Russian intelligence spies on NATO military bases through civilian cameras connected to the Internet, using hacked devices to monitor the transfer of military equipment to Ukraine, Dutch intelligence services said in a joint investigation.Homeland security agency AIVD and military intelligence agency MIVD said they had uncovered a “large-scale Russian operation” targeting cameras along military transport routes in European NATO member states, including the Netherlands and Ukraine. Organizations with cameras on these roads have been warned and advised to take necessary measures.The investigation found that many of the compromised devices lacked basic security protections, often relying on default passwords, outdated firmware and standard factory configurations.
Hackers used available applications to search for and hack accessible cameras.
Camera hacking and modern warfare
The Dutch revelation fits into a broader pattern of camera hacking in modern warfare. Ukrainian hackers have hijacked Russian surveillance cameras to monitor troop movements and conduct long-range strikes, including during the first known use of an undersea drone against a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk.Israeli and CIA spies also infiltrated a network of security and traffic cameras across Tehran to locate former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before launching the strikes that killed him on the first day of the Iran war, according to previous reports.
This practice is now considered easier and cheaper than using drones or satellites. Ground cameras provide a unique view of the terrain at ground level that aerial intelligence cannot match.
Dutch authorities warn organizations
The AIVD and MIVD have issued a cybersecurity advisory urging organizations with internet-connected cameras to update software, change default passwords and review device configurations to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.This alert comes after Dutch authorities dismantled infrastructure linked to pro-Russian cyber operations by seizing 800 servers from two hosting providers allegedly used to support attacks across Europe.
