The company’s bulletproof hosting infrastructure supported notorious ransomware groups, including BianLian operators and hosted command-and-control (C2) panels for the Meduza and Lumma infostealers, which specifically targeted the U.S. defense industrial base and technology companies. Additionally, Aeza Group hosted BlackSprut, a Russian darknet marketplace facilitating illicit drug trafficking, including fentanyl precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment. The action, announced July 1, 2025, targets the critical infrastructure supporting ransomware operations, infostealers, and darknet drug marketplaces that threaten U.S. national security and economic stability. U.S. sanctions Russian Aeza Group for providing bulletproof hosting to ransomware operators and darknet drug markets. Hosted major cyber threats including BianLian ransomware, Meduza/Lumma infostealers, and BlackSprut drug marketplace. Both Penzev and Bozoyan were previously arrested by Russian law enforcement for their involvement in hosting the BlackSprut marketplace on Aeza Group infrastructure. Aeza International served as a front company to lease IP addresses to cybercriminals, including Meduza infostealer operators, demonstrating the international scope of the operation.
This Cyber News was published on cybersecuritynews.com. Publication date: Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:10:16 +0000