Exposed: ‘Dante’ Spyware Leveraged Chrome Zero-Day for Covert Surveillance
A sophisticated spyware campaign has been uncovered, revealing how a powerful surveillance tool known as “Dante” exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in Google Chrome to spy on targeted individuals. This operation highlights the growing market for commercial spyware and the constant threat posed by zero-day exploits.
Developed by the Italian surveillance technology firm RCS Lab, Dante is a potent tool designed for covert data collection. Investigations reveal that the spyware was used to target individuals in Italy and Kazakhstan, demonstrating its use in international intelligence operations. This incident underscores the critical importance of digital security and proactive defense measures for all internet users.
How the Attack Worked: A Multi-Stage Exploit Chain
The attack was particularly dangerous because it relied on a zero-day vulnerability—a flaw in software that is unknown to the vendor and, therefore, has no patch available. Attackers leveraged this window of opportunity to install spyware without detection.
The infection process was meticulously crafted:
- The Lure: Targets received a unique, disguised link. In some cases, this link was generated after the target’s ISP was compromised to disable their mobile data connection, forcing them to use a malicious Wi-Fi network that redirected them to the exploit page.
- The Zero-Day: Once the link was clicked, the victim was directed to a malicious webpage. This page secretly executed code that exploited the Chrome zero-day vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2022-2294. This initial exploit allowed the attackers to gain a foothold within the web browser.
- Privilege Escalation: The initial browser exploit was just the first step. The attackers then used additional exploits to escape the browser’s security sandbox and gain deeper control over the victim’s operating system (both Android and iOS).
- Spyware Deployment: With full access achieved, the final payload—the Dante spyware—was installed.
Once active, Dante grants its operators extensive control over an infected device. It is designed to be a comprehensive surveillance tool, capable of exfiltrating private data, recording audio and video, monitoring keystrokes, and tracking the user’s location.
Who is RCS Lab?
RCS Lab is an Italian company that has been operating for decades, marketing its products as “lawful intercept” tools for law enforcement and government agencies. Similar to other commercial surveillance vendors, their technology is intended for tracking criminals and terrorists. However, evidence consistently shows that these powerful tools are often used to target journalists, activists, and political opponents.
The discovery of the Dante spyware campaign is significant because it directly links a commercial surveillance vendor to the use of a potent zero-day exploit against unsuspecting civilians. This confirms that the trade in powerful digital weapons is not limited to a few well-known companies.
How to Protect Yourself from Sophisticated Spyware
While zero-day attacks are difficult to defend against by their very nature, you can take several crucial steps to enhance your digital security and reduce your risk of compromise.
- Update Your Software Immediately: The most critical defense is to keep your applications and operating systems up to date. Google has already patched the vulnerability used in this attack. Ensure your Chrome browser and mobile OS are running the latest versions. Enable automatic updates whenever possible.
- Be Skeptical of All Links: Do not click on unsolicited or suspicious links, even if they appear to come from a known contact. Attackers often impersonate trusted sources to lure victims.
- Reboot Your Device Regularly: Many forms of advanced malware and spyware are not “persistent,” meaning they are cleared from the device’s memory upon a restart. Rebooting your phone daily can help disrupt potential infections.
- Use Enhanced Security Features: In Google Chrome, enable the “Enhanced Safe Browsing” feature. This provides more proactive protection against phishing and malicious websites.
- Limit App Permissions: Regularly review the permissions granted to the apps on your devices. Revoke access to the microphone, camera, or location for any app that does not absolutely need it.
- Use a Trusted VPN: A reputable VPN can help encrypt your internet traffic, making it more difficult for attackers, including compromised ISPs, to intercept or redirect your connection to malicious sites.
The emergence of Dante is a stark reminder that the digital landscape is an active battleground. By staying informed and practicing strong security hygiene, you can build a formidable defense against even the most sophisticated threats.
Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/10/28/dante-spyware-chrome-zero-day/
