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python
Blockchain cryptocurrency Cyber Attacks Cybersecurity GitHub Hacker JavaScript Linkedin malware python

North Korean Hacker Group Targets Cryptocurrency Developers via LinkedIn

 

A North Korean threat group known as Slow Pisces has launched a sophisticated cyberattack campaign, focusing on developers in the cryptocurrency industry through LinkedIn. Also referred to as TraderTraitor or Jade Sleet, the group impersonates recruiters offering legitimate job opportunities and coding challenges to deceive their targets. In reality, they deliver malicious Python and JavaScript code designed to compromise victims' systems.

This ongoing operation has led to massive cryptocurrency thefts. In 2023 alone, Slow Pisces was tied to cyber heists exceeding $1 billion. Notable incidents include a $1.5 billion breach at a Dubai exchange and a $308 million theft from a Japanese firm. The attackers typically initiate contact by sending PDFs containing job descriptions and later provide coding tasks hosted on GitHub. Although these repositories mimic authentic open-source projects, they are secretly altered to carry hidden malware.

As victims work on these assignments, they unknowingly execute malicious programs like RN Loader and RN Stealer on their devices. These infected projects resemble legitimate developer tools—for instance, Python repositories that claim to analyze stock market data but are actually designed to communicate with attacker-controlled servers.

The malware cleverly evades detection by using YAML deserialization techniques instead of commonly flagged functions like eval or exec. Once triggered, the loader fetches and runs additional malicious payloads directly in memory, making the infection harder to detect and eliminate.

One key malware component, RN Stealer, is built to extract sensitive information, including credentials, cloud configuration files, and SSH keys, especially from macOS systems. JavaScript-based versions of the malware behave similarly, leveraging the Embedded JavaScript templating engine to conceal harmful code. This code activates selectively based on IP addresses or browser signatures, targeting specific victims.

Forensic investigations revealed that the malware stores its code in hidden folders and uses HTTPS channels secured with custom tokens to communicate. However, experts were unable to fully recover the malicious JavaScript payload.

Both GitHub and LinkedIn have taken action against the threat.

"GitHub and LinkedIn removed these malicious accounts for violating our respective terms of service. Across our products, we use automated technology, combined with teams of investigation experts and member reporting, to combat bad actors and enforce terms of service. We continue to evolve and improve our processes and encourage our customers and members to report any suspicious activity," the companies said in a joint statement.

Given the increasing sophistication of these attacks, developers are urged to exercise caution when approached with remote job offers or coding tests. It is recommended to use robust antivirus solutions and execute unknown code within secure, sandboxed environments, particularly when working in the high-risk cryptocurrency sector.

Security experts advise using trusted integrated development environments (IDEs) equipped with built-in security features. Maintaining a vigilant and secure working setup can significantly lower the chances of falling victim to these state-sponsored cyberattacks.
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private
Agent Tesla Email Financial Data malware private

Tesla Users Targeted by Dangerous New Malware: What You Should Know

 



Tesla has often made headlines lately, but this new problem is not connected to Elon Musk or his cars. Instead, it involves cybercriminals who are trying to steal people’s private information using a dangerous software called Agent Tesla.

Here’s a clear explanation of how the attack works and what you need to stay safe.


Attackers Use Clever Tricks to Spread Malware

Researchers from Unit 42, the security team at Palo Alto Networks, have reported a new online threat. This time, hackers are sending fake emails to people, pretending that important documents like invoices or payment receipts are attached.

When someone opens the file, it quietly triggers a hidden script. This script then downloads a second program called PowerShell, which runs silently from the computer’s temporary folder, making it much harder for antivirus software to detect.

Once the script is active, the attack can follow one of two different paths: it either launches a .NET file or an AutoIt dropper. Depending on which one is used, different types of harmful programs are installed on the victim’s device. Although each step of the attack is simple, when combined, they make the entire process harder to spot and stop.


What is Agent Tesla?

One of the main threats delivered by this campaign is Agent Tesla. Agent Tesla is a type of malware known as a Remote Access Trojan (RAT). It allows hackers to secretly access and steal important information from an infected device. Once inside, it can gather:

1. Usernames and passwords

2. Email contacts and communication details

3. Financial data

4. Saved information from web browsers

5. Screenshots from the user’s computer

6. Information from email apps

7. Records of everything typed (keystrokes)

It can even read private email and chat messages, making it very dangerous for both individuals and businesses.

The same attack campaign was also seen using other malware like Remcos RAT and XLoader, but Agent Tesla was a major part of the operation because of its strong data theft abilities.


Be Careful With Unknown Emails

Since the attack begins with a simple email, it’s important to stay cautious. Avoid opening attachments you weren't expecting, especially if the email asks you to check a payment or invoice you do not recognize.

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Spyware
API Keys Cybersecurity Data Breach Developers malware npm packages open-source phishing Software Supply Chain Spyware

Rise in Data-Stealing Malware Targeting Developers, Sonatype Warns

 

A recent report released on April 2 has uncovered a worrying rise in open-source malware aimed at developers. These attacks, described as “smash and grab” operations, are designed to swiftly exfiltrate sensitive data from development environments.

Brian Fox, co-founder and CTO of Sonatype, explained that developers are increasingly falling victim to deceptive software packages. Once installed, these packages execute malicious code to harvest confidential data such as API keys, session cookies, and database credentials—then transmit it externally.

“It’s over in a flash,” Fox said. “Many of the times, people don’t recognize that this was even an attack.”

Sonatype, a leader in software supply-chain security, revealed that 56% of malware identified in Q1 2025 focused on data exfiltration. These programs are tailored to extract sensitive information from compromised systems. This marks a sharp increase from Q4 2024, when only 26% of open-source threats had such capabilities. The company defines open-source malware as “malicious code intentionally crafted to target developers in order to infiltrate and exploit software supply chains.”

Fox emphasized that these attacks often begin with spear phishing tactics—posing as legitimate software packages on public repositories. Minor changes, such as replacing hyphens with underscores in filenames, can mislead even seasoned developers.

“The attackers fake the number of downloads. They fake the stars so it can look as legit as the original one, because there’s not enough awareness. [Developers] are not yet trained to be skeptical,” Fox told us.

These stolen data fragments—while small—can have massive consequences. API keys, hashed passwords, and cookie caches serve as backdoors for broader attacks.

“They’re breaking into the janitor’s closet, not to put in a bomb, but to grab his keychain, and then they’re going to come back at night with the keychain,” Fox said.

The 2025 report highlights early examples:

Compromised JavaScript packages on npm were found to steal environment variables, which typically contain API tokens, SSH credentials, and other sensitive information.

A fake npm extension embedded spyware that enabled complete remote access.

Malicious packages targeted cryptocurrency developers, deploying Windows trojans capable of keylogging and data exfiltration. These packages had over 1,900 downloads collectively.

A separate report published by Sonatype in November 2024 reported a 156% year-over-year surge in open-source malware. Since October 2023, over 512,847 malicious packages have been identified—including but not limited to data-exfiltrating malware.
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Vulnerabilities
Andriod ATR Cyber Hackers Cybersecurity CyberThreat MaaS malware NFC SiperCard TLS Vulnerabilities

New Android Threat Raises Concern Over NFC Relay Attack Vulnerabilities

 


In recent times, there has been considerable concern with regards to some newly uncovered Android-based malware-as-a-service (Maas) platforms, particularly those based on Android and known as SuperCard X. This is because this platform was able to execute these attacks in near-field communication (NFC). A sophisticated tool such as this enables threat actors to make unauthorised contactless payments, allowing them to withdraw money without requiring direct physical access to their cards. 

Through advanced near-field communication (NFC) relay techniques, this malware is able to allow threat actors to authorize illicit transactions at contactless-enabled ATMs and Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals without actually requiring the victim to give them their card details. Using such methods, the attacker deceives users into installing a malicious Android application, during which their payment cards are tapped against their compromised devices. 

The sensitive data from the NFC tags is intercepted and relayed in real time to the attacker-controlled infrastructure while the attack is taking place. It appears that the platform has been part of a Malware-as-a-Service MaasS) ecosystem for Chinese-speaking users. In addition, it appears to have a significant amount of code overlap with NGate, a malicious NFC toolkit that was previously documented by ESET in 2024. The campaign has had a wide-reaching impact on not only banking customers but also credit card issuers and payment processors as well. 

With the help of widely adopted contactless payment technologies, attackers are able to devise an extremely effective means of executing an unauthorised cashout, especially if they trick the user into disabling transaction limits. This campaign's success has been attributed to its combination of streamlined malware and persuasive social engineering, a development that signals a significant change in the tactics used by mobile threat actors in the future.

Apparently, the current campaign appears to be primarily targeting Italian bank customers and cardholders, according to recent research conducted by the fraud prevention firm Cleafy. It is reported that the attackers intend to collect sensitive payment card data through a methodical and layering approach in a very systematic way. Several analysts, including Federico Valentini, Alessandro Strino, and Michele Roviello, have concluded that SuperCard X uses a multiphase strategic attack method. 

Social engineering tactics are used to lure victims into installing malicious Android applications, which can intercept NFC data that has been compromised from a compromised device. This can include SMS-based phishing (smishing) as well as deceptive phone calls that lure victims into installing malicious Android applications. Additionally, preliminary findings indicate that the service is actively promoted on Telegram channels, which suggests that the tool’s distribution and monetisation are being supported by a larger underground network. 

The campaign's focus is on covert data harvesting and real-time exploitation of data, a trend which highlights the importance of mobile devices as a critical point of entry for financial fraudsters. A growing number of mobile payments is highlighting a need for enhanced awareness of users, robust security protocols, and real-time threat intelligence to combat the ever-increasing number of mobile-focused cyberattacks. As far as the malware's operational architecture is concerned, it displays a clever combination of sophistication and subtlety. 

To keep the component known as "Reader" from being detected by security platforms that are based on heuristics or signature-based and signature-driven algorithms, such as VirusTotal, the component is intentionally designed to only ask for basic system permissions as well as some NFC permissions, an intentional design choice. The technical findings of Cleafy indicate significant code reuse from the open-source relay toolkit NFCGate and the malicious variant NGate, both of which were identified by ESET in 2024. 

Using publicly available frameworks has probably accelerated development and led to a quicker onboarding process for new threat actor affiliates because it allows development to take place faster. When victims are coerced into tapping their credit or debit cards against a compromised device, they are silently captured, including low-level smart card responses such as the Answer To Reset (ATR) messages, from the compromised device. This is often done through social engineering.

Data such as this is sent instantly through a command-and-control network that is based on HTTP and protected with mutually negotiated TLS authentication, which limits communication to validated client instances and reduces the probability of external intrusion. During the same time, a secondary application on a separate attacker-controlled Android device called the "Tapper" is played that simulates the victim's card at a payment terminal or contactless ATM by using Host-Based Card Emulation (HCE). 

With a combination of disabling the card spending limits for the victim, this tactic can ensure that the maximum number of fraudulent withdrawals are made while remaining virtually undetectable by standard mobile security solutions. As a result of Cleafy's analysis, SuperCard X is designed to be stealthy, and it has remained undetected by all antivirus solutions listed on VirusTotal until today. 

Having such a restricted permission model, as well as the absence of overtly malicious behaviours, such as screen overlays and intrusive access requests, which are commonly flagged by heuristic-based security engines, contributes greatly to this success. There is an evident high level of technical competence among the threat actors behind SuperCard X, particularly in the implementation of an ATR-based (Answer to Reset) card emulation system, which demonstrates a high level of technical competence. 

A malware program that replicates the initial response sequence of the smartcard convincingly allows fraudulent transactions to be processed without raising suspicions at a payment terminal by convincingly mimicking authentic smartcard behaviour. In addition to this, users have built a command-and-control infrastructure with mutual Transport Layer Security (MTLS), which ensures that no client devices are permitted to communicate unless they are authenticated. 

A certificate-based verification ensures that not only is data integrity protected, but the network traffic analysis process is hindered significantly by security researchers and law enforcement agencies due to the fact that this certificate is based on verification. Together, these technical safeguards ensure that this malware does not leave a large footprint on the networks and demonstrate how mature the campaign is operationally. 

There is some evidence that the activity associated with SuperCard X is currently restricted to Italy geographically, although Cleafy's report cautions that the threat could rapidly escalate on a global scale if the problem is not addressed promptly. Cybercriminals can acquire and deploy malware-as-a-service (MaaaS) tools on dark web marketplaces that are readily available, which makes it easy for them to acquire and deploy malware against targets from any region. This raises concerns about possible expansion into broader markets, including those in North America and Europe. 

Using convincing social engineering tactics, such as urgent text messages masquerading as official communication from financial institutions, the campaign leverages persuasive social engineering techniques. The messages are designed in such a way that they cause panic in users and prompt them to immediately act, such as clicking on malicious links or downloading unauthorised applications, in order to generate immediate results. 

Individuals should ensure that they verify such messages independently by contacting their financial providers directly through trusted channels in cases where the sender's number matches the victim's actual bank number, especially if the sender's number has been spoofed to match that number. Whenever users receive a request to download an application through an external link, they should be aware that it is a red flag. No legitimate bank would ever ask users for this type of request. 

The user should only install applications from verified sources, such as the Google Play Store, which offer banking apps. It is essential to maintain the functionality of built-in security features on users' Android device, such as Google Play Protect, to mitigate the risk of exposure to threats like SuperCard X. This service continuously scans every application users install and any new applications they download for malicious behavior. 

There are a few things users should consider, such as installing a third-party mobile security solution, as well as awareness and good cyber hygiene practices. As this malware continues to circulate in the wild, awareness and good cyber hygiene are the two best ways to combat the increasing number of mobile malware threats.
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ResolverRAT
Cybersecurity malware Malware analysis Phishing Attacks Remote Access Trojan ResolverRAT

New ResolverRAT Malware Targets Healthcare and Pharma Sectors Worldwide

 

A newly discovered remote access trojan (RAT), dubbed ResolverRAT, is being actively used in targeted cyberattacks against healthcare and pharmaceutical entities across various countries. Identified by cybersecurity researchers at Morphisec, the malware is delivered through phishing emails and uses in-memory execution tactics that allow it to bypass most traditional endpoint security solutions.

The attack campaign is tailored to different regions, with phishing messages crafted in native languages such as Czech, Italian, Turkish, Hindi, Portuguese, and Indonesian. These deceptive emails often reference legal or copyright-related issues to lure users into clicking malicious links. Victims unknowingly download a legitimate executable, hpreader.exe, which is manipulated through a technique called reflective DLL loading—executing the malicious code entirely in memory.

Morphisec researchers note that the attack leverages DLL side-loading: by placing a malicious DLL alongside a trusted but vulnerable application, the malware is executed when the genuine software is launched. Further, ResolverRAT exploits the .NET ‘ResourceResolve’ event to load malicious assemblies, avoiding typical flagged API calls.

“This resource resolver hijacking represents malware evolution at its finest – utilizing an overlooked .NET mechanism to operate entirely within managed memory, circumventing traditional security monitoring focused on Win32 API and file system operations,” wrote Morphisec’s Nadav Lorber in a blog.

ResolverRAT is equipped with multiple anti-analysis capabilities. It features a complex state machine that obfuscates its control flow and fingerprints system behaviors, making it difficult for sandboxes and debugging tools to detect or analyze.

To maintain persistence, the malware writes XOR-obfuscated keys into up to 20 Windows registry entries and replicates itself in directories such as Startup and LocalAppData. It connects to its command-and-control (C2) server at irregular intervals, further concealing its network activity from pattern-based detection tools.

The RAT handles commands using separate threads, which enables parallel task execution and reduces crash risks. For data exfiltration, it employs a chunked transfer method—splitting files larger than 1MB into smaller 16KB segments sent only when the socket is ready, a strategy that supports stealth and transfer recovery in poor network conditions.

ResolverRAT encrypts its payload with AES-256 in CBC mode via the .NET System.Security.Cryptography library. The keys and IVs are obfuscated and only decoded at runtime. Additionally, the payload is compressed using GZip and runs exclusively in memory to minimize detection risk.

While some of the phishing infrastructure resembles earlier Rhadamanthys and Lumma campaigns, Morphisec emphasized that the unique design of ResolverRAT's loader and payload warrants its classification as a new malware strain.
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Russia-Ukraine War
GammaSteel Infostealer malware Russia Hackers Russia-Ukraine War

Russian Attackers Target military mission in Ukraine With Info-Stealing Malware

 

Gamaredon, a Russia-backed threat group renowned for distributing malware via phishing emails, recently appears to have utilised an infected portable drive to target a Ukrainian-based military mission of an undisclosed Western country.

The malware was an updated version of GammaSteel, a data-stealing tool, according to Symantec researchers who analyzed the recent attacks. The report stated that the campaign was active in February and March. 

However, the researchers did not describe the detachable drive. Following the infection, Gamaredon employed novel strategies to disguise its activities from both researchers and sufferers. Symantec says GammaSteel was deployed using a complicated, multi-stage attack chain. 

Gamaredon, also known as Shuckworm and BlueAlpha, has been active since at least 2013 and is thought to operate from the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula under the supervision of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Since the start of the Russian invasion, the organisation has repeatedly targeted Ukraine. In 2023 alone, the country identified 277 cyber incidents linked to the group. 

While Gamaredon is primarily responsible for cyberespionage activities targeting Ukrainian security and defence services, it has also been tied to at least one catastrophic cyberattack on an unidentified information infrastructure institution. Symantec did not reveal the targeted organisation, the extent of the GammaSteel campaign, or the nature of data the hackers attempted to steal. 

Gamaredon, which has historically been regarded as less proficient than other Russian threat actors, seems to have become more sophisticated in the most recent episode. The gang appears to be constantly altering its code, leveraging reliable online services, and adding obfuscation layers. 

Earlier in March, cybersecurity researchers at Cisco Talos warned that Gamaredon was conducting an ongoing operation to install a surveillance tool on Ukrainian computers. As part of this attack, Gamaredon infected users with phishing emails carrying harmful files relating to Ukrainian troop movements. 

According to Recorded Future's Insikt Group, the group was observed in December employing Cloudflare Tunnels — a service that helps mask the true location of servers or infrastructure — to infect targets with proprietary GammaDrop malware while remaining undetected. Earlier last year, two FSB-affiliated hackers were convicted in absentia to 15 years in prison in Ukraine for cyberattacks on governmental institutions. The pair is reportedly linked to Gamaredon.
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User Security
Android devices Fraudulent Sites Malicious Campaign malware SpyNote User Security

SpyNote Malware Targets Android Users with Fraudulent Google Play Pages

 

The notorious SpyNote malware is making a comeback thanks to a novel campaign. This remote access trojan has many malicious features and is also quite challenging to remove from an infected Android smartphone.

According to security researchers, this time it is being spread through fake websites hosted on recently registered domains; the sites in question imitate Google Play Store app pages with incredibly accurate detail in order to deceive users into downloading infected files rather than the apps they're looking for.

The fraudulent sites include comprehensive details such as image carousels with screenshots of the supposed programs in issue, install buttons, and code traces, all of which are common visual aspects used to create an illusion of legitimacy. 

When a user clicks on the install button on one of these fake sites, JavaScript code is run, resulting in the download of a malicious APK file. This dropper APK calls a function to launch a second, embedded APK. This secondary payload contains the malware's basic functionality and allows it to communicate with the threat actors' command and control (C2) servers via hardcoded IP addresses and ports.

SpyNote can support both dynamic and hardcoded connections since the command-and-control parameters are incorporated in its DEX files. Additionally, the DNS settings and SSL certificates indicate that these malicious websites were deployed in a methodical and automated manner, which suggests that someone with access to a malware-as-a-service tool created them. 

SpyNote is a particularly malicious piece of malware because of its many features and capabilities: it can remotely activate a phone's camera and microphone, intercept text messages, call logs, and contacts; log keystrokes, including credentials and 2FA codes; track your GPS location; record phone calls; download and install apps; remotely wipe or lock devices, and avoid its own removal by abusing Android's accessibility services. 

Aggressive permission requests, which also enable SpyNote to continue operating even after rebooting, are mostly responsible for this. In order to keep running in the background, it can also exempt itself from battery optimisation, conceal its app icon, and relaunch itself immediately after a reboot. According to DomainTools LLC, the internet intelligence firm that uncovered this most recent campaign, a factory reset is frequently the only method to fully eradicate the malware due to its persistent nature.
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TTPs
Browser Vulnerability BYOVD CyberCrime Cybersecurity CyberThreat ESET malware ToddyCat TTPs

ESET Security Tool Vulnerability Facilitates TCESB Malware Deployment



The threat actor "ToddyCat," a Chinese-linked threat actor, is being observed exploiting a vulnerability in ESET security software to spread a newly discovered malware strain known as TCESB, a new strain that has recently been discovered.

In a recent study by cybersecurity company Kaspersky, the group's evolving tactics and expanding arsenal were highlighted in an analysis released by the company. The TCESB software, which consists of a novel addition to ToddyCat's toolkit, has been designed specifically to be able to stealthily execute malicious payloads without being detected by existing monitoring and protection software installed on compromised computers, according to Kaspersky.

The malware's ability to bypass security measures illustrates its sophistication and the calculated approach adopted by its operators. In recent years, TeddyCat has actively participated in several cyber-espionage campaigns primarily targeting Asian organizations, primarily targeting organisations. In at least December 2020, the group began to conduct attacks against high-value entities in the region, and it has gained notoriety for a number of these attacks, including sustained attacks on high-value entities throughout the region. 

The intrusions are believed to be intended to gather intelligence, often by compromising targeted environments for a long time. In a comprehensive report released last year, Kaspersky detailed ToddyCat's extensive use of custom and off-the-shelf tools to establish persistent access within victim networks. As part of the report, the group is also described as exfiltrating large volumes of sensitive information on an industrial scale, from a wide variety of organisations in Asia-Pacific. As part of its operations, the group is also able to exfiltrate large amounts of sensitive information. 

It was ToddyCat's tactic, technique, and procedure (TTPS) that was significantly evolved by exploitation of a security flaw in ESET software to deliver TCESB. There is an increasing trend among advanced persistent threat (APT) actors to exploit software supply chain vulnerabilities and trusted security tools as a way of infiltration by utilising these vectors. It has recently been reported by cybersecurity researchers that a group of advanced persistent threats (APT) known as ToddyCat, which has been attributed to cyber-espionage operations originating in China, has been involved in a disturbing development. 

According to an analysis published by Kaspersky, the threat actor has been exploiting a vulnerability in ESET security software to distribute a newly discovered and previously unknown malware strain dubbed TCESB by exploiting a vulnerability in ESET security software. During this malware, the group has demonstrated significant advances in their offensive capability, and the evolution of its offensive toolkit has been continuous. 

The TCESB malware is notable for its stealthy design, allowing it to execute malicious payloads without being detected by endpoint protection or monitoring software, thus demonstrating how it can accomplish its goals. By deploying it through a legitimate security solution, such as ESET, it underscores how sophisticated and strategically planned its actors are. As well as facilitating deeper penetration into targeted systems, the technique also complicates detection and response efforts by blending malicious activity with otherwise trusted processes, which is one of the most important advantages of this technique. 

ToddyCat has been active since December 2020 and has conducted a variety of targeted intrusions across a wide range of sectors within Asia. According to Kaspersky, the organisation's operations are mostly intelligence-driven, with a particular focus on maintaining access to high-value targets for data exfiltration. Previous reports have demonstrated that the group maintains persistence within compromised environments by using both custom-built and widely available tools. It is important to note that, during their campaigns, they have been perpetrating large-scale data theft, which has been described by researchers as industrial-scale harvesting, primarily from Asian entities.

As ToddyCat's operations have recently changed, it illustrates the broader trend among nation-state threat actors to weaponise trusted software platforms as a method of delivering TCESB, and marks a tactical shift in ToddyCat's operations. As a result of this incident, concerns have been raised regarding vulnerabilities in the software supply chain, as well as the increasingly sophisticated evasion techniques employed by APT actors to maintain access and achieve long-term strategic goals. Following a responsible disclosure procedure, ESET corrected the identified security vulnerability in January 2025. To mitigate the vulnerability that was exploited by ToddyCat to deploy the TCESB malware, the company released a patch to mitigate it. 

The latest security updates for ESET's widely used endpoint protection software are highly recommended for organisations using the system, as they strongly recommend implementing these updates as soon as possible. It remains critical to maintain an effective patch management process to avoid exposure to emerging threats and reduce the risk of compromise by addressing known vulnerabilities. In addition to updating their systems, organisations are advised to implement enhanced monitoring procedures to detect suspicious activity linked to the use of similar tools to detect suspicious activity. 

It is Kaspersky's belief that effective detection depends upon monitoring the events that are associated with the installation of drivers that are known to contain vulnerabilities. Furthermore, organizations should be cautious for instances involving Windows kernel debug symbols being loaded onto endpoints, particularly on endpoints where kernel debugging is not a routine or expected process. An anomaly of this kind could be indicative of a compromise and, therefore, requires immediate investigation to prevent further intrusions or data exfiltration. 

It has been determined that the TCESB malware is based on an open-source tool called EDRSandBlast, a modified variant of the malware. This adaptation incorporates advanced functionalities that are specifically intended to manipulate kernel structures, which are an integral part of the Windows operating system. It is capable of deactivating notification routines, also called callbacks, as part of its primary capabilities.

It is crucial for security and monitoring tools to work properly that these routines allow drivers to be alerted about specific system events, such as the creation of new processes or the modification of registry keys, to the extent that they will be able to be notified about these events. By enabling these callbacks, TCESB effectively makes security solutions unaware of the presence and activity of the compromised system by disabling them. Using the Bring Your Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) technique, TCESB can achieve this degree of control.

In this particular instance, the malware can install a legitimate but vulnerable Dell driver by using the Windows Device Manager interface – DBUtilDrv2.sys. There is a security vulnerability affecting the driver known as CVE-2021-36276 that could allow attackers to execute code with elevated privileges by granting access to the driver. There has been a precedent of Dell drivers being exploited for malicious purposes for years. 

For example, in 2022, a group of North Korean advanced persistent threat actors, known as the Lazarus Group, exploited another Dell driver vulnerability (CVE-2021-21551 in dbutil_2_3.sys) in a similar BYOVD attack to disable security defences and maintain persistence against malware. When the susceptible driver has been successfully deployed to the operating system, TCESB initiates a continuous monitoring loop in which two-second intervals are checked to see if a payload file with a specific name is present in the current working directory. 

Andrey Gunkin, a researcher at Kaspersky, has pointed out that the malware is designed to operate when there is no payload at launch, and that when the malware detects the payload, it deploys an algorithm to decrypt and execute it. While the payload samples themselves were not available during the analysis period, forensic investigation revealed that the payload samples are encrypted with AES-128 and are immediately decoded and executed as soon as they are identified in the specified location, once the AES-128 algorithm has been used. 

Cybersecurity experts recommend vigilant system monitoring practices because the TCESB is so stealthy and technically sophisticated. Organizations need to monitor events related to the installation of drivers that may contain security flaws, as well as the loading of kernel debug symbols by Windows in environments where kernel-level debugging is not commonly used. It is important to investigate and investigate these behaviors immediately as they may indicate that advanced threats are trying to undermine the integrity of the system.

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