical context to assign responsibility.

Why is Wiper Malware a Growing Threat?

While wiper malware primarily targets organizations, governments, and critical infrastructure, individuals and businesses can still take steps to protect their data and systems from destructive cyber threats.

1. Increasing Geopolitical Tensions: Nation-state actors are using wiper malware as a tool for cyber warfare, targeting critical infrastructure.

2. Escalating Cyber Sabotage: Wiper malware is being deployed not just in war zones, but also in financial, energy, and government sectors.

3. Harder to Defend Against: Unlike ransomware, wiper malware often leaves no straightforward recovery options, making mitigation strategies critical.

How to Defend Against Wiper Malware

For Organizations & Enterprises

• Network Segmentation: Prevents malware from spreading across critical systems by isolating sensitive networks.

• Advanced Threat Detection: AI-powered security tools can detect wiper malware before activation.

• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) – EDR solutions provide continuous monitoring and response capabilities at the endpoint level (device), allowing organizations to detect and contain wiper malware before it spreads throughout the network.

• Incident Response Plans: A prepared and tested response strategy can reduce downtime.

• Patch & Update Software: Regular updates help eliminate security vulnerabilities.

• Zero-Trust Security Model: Requires continuous verification for network access.

For Individuals & Small Businesses

• Regular Backups: Store backups offline and in the cloud to ensure data recovery.

• Software Updates: Patch vulnerabilities to prevent exploits.

• Email & Link Caution: Be cautious with emails and links, as phishing is a common method for delivering wiper malware.

• Security Tools: Use firewalls, antivirus software, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added protection.

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TL;DR: Wiper Malware vs. Zero-Day Exploits

While Netflix’s Zero Day explores cyberattacks that may seem similar, most wiper malware does not rely on zero-day exploits. Some, like NotPetya, have used zero-days to spread, but not all wipers require them to cause destruction. A zero-day is an unknown software vulnerability, while a wiper is designed for destruction. Defending against both requires proactive patching, backups, and threat detection

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Conclusion

Wiper malware is a dangerous and evolving threat, used in cyber warfare and politically motivated attacks. Whether targeting critical infrastructure, financial institutions, or global events, its effects can be catastrophic.

Understanding how wiper malware operates, its real-world consequences, and how to defend against it is essential. Preparation is the best defense.

✅ Want to learn more?

• Check my beginner guide to MITRE ATT&CK to understand cyberattack techniques.

• Explore CISA’s cybersecurity best practices.

• Evaluate your organization’s cyber resilience with NIST cybersecurity resources.

💬 How prepared do you think most organizations are against wiper malware? Share your thoughts!