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Techhnology
Kaspersky Malicious Payload Phishing Attacks RansomHub Ransomware Techhnology

RansomHub Ransomware: Exploiting Trusted Tools to Evade Detection

RansomHub Ransomware: Exploiting Trusted Tools to Evade Detection

Ransomware groups continue to innovate and adapt their tactics to bypass security measures. One such group, RansomHub, reported by Malwarebytes, has recently garnered attention for its sophisticated approach to disabling Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems. By leveraging Kaspersky’s TDSSKiller, a legitimate rootkit removal tool, RansomHub has managed to execute its malicious payloads undetected, posing a significant threat to organizations worldwide.

The Rise of RansomHub

RansomHub is a relatively new player in the ransomware scene, but it has quickly made a name for itself with its advanced techniques and targeted attacks. Unlike traditional ransomware groups that rely on brute force methods or simple phishing campaigns, RansomHub employs a more nuanced strategy. By using legitimate software tools in unexpected ways, they can evade detection and maximize the impact of their attacks.

The Role of Kaspersky’s TDSSKiller

Kaspersky’s TDSSKiller is a well-known tool in the cybersecurity community, designed to detect and remove rootkits from infected systems. Rootkits are a type of malware that can hide the presence of other malicious software, making them particularly dangerous. TDSSKiller is widely trusted and used by security professionals to clean compromised systems.

However, RansomHub has found a way to exploit this tool for malicious purposes. By incorporating TDSSKiller into their attack chain, they can disable EDR software that would otherwise detect and block their ransomware. This tactic is particularly insidious because it uses a trusted tool to carry out malicious actions, making it harder for security teams to identify and respond to the threat.

The Attack Chain

RansomHub’s attack chain typically begins with a phishing email or a compromised website that delivers the initial payload. Once the ransomware is on the target system, it uses a variety of techniques to escalate privileges and gain control over the machine. This is where TDSSKiller comes into play.

By running TDSSKiller, the ransomware can disable EDR software and other security measures that would normally detect and block the attack. With these defenses out of the way, RansomHub can then proceed to encrypt the victim’s files and demand a ransom for their release. In some cases, they also use a credential-harvesting tool called LaZagne to extract sensitive information, further increasing the pressure on the victim to pay the ransom.

Threats Posed by Tools

The use of legitimate tools like TDSSKiller in ransomware attacks highlights a significant challenge for the cybersecurity community. Traditional security measures are often designed to detect and block known malware and suspicious behavior. However, when attackers use trusted tools unexpectedly, these measures can be less effective.

This tactic also underscores the importance of a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. Relying solely on EDR software or other endpoint protection measures is no longer sufficient. Organizations must implement a comprehensive security strategy that includes network monitoring, threat intelligence, and user education to detect and respond to these advanced threats.

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Redis Servers
cryptomining Malicious Payload malware P2P Botnets Redis Servers

P2Pinfect Worm Now Delivering Ransomware on Redis Servers

 

Cado Security experts warned that the P2Pinfect worm is used in attacks on Redis servers to deliver ransomware and cryptocurrency mining payloads. 

Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 researchers uncovered the P2P worm P2PInfect in July 2023, which targets Redis servers running Linux and Windows operating systems. P2PInfect's ability to target Redis servers running on both Linux and Windows operating systems makes it more expandable and dangerous than other worms.

Cado Security Labs identified a new strain of the P2Pinfect botnet in December 2023, specifically targeting routers, IoT devices, and other embedded devices. This variation was built for the Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipelined Stages (MIPS) architecture. The new bot includes enhanced evasion methods, the ability to evade execution in a Virtual Machine (VM) or a debugger, and anti-forensics support for Linux hosts. 

The worm is written in Rust and targets Redis instances using the Lua sandbox escape vulnerability CVE-2022-0543 (CVSS score 10.0). In September 2023, Cado Security Labs detected a 600x spike in P2Pinfect traffic since August 28. Researchers noted that the malware did not seem to have a goal other than to spread; however, a new upgrade of P2Pinfect has introduced a ransomware and crypto miner payload. 

The most recent campaign began on June 23, based on the TLS certificate used for C2 communications. The malware propagates by leveraging Redis's replication features, where nodes in a distributed cluster follow a leader/follower topology. The attackers exploited this feature by making follower nodes load arbitrary modules, allowing code execution on these nodes. P2Pinfect uses the SLAVEOF command to turn open Redis nodes into followers of a server under the control of its operator. 

“P2Pinfect is a worm, so all infected machines will scan the internet for more servers to infect with the same vector described above. P2Pinfect also features a basic SSH password sprayer, where it will try a few common passwords with a few common users, but the success of this infection vector seems to be a lot less than with Redis, likely as it is oversaturated,” Cado researchers stated. “Upon launch it drops an SSH key into the authorised key file for the current user and runs a series of commands to prevent access to the Redis instance apart from IPs belonging to existing connections.”

The war's primary binary appears to have been changed; it is now built with the Tokio async framework for Rust and includes UPX. The malware's internals have been completely unwritten; researchers discovered that the binary had been stripped and partially obfuscated to make static analysis more challenging. Previously, P2Pinfect maintained persistence by adding it to.bash_logout and running a cron job, however these methods are no longer used. Other behaviours, such as the initial setup, are unaffected.
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Trojan
Clone Cyber Security Malicious Payload Minesweeper Trojan

Unmasking the Trojan: How Hackers Exploit Innocent Games for Malicious Intent


Hackers continue to find ingenious ways to infiltrate organizations and compromise sensitive data. Recently, a peculiar attack vector emerged—one that leverages an unsuspecting source: a Python clone of the classic Minesweeper game. 

In this blog post, we delve into the details of this novel attack and explore the implications for cybersecurity professionals.

The Trojanized Minesweeper Clone

The Setup

The attack begins innocuously enough—an email arrives in an employee’s inbox, seemingly from a legitimate medical center. 

The subject line reads, “Personal Web Archive of Medical Documents.” Curiosity piqued, the recipient opens the email and finds a Dropbox link to download a 33MB SCR file. The file claims to contain a web archive of medical documents, but hidden within its code lies a sinister secret.

The Malicious Payload

The SCR file contains two distinct components:

Legitimate Minesweeper Code

  • The attackers cleverly embed code from a Python clone of the classic Minesweeper game. This seemingly harmless code serves as camouflage, distracting security scanners and human reviewers.
  • The Minesweeper game runs as expected, creating a façade of normalcy.

Malicious Python Script

  • Concealed within the Minesweeper code, a malicious Python script lies dormant.
  • When executed, this script connects to a remote server (“anotepad.com”) and downloads additional payloads.
  • The ultimate goal? To install the SuperOps RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) software—a legitimate tool that provides remote access to compromised systems.

The Threat Actor: UAC-0188

The attack is attributed to a threat actor known as “UAC-0188.” This actor demonstrates a keen understanding of social engineering and exploits users’ trust in seemingly benign applications. By piggybacking on the Minesweeper clone, UAC-0188 bypasses initial scrutiny and gains a foothold within the organization.

Implications and Countermeasures

Organizations must remain vigilant and adopt proactive measures to counter such attacks:

User Awareness

  • Educate employees about phishing tactics and the importance of scrutinizing unexpected attachments.
  • Encourage skepticism—even when the sender appears legitimate.

Behavioral Analysis

  • Implement behavioral analysis tools that detect anomalies in file behavior.
  • Scrutinize code for hidden payloads, especially within seemingly harmless files.

Network Segmentation

  • Isolate critical systems from less secure areas of the network.
  • Limit lateral movement for attackers.

Regular Security Audits

  • Conduct regular audits to identify vulnerabilities.
  • Update security policies and procedures accordingly. 

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Threat Landscape
GitHub Malicious Payload malware Repository Scanning Threat Landscape

Hackers Use GitHub Search to Deliver Malware

 

Checkmarx, an application security firm, has discovered that threat actors are altering GitHub search results in order to infect developers with persistent malware.

As part of the campaign, attackers were seen developing fake repositories with popular names and themes, and then boosting their search ranks using automatic updates and fake ratings. 

To avoid detection, the threat actors concealed a harmful payload within Visual Studio project files, resulting in the execution of malware similar to Keyzetsu clipper that targets crypto wallets. The malware is installed continuously on Windows machines and is scheduled to be executed daily. 

The threat actors were observed leveraging GitHub Actions to automatically update the malicious repositories by making minor changes to a file titled 'log', which artificially enhances the repositories' visibility and the possibility of users accessing them. 

Furthermore, the attackers were detected adding fictitious stars to their repositories from various fake identities, tricking users into believing the repositories are popular and genuine. 

“Unsuspecting users, often drawn to the top search results and repositories with seemingly positive engagement, are more likely to click on these malicious repositories and use the code or tools they provide, unaware of the hidden dangers lurking within,” Checkmarx stated. 

The attackers inserted their malicious payload in a Visual Studio project file's pre-build event, causing it to be run automatically across the build process. The payload downloads additional content from certain URLs based on the victim's country, downloads encrypted files from the URLs, extracts and runs their content, and checks the system's IP address to see if it is in Russia. 

On April 3, the attackers began utilising a new URL that pointed to an archived executable file. To avoid detection by security solutions, they padded the executable with an abundance of zeros, preventing scanning.

"The results of our analysis of this malware suggest that the malware contains similarities to the 'Keyzetsu clipper' malware, a relatively new addition to the growing list of crypto wallet clippers commonly distributed through pirated software," Checkmarx said in a press release.

A scheduled task that points to an executable file shortcut is one way that malware tries to remain persistent. Several malicious repositories have received complaints from infected users, suggesting that Checkmarx's effort has been successful. 

In the aftermath of the XZ attack and many other recent incidents, it would be irresponsible for developers to rely solely on reputation as a metric when using open-source code. These incidents highlight the necessity for manual code reviews or the use of specialized tools that perform thorough code inspections for malware,” Checkmarx added.
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TTPs
Botnet Malicious Payload malware Malware Service ransomware attacks Threat Landscape TTPs

Ransomware Makes Up 58% of Malware Families Sold as Services

 

Ransomware has emerged as the most pervasive Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) during the past seven years, according to a new study from the Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence team. Based on analysis of 97 malware families that were disseminated via the dark web and other sites, the study was undertaken. The researchers also discovered that hackers frequently rent infostealers, botnets, loaders, and backdoors to conduct their attacks.

An illegal business concept called malware-as-a-service (MaaS) involves renting out software to commit cyberattacks. Clients of these services are typically provided with a personal account via which they may manage the attack as well as technical support. 

Ransomware the most widely used malware-as-a-Service

In order to determine the popular types, Kaspersky's experts assessed the sale quantities of different malware families as well as mentions, debates, posts, and search advertising on the darknet and other sites regarding MaaS. The dominant force turned out to be ransomware, or malicious software that encrypts data and demands payment to decrypt it. Of all the families supplied under the MaaS model between 2015 and 2022, it accounted for 58%. Ransomware's appeal can be ascribed to its capacity to produce greater earnings than other forms of malware in a shorter amount of time.

Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) allows cybercriminals to "subscribe" for nothing. They start paying for the service after the attack occurs after they are partners in the programme. A portion of the victim's ransom payment, usually between 10% and 40% of each transaction, determines the payout amount. Entering the programme, meanwhile, is not an easy undertaking because there are strict qualifications. 

Infostealers made up 24% of malware families offered as a service throughout the analysed time frame. These are malicious software meant to steal information, including usernames, passwords, banking information, browsing history, data from cryptocurrency wallets, and more. 

Subscription-based payment methods are used for infostealer services. The cost per month ranges from 100 to 300 dollars in the United States. For instance, Raccoon Stealer, which was cancelled in the first few days of February 2023, could be purchased for 275 dollars per month or 150 dollars per week. According to information provided on the Darknet by its operators, RedLine's rival charges 150 dollars a month and also offers the chance to buy a lifetime licence for 900 dollars. 

Botnets, loaders, and backdoors were found to be present in 18% of malware families offered as services. Since many of these threats share the same objective—uploading and running further malware on the victim's device—they are grouped together as a single threat. 

Prevention tips

Kaspersky experts advise the following to safeguard your business from such threats: 

  • To stop hackers from breaking into your network by taking advantage of vulnerabilities, keep the software updated on all the devices you use.
  • Update your systems with fixes as soon as new vulnerabilities are discovered. Threat actors cannot exploit the vulnerability after it has been downloaded. 
  • To stay informed about the real TTPs employed by threat actors, use the most recent threat intelligence data. 
  • Investigate an adversary's perception of your company's resources with the aid of Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence to quickly identify any potential attack vectors you may have. This also aids in spreading awareness of the threats that cybercriminals are currently posing so that you can timely alter your defences or implement countermeasures and elimination strategies.
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Supply Chain Attack
Cyber Attacks File Transfer Tool Global Attacks Global Firms Malicious Payload Supply Chain Attack

BBC, British Airways Among High Profile Victims in Global Supply-Chain Hack

 

A rising number of organisations, including the BBC, British Airways, Boots, and Aer Lingus, are being impacted by a widespread attack.

Staff members have received warnings that personal information, including social security numbers and, in some circumstances, bank information, may have been stolen.

The hackers used a well-known piece of software as a gateway to access numerous businesses simultaneously. There are no reports of money being taken or requests for ransom.

One of the impacted businesses in the UK is the payroll services provider Zellis, which reported that data from eight of its customer organisations had been stolen. 

Organisations are notifying employees on their own, though it wouldn't give names. The BBC informed the staff via email that the stolen data contained staff ID numbers, dates of birth, residential addresses, and national insurance numbers. 

British Airways employees have been told that some of their bank information may have been stolen. The National Cyber Security Centre of the UK stated that it was keeping an eye on the situation and recommended businesses using the affected software to apply security updates.

The attack was initially made public last week when US business Progress Software said that hackers had discovered a way to access its MOVEit Transfer application. The majority of MOVEit's users are in the US, although the programme is well-known throughout the world for safely moving sensitive files.

When the exploit was found, according to Progress Software, it immediately informed its clients and made a security update available for download. 

A company spokeswoman stated that the company is collaborating with the police to "combat increasingly sophisticated and persistent cybercriminals intent on maliciously exploiting vulnerabilities in widely used software products".

Businesses using MOVEit were advised to download a security patch on Thursday by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to prevent further breaches. 

However, security researcher Kevin Beaumont claimed that because many impacted companies had not yet installed the remedy, internet scans revealed that thousands of company datasets may still be exposed.

Experts predicted that instead of extorting money from individuals, cybercriminals would try to do so from businesses. Although no public ransom demands have been made as of yet, it is anticipated that cybercriminals will start emailing impacted firms to demand payment. They'll probably threaten to release the info online for other hackers to browse. 

Victim organisations caution personnel to be alert for any dubious communications that could result in additional cyberattacks. Microsoft stated that it felt the perpetrators were connected to the infamous Cl0p ransomware organisation, which is thought to have its base of operations in Russia, despite the fact that no official attribution had been established.

The US tech giant claimed in a blog post that it was attributing assaults to Lace Tempest, a ransomware operator and owner of the Cl0p extortion website where victim data is exposed. According to the business, the hackers who were behind the attack have previously used similar methods to extort victims and steal data. 

"This latest round of attacks is another reminder of the importance of supply chain security," stated John Shier, from cyber security company Sophos. "While Cl0p has been linked to this active exploitation it is probable that other threat groups are prepared to use this vulnerability as well."
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Online Safety
Cobalt Strike Cyber Attacks macOS Products Malicious Payload Online Safety

Hackers Target Apple macOS Systems with a Golang Version of Cobalt Strike

 

Threat actors intending to attack Apple macOS systems are likely to pay attention to Geacon, a Cobalt Strike implementation written in the Go programming language. 

The details were accumulated by SentinelOne, which noticed an increase in the quantity of Geacon payloads that have been showing up on VirusTotal lately. 

"While some of these are likely red-team operations, others bear the characteristics of genuine malicious attacks," security researchers Phil Stokes and Dinesh Devadoss explained in a report. 

Red teaming and adversary simulation tool Cobalt Strike was created by Fortra and is well recognised. Illegally cracked versions of the software have been abused by threat actors throughout the years due to its numerous post-exploitation features. While Cobalt Strike's post-exploitation activities mostly targeted Windows, assaults against macOS are rather uncommon. 

A malicious Python package called "pymafka" was created to install a Cobalt Strike Beacon on infected Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. Sonatype, a software supply chain company, revealed details of this package in May 2022. 

The discovery of Geacon artefacts in the wild, however, could alter that. Since February 2020, GitHub has hosted Geacon, a Go version of Cobalt Strike. Additional investigation into two fresh VirusTotal samples posted in April 2023 has linked them to two Geacon versions (geacon_plus and geacon_pro) created in late October by two unidentified Chinese developers, z3ratu1 and H4de5. The geacon_pro project is no longer available on GitHub, but a snapshot from the Internet Archive on March 6, 2023 shows that it can get past antivirus programmes including Microsoft Defender, Kaspersky, and Qihoo 360 360 Core Crystal. 

While geacon_plus supports CobaltStrike versions 4.0 and after, the tool's creator, H4de5, asserts that geacon_pro is primarily meant to handle CobaltStrike versions 4.1 and later. The software is currently at version 4.8. 

One of the artefacts found by SentinelOne, Resume_20230320.app by Xu Yiqing, uses a run-only AppleScript to connect to a remote server and download a Geacon payload. Both Apple silicon and Intel architectures are compatible with it. 

"The unsigned Geacon payload is retrieved from an IP address in China," the researchers explained. "Before it begins its beaconing activity, the user is presented with a two-page decoy document embedded in the Geacon binary. A PDF is opened displaying a resume for an individual named 'Xu Yiqing.'"

The Geacon binary, created by compiling the geacon_plus source code, includes a wide range of features that enable it to download next-stage payloads, exfiltrate data, and improve network connections. 

The second copy is reportedly included into a trojanized app that poses as the SecureLink remote assistance app (SecureLink.app) and primarily targets Intel devices, according to the cybersecurity firm. 

The basic, unsigned programme asks users for permission to access contacts, pictures, reminders, as well as the camera and microphone on the smartphone. The Geacon payload from the geacon_pro project, which connects to a known command-and-control (C2) server in Japan, is the core element of the attack.
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Tech Gadgets
Malicious Payload Mobile Security Online Security Ransomware attack Tech Gadgets

LockBit Operators Target Apple MacOS Devices

 

In order to encrypt files on devices running Apple's macOS operating system, the actors behind the LockBit ransomware campaign have created new artifacts. 

It appears that the development marks the first time a large-scale ransomware group has produced a macOS-based payload, as was noted over the weekend by the MalwareHunterTeam. 

Additional samples found by vx-underground demonstrate that the macOS variant has been accessible since November 11, 2022, and has so far managed to avoid being discovered by anti-malware engines. 

The threat actors behind LockBit, a well-known cybercrime gang with ties to Russia, released two significant modifications to the locker in 2021 and 2022. They have been active since late 2019. 

LockBit overtook Cl0p as the second most popular ransomware in March 2023, according to figures made public by Malwarebytes last week, and it was responsible for 93 successful assaults.

The new macOS version ("locker_Apple_M1_64") is still under development and uses an incorrect signature to sign the executable, according to an analysis of the software. As a result, even if it is downloaded and launched on a device, Apple's Gatekeeper security measures will block it from being used. 

Security researcher Patrick Wardle claims that the payload contains files like autorun.inf and ntuser.dat.log, indicating that the ransomware sample was initially intended to attack Windows. 

"While yes it can indeed run on Apple Silicon, that is basically the extent of its impact," Wardle explained. "Thus macOS users have nothing to worry about ...for now!" 

Wardle also drew attention to other security measures put in place by Apple, such as System Integrity Protection (SIP) and Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC), which stop the execution of unauthorised code and mandate that programmes ask users' permission before accessing protected files and data. 

"This means that without an exploit or explicit user-approval users files will remain protected," Wardle explained. "Still an additional layer or detection/protection may be warranted." 

According to SentinelOne researcher Phil Stokes, the macOS version of LockBit is also a "direct descendant" of the Linux variant and does not "implement any functionality for exfiltrating the data it locks, nor does it have any method of persistence." Stokes described the threat's current state of development. 

In describing the threat's current state of development, SentinelOne researcher Phil Stokes noted that the macOS version of LockBit is also a "direct descendant" of the Linux variant and lacks "any functionality for exfiltrating the data it locks, nor does it have any method of persistence."

It is clear from the results that threat actors are progressively focusing their attention on macOS systems, despite the fact that the artefacts are generally buggy. Since then, a LockBit spokesperson has verified to Bleeping Computer that the macOS encryptor is "actively being developed," indicating that the malware is likely to pose a severe threat to the platform. 
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