Head Mare

Head Mare Hackers Exploit TrueConf Servers to Distribute PhantomCore and PhantomGraph Backdoors

Russian organizations have been targeted in a new campaign by the Head Mare group, which compromises unpatched TrueConf servers to deliver backdoors. Attackers chain vulnerabilities KLCERT-26-057 and KLCERT-26-058 to execute arbitrary code with maximum privileges on affected servers. They then replace a server file with a web shell to explore the victim's infrastructure, access the TrueConf database, and substitute the client installer. Victims are tricked via social engineering into downloading the malicious client during video conferences without any suspicious emails. The campaign affects TrueConf Server versions 5.3.X through 5.3.9, 5.4.X through 5.4.9, 5.5.X through 5.5.5, and earlier releases. Kaspersky researchers recommend immediate updates to patched versions 5.3.9, 5.4.9, and 5.5.5 released on 18 June 2026. The threat extends beyond direct TrueConf users, as any employee invited to a compromised server can inadvertently install the backdoor.