Brinztech Alert: Hacktivist Group “IMT” Targets Global Schools; “Stamps” Sanjivani (India) & Peruvian Institute

Dark Web News Analysis

The dark web news reports a public “hack announcement” from a known hacktivist group (the “IMT” crew). This is not a “sale”; it is a “trophy post” or a de-facto defacement announcement.

The hacktivist group is publicly bragging that they have successfully breached multiple, unrelated educational institutions across the globe, including:

1. Sanjivani Group of Institute (India)
2. Daniel Villar Public Institute of T.H.E. (Peru)

The “IMT Seal” is their digital graffiti tag or “stamp.” By posting the URL to the Peruvian institute (https://iestpdv.edu.pe/), they are providing live proof that they have “owned” (gained full admin control over) the server. The post implies Sanjivani has been “stamped” in the same way.

This is a “Code Red,” confirmed breach. The public defacement is just “Phase 1.”

Key Cybersecurity Insights

This is a high-severity, “Code Red” incident. The real threat is not the public post; it’s the server compromise that enabled the post.

1. CATASTROPHIC: “The Defacement is Phase 1 (The Real Threat is the Leak)”: This is the #1, immediate threat. To “stamp” a server, an attacker must have “God mode” (root/admin) access. This means the “IMT” group has already stolen (or has full access to) the entire server, including:
   • The “Crown Jewels”: The full student & faculty database (PII, Names, Emails, Phone Numbers, Addresses, Aadhaar card details, Passport info).
   • The IP: All internal research data and intellectual property.
   • The public defacement is just the taunt. The catastrophic data leak is Phase 2, which can happen at any moment.
2. “Hacktivist ‘Trophy’ Post” (The Motive): (As noted). This is not a financial crime (yet). This is a reputational attack. The “IMT” group is listing its global trophies (India, Peru) to build reputation and humiliate the victims.
3. The “Vector” = Unpatched CMS: (As noted). This is the most likely vector. Educational institutions are notorious for running old, unpatched software (e.g., Moodle, WordPress, Joomla) or having simple, un-firewalled vulnerabilities (SQL Injection, RCE). The attacker almost certainly got in through a simple, known vulnerability.
4. Catastrophic Regulatory Failure (India – CERT-In / DPDP Act): This is a severe data breach (the compromise is confirmed, even if the data isn’t public yet).
   • Regulator: This is a “Code Red” for CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) and NCIIPC (it’s “Critical Information Infrastructure”).
   • Law: This is a severe violation of India’s new Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. This is a massive, multi-crore fine event for Sanjivani.

Mitigation Strategies

This is a “Code Red,” “Assume Breach” incident. The server is actively compromised.

For Sanjivani Group of Institute (The Victim):

• MANDATORY (Priority 1): “KILL SWITCH” / Isolate NOW! (As suggested). Take the server(s) offline immediately. It is actively compromised and in the attacker’s control.
• MANDATORY (Priority 2): Activate “Assume Breach” IR Plan: (As suggested). Engage a top-tier DFIR (Digital Forensics) firm immediately. This is not an “alleged” breach; it is confirmed by the attacker’s “stamp.”
• MANDATORY (Priority 3): Hunt for the “IMT” Backdoor: The attacker is still inside (or has left a persistent backdoor). You must find the vector, the C2 channel, and the persistence. The only safe path is a “scorched earth” rebuild from a known good, offline backup (after patching the vulnerability).
• MANDATORY (Priority 4): Report to CERT-In & DPDP: (As suggested). Immediately report this to CERT-In (within the 6-hour window) and the Data Protection Board. This is a legal requirement.
• MANDATORY (Priority 5): Force Password Reset & Enforce MFA: (As suggested). Force a password reset on all student, faculty, and (especially) admin accounts. Enforce MFA everywhere.

For ALL Educational Institutions (The Lesson):

• CRITICAL (Priority 1): Patch Your CMS & Web Apps! (As suggested). This is the vector. Your Moodle, WordPress, and Joomla must be patched today.
• CRITICAL (Priority 2): Conduct a Pen Test: (As suggested). Your “low-bid” website is your biggest vulnerability.

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Questions or Feedback? This analysis is based on threat intelligence from a dark web forum. A public “stamp” or “defacement” by a known hacktivist group is a 100% confirmation of a full system compromise. The real damage (the data leak) is almost always the next step. Brinztech provides cybersecurity services worldwide and do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of external claims. For any inquiries or to report this post, please email: contact@brinshtech.com