Romania’s Electoral System Faces Over 85,000 Cyberattacks and Influence Campaigns
Romania’s electoral infrastructure faced over 85,000 cyberattacks in the lead-up to the presidential elections, with attack vectors originating from 33 countries. Access credentials for election-related sites were leaked online, indicating serious security vulnerabilities. Additionally, an influence campaign using TikTok to promote candidate Calin Georgescu raised concerns about foreign interference.
Recent findings from Romania’s Intelligence Service indicate that the nation’s electoral framework has been subjected to over 85,000 cyberattacks. These cyber threats escalated particularly during the lead-up to the first round of presidential elections, with significant breaches occurring on November 19, when a server affiliated with the Permanent Electoral Authority was compromised. The breaches, which involved gathering access credentials for vital election sites, culminated in information being disseminated on a Russian hacker forum less than a week before the elections.
These attacks stemmed from more than 33 countries and continued through Election Day, aiming to infiltrate Romania’s election system, distort electoral data, and prevent public access. Among the techniques utilized by the attackers were SQL injection and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Notably, the Romanian intelligence agency expressed concern that existing vulnerabilities could still be exploited, potentially undermining the integrity of future elections.
In addition to cyber intrusions, the Romanian Intelligence Service identified an influence campaign that leveraged social media to sway public opinion toward presidential candidate Calin Georgescu. Over 100 influencers on TikTok, with a combined following exceeding 8 million, were reportedly compensated to promote content favoring Georgescu. The campaign gained significant traction, reaching the top of trending content lists shortly before election day. The Ministry of Internal Affairs noted similarities between advocacy for Georgescu’s candidacy and the promotion of pro-Russian narratives during Moldova’s elections, suggesting external influence may have been at play.
While the Romanian intelligence entities did not directly attribute the attacks and influence efforts to a specific state actor, concerns regarding foreign interference, particularly from Russian entities, persist. The Romanian Foreign Intelligence Service articulated a belief that Russia might view Romania as a threat due to its NATO alliances and has historically engaged in manipulation of electoral processes in neighboring countries, aiming to project its interests in the region.
The recent electoral climate in Romania has been fraught with challenges, particularly concerning cyber threats aimed at undermining the integrity of democratic processes. With global cyberattacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, electoral systems worldwide are under threat from various malicious entities. In Romania, a detailed report from their Intelligence Service has highlighted the extent of these threats, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions, especially in the context of Russia’s activities in Eastern Europe.
The evidence presented by Romania’s Intelligence Service underscores a significant threat to the electoral integrity of the nation through extensive cyberattacks and manipulative influence campaigns. The incidents not only raise questions about the current security of electoral infrastructures but also underline the potential for external interference in democratic processes. As Romania continues with its electoral procedures, vigilance against such threats remains paramount.
Original Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
