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Cyware Weekly Cyber Threat Intelligence December 17 - 21, 2018

Cyware Weekly Cyber Threat Intelligence December 17 - 21, 2018 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Dec 21, 2018

The Good

With Christmas around the corner, let’s gear up for the festive weekend with the most interesting cybersecurity news of the week. Let’s first take a look at all the good events that occurred in the past week. South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Services and SK telecom together have developed an AI to prevent voice phishing attacks. Google engineers are working on blocking the ‘Back button’ hijacking of browser history. Meanwhile, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act has been passed.

  • South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service and SK telecom together develop AI to prevent voice phishing attacks. The Financial Supervisory Services will provide data on financial fraud while the SK telecom will develop an AI system that alerts callers on phishing call.

  • Google is working on blocking the ‘Back button’ hijacking of Chrome browser. Google engineers are currently working on an update that will block malicious websites from hijacking the Chrome browser's history and, indirectly, the Back button.

  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security agency bill has been passed. The bill will replace the National Protection and Programs Directorate with the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The White House has agreed to a Senate version of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) without opposition.

The Bad

Over the past week, several data breaches and massive cyber attacks have occurred. Brazilian IT firm Tivit was hit by a massive cyber attack. Facebook data breach exposed 6.8 million users’ photos. Twitter suffered a data breach and suspects state-sponsored hackers to be behind the attack. Meanwhile, Nasa suffered a data breach affecting its employees’ personal information.

  • A massive cyber attack hit Brazilian IT firm Tivit that exposed its clients' credentials online. Tivit confirmed that nine of its employees fell for an email phishing attack last week. This incident involved data from 19 other companies including Faber, Zurich, Banco Original, SAP and more.

  • Data breach hit Facebook exposing 6.8 million users’ photos. The social networking site has come under fire again for a new API bug leaked private photos of 6.8 million users to third-party apps. The leaked photos were accessible by 1,500 apps built by 876 developers.

  • Twitter suspects state-sponsored threat actors to be behind its recent data breach. The attack targeted one of Twitter’s support forms which the account users use to contact Twitter about the issues they have with their account. Twitter confirmed that the data breach did not expose full phone numbers or any other private data.

  • Hackers hit the University of Vermont Health Network. Elizabethtown Community Hospital suffered a data breach as one of their employee’s email account was remotely accessed by an unauthorized user. The hospital confirmed that the data breach did not involve the hospital’s computer networks or electronic medical records.

  • Government payment portal Click2Gov hit by cyber attack. The payment system in dozens of town across the US got hacked by cybercriminals. Security research firm confirmed that at least 294,929 payment records have been compromised in 46 U.S cities. The criminals have earned approximately $1.7 million by selling the records on the Dark Web for $10 per record.

  • Nasa suffered a data breach affecting its employees’ personal information. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) disclosed that it has suffered a data breach that may have resulted in the compromise of personal information of both current and former employees.

  • Facebook gave Spotify, Netflix, and Royal Bank of Canada read and write access to users’ private messages. The most popular social networking site Facebook is in data-sharing partnership with Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Spotify, Netflix, Royal Bank of Canada, Yahoo, and more.

  • Nine Managed service providers including HPE and IBM targeted in APT10 attacks. The Chinese cyber espionage group APT10 also known as MenuPass, Red Apollo, Stone Panda was accused of hacking a large number of managed service providers including HPE and IBM.

  • Caribou coffee chain suffered a data breach impacting 239 stores. Cybercriminals gained unauthorized access on to the coffee chain’s point of sale (POS) systems as a result of which customers’ data were exposed.

New Threats

Several vulnerabilities, malware, and ransomware were discovered over the past week. Magecart’s card skimming tool was up for sale in the Dark Web. Researchers uncovered computer chip vulnerabilities that could lead to failures in modern electronics. GrandCrab ransomware was spotted using fileless techniques. Shamoon malware returns with a new variant. New malware built for SEO injection spotted targeting WordPress. Meanwhile, Microsoft releases an emergency patch for zero-day in Internet Explorer.

  • Malware and weaponized memes are the latest threat in cyberspace. Cybercriminals are combining memes with malware to conduct various malicious activities. Hackers have been spotted using steganography to embed malicious payloads within memes to bypass security solutions and perform various malicious activities.
  • Magecart’s card skimming tool was up for sale in the Dark Web for $1300. Magecart’s card skimming tool, which was used to hack British Airways and Ticketmaster, is now available for sale on a dark web forum. The tool consists of two components - a standard universal payment card sniffer and a control panel.
  • PewDiePie supporters hack 50,000 printers to highlight vulnerabilities in the printers. A hacker said that due to the flaws in a printer’s firmware, it was possible to write random data onto to the chip. The vulnerabilities can allow hackers to steal sensitive documents as they get printed.
  • Vulnerabilities in high?performance computer chips have been uncovered by researchers that could lead to failures in modern electronics. The vulnerabilities could damage the on-chip communications system and shorten the lifetime of the whole computer chip by adding malicious workload.
  • GrandCrab ransomware was spotted using fileless techniques. Fileless ransomware attacks operate by taking default Windows tools, particularly PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), and using them for malicious activities.
  • Shamoon malware returns with a new variant. Earlier last week, the disk-wiper malware was spotted back in action, with not just one, but two occurrences. The second sighting observed a different strain of the malware and was uploaded to VirusTotal on December 13, 2018, from a user in the Netherlands.
  • Mash-up toolkit is made up of leaked source code of backdoors and publicly available tools GhOst Rat and NetBot attacker. The toolkit also contained parts of the Remote Control System (RCS) surveillance tool.
  • A new malware designed for SEO injection has been found targeting WordPress sites. The malware uses an innovative approach to evade detection by web admins. The malware is found targeting two different sites used by English and Korean-speaking searchers for ‘free’ downloads.
  • Microsoft releases an emergency patch for zero-day in Internet Explorer. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain control of the target system, install malicious programs, create other user accounts, and read or modify data.
  • One more Mirai IoT botnet variant discovered. Researchers discovered a new Mirai malware variant called Miori which exploits an RCE bug in the ThinkPHP framework. Miori performs a brute force attack via Telnet to infect IoT devices with weak or default authentication to join them to a DDoS botnet.

Related Threat Briefings

Feb 14, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 10–14, 2025

Cyber defenders are sharpening their tools, and EARLYCROW is the latest weapon against stealthy APT operations. This method detects C2 activity over HTTP(S) using a novel traffic analysis format called PAIRFLOW. India is taking digital banking security up a notch. The RBI is launching a dedicated domain to curb financial fraud and enhance trust in online banking. Starting April 2025, financial institutions will register under this domain. China’s RedMike hackers are dialing into telecom networks - literally. Between December 2024 and January 2025, they targeted over 1,000 unpatched Cisco devices. Their primary focus? Global telecoms and university networks in Argentina, Bangladesh, and the U.S. Russia’s Sandworm hackers are using pirated software as bait. Their latest attack on Ukrainian Windows users disguises malware inside trojanized KMS activators and fake Windows updates. Love is in the air, but so are phishing scams. In late January, cybercriminals launched a Valentine’s-themed phishing campaign, offering fake gift baskets in exchange for stolen credentials. Cybercriminals are upping their game with Astaroth, a phishing kit that doesn’t just steal credentials but also hijacks entire sessions. By using a reverse proxy, Astaroth intercepts logins and 2FA tokens in real time, allowing attackers to bypass security measures undetected. South America’s foreign ministry was caught in the crosshairs of an advanced cyber-espionage campaign. In November 2024, attackers linked to REF7707 deployed the PATHLOADER and FINALDRAFT malware to infiltrate diplomatic networks. A new malware named Ratatouille is stirring up trouble by bypassing UAC and using I2P for anonymous communications. Spreading through phishing emails and fake CAPTCHA pages, it tricks victims into running an embedded PowerShell script.

Feb 7, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 03–07, 2025

PyPI is taking a "dead but not gone" approach to abandoned software with Project Archival, a new system that flags inactive projects while keeping them accessible. Developers will see warnings about outdated dependencies, helping them make smarter security choices and avoid relying on unmaintained code. The U.K is bringing earthquake-style metrics to cybersecurity with its new Cyber Monitoring Centre, designed to track digital disasters as precisely as natural ones. Inspired by the Richter scale, the CMC will quantify cyber incidents based on financial impact and affected users, offering clearer insights for national security planning. Kimsuky is back with another phishing trick, this time using fake Office and PDF files to sneak forceCopy malware onto victims' systems. Its latest campaign delivers PEBBLEDASH and RDP Wrapper by disguising malware as harmless shortcuts, ultimately hijacking browser credentials and sensitive data. Hackers have found a new way to skim credit card data - by hiding malware inside Google Tag Manager scripts. CISA is flagging major security holes in Microsoft Outlook and Sophos XG Firewall, urging agencies to patch them before February 27. One flaw allows remote code execution in Outlook, while another exposes firewall users to serious risks. Bitcoin scammers are switching tactics, swapping static images for video attachments in MMS to make their schemes more convincing. A recent case involved a tiny .3gp video luring victims into WhatsApp groups where scammers apply pressure to extract money or personal data. XE Group has shifted from credit card skimming to zero-day exploitation, now targeting manufacturing and distribution companies. A new version of ValleyRAT is making the rounds, using stealthy techniques to infiltrate systems. Morphisec found the malware being spread through fake Chrome downloads from a fraudulent Chinese telecom site.

Jan 10, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, January 06–10, 2025

The U.K is fortifying its digital defenses with the launch of Cyber Local, a £1.9 million initiative to bridge cyber skills gaps and secure the digital economy. Spanning 30 projects across England and Northern Ireland, the scheme emphasizes local business resilience, neurodiverse talent, and cybersecurity careers for youth. Across the Atlantic, the White House introduced the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, a consumer-friendly cybersecurity labeling program for smart devices. Overseen by the FCC, the initiative tests products like baby monitors and security systems for compliance with rigorous cybersecurity standards, ensuring Americans can make safer choices for their connected homes. China-linked threat actor RedDelta has ramped up its cyber-espionage activities across Asia, targeting nations such as Mongolia, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Vietnam with a modified PlugX backdoor. Cybercriminals have weaponized trust by deploying a fake PoC exploit tied to a patched Microsoft Windows LDAP vulnerability. CrowdStrike reported a phishing operation impersonating the company, using fake job offers to lure victims into downloading a fraudulent CRM application. Once installed, the malware deploys a Monero cryptocurrency miner. A new Mirai-based botnet, dubbed Gayfemboy, has emerged as a formidable threat, leveraging zero-day exploits in industrial routers and smart home devices. With 15,000 active bot nodes daily across China, the U.S., and Russia, the botnet executes high-intensity DDoS attacks exceeding 100 Gbps. In the Middle East, fraudsters are posing as government officials in a social engineering scheme targeting disgruntled customers. Cybercriminals have weaponized WordPress with a malicious plugin named PhishWP to create realistic fake payment pages mimicking services like Stripe. The plugin not only captures payment details in real time but also sends fake confirmation emails to delay detection.

Dec 20, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, December 16–20, 2024

In a digital age where borders are blurred, governments are sharpening their strategies to outpace cyber adversaries. The draft update to the National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP) introduces a comprehensive framework for managing nationwide cyberattacks that impact critical infrastructure and the economy. Meanwhile, the fiscal year 2025 defense policy bill, recently approved by the Senate, emphasizes strengthening cybersecurity measures both at home and abroad. A deceptive health app on the Amazon Appstore turned out to be a Trojan horse for spyware. Masquerading as BMI CalculationVsn, the app recorded device screens, intercepted SMS messages, and scanned for installed apps to steal sensitive data. Malicious extensions targeting developers and cryptocurrency projects have infiltrated the VSCode marketplace and NPM. Disguised as productivity tools, these extensions employed downloader functionality to deliver obfuscated PowerShell payloads. The BADBOX botnet has resurfaced, compromising over 192,000 Android devices, including high-end smartphones and smart TVs, directly from the supply chain. Industrial control systems are facing heightened risks as malware like Ramnit and Chaya_003 targets engineering workstations from Mitsubishi and Siemens. Both malware families exploit legitimate services, complicating detection and mitigation efforts in ICS environments. The Chinese hacking group Winnti has been leveraging a PHP backdoor called Glutton, targeting organizations in China and the U.S. This modular ELF-based malware facilitates tailored attacks across industries and even embeds itself into software packages to compromise other cybercriminals. A tax-themed phishing campaign, dubbed FLUX#CONSOLE, is deploying backdoor payloads to compromise systems in Pakistan. Threat actors employ phishing emails with double-extension files masquerading as PDFs.

Dec 13, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, December 09–13, 2024

Cybercrime’s web of deception unraveled in South Korea as authorities dismantled a fraud network responsible for extorting $6.3 million through fake online trading platforms. Dubbed Operation Midas, the effort led to the arrest of 32 individuals and the seizure of 20 servers. In a significant move to combat surveillance abuses, the U.S. defense policy bill for 2025 introduced measures to shield military and diplomatic personnel from commercial spyware threats. The legislation calls for stringent cybersecurity standards, a review of spyware incidents, and regular reporting to Congress. The subtle art of deception found a new stage with a Microsoft Teams call, as attackers used social engineering to manipulate victims into granting remote access. By convincing users to install AnyDesk, they gained control of systems, executing commands to download the DarkGate malware. Russian APT Secret Blizzard has resurfaced and used the Amadey bot to infiltrate Ukrainian military devices and deploy their Tavdig backdoor. In a phishing spree dubbed "Aggressive Inventory Zombies (AIZ)," scammers impersonated brands like Etsy, Amazon, and Binance to target retail and crypto audiences. Surveillance has reached unsettling new depths with the discovery of BoneSpy and PlainGnome, two spyware families linked to the Russian group Gamaredon. Designed for extensive espionage, these Android malware tools track GPS, capture audio, and harvest data. A new Android banking trojan has already caused havoc among Indian users, masquerading as utility and banking apps to steal sensitive financial information. With 419 devices compromised, the malware intercepts SMS messages, exfiltrates personal data via Supabase, and even tricks victims into entering details under the pretense of bill payment. Iranian threat actors have set their sights on critical infrastructure, deploying IOCONTROL malware to infiltrate IoT and OT/SCADA systems in Israel and the U.S.

Dec 6, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, December 02–06, 2024

NIST sharpened the tools for organizations to measure their cybersecurity readiness, addressing both technical and leadership challenges. The two-volume guidance blends data-driven assessments with managerial insights, emphasizing the critical role of leadership in applying findings. The Manson Market, a notorious hub for phishing networks, fell in a sweeping Europol-led takedown. With over 50 servers seized and 200TB of stolen data recovered, the operation spanned multiple countries, including Germany and Austria. Russian APT group BlueAlpha leveraged Cloudflare Tunnels to cloak its GammaDrop malware campaign from prying eyes. The group deployed HTML smuggling and DNS fast-fluxing to bypass detection, targeting Ukrainian organizations with precision. Earth Minotaur intensified its surveillance operations against Tibetan and Uyghur communities through the MOONSHINE exploit kit. The kit, now updated with newer exploits, enables the installation of the DarkNimbus backdoor on Android and Windows devices. Cloudflare Pages became an unwitting ally in the sharp rise of phishing campaigns, with a staggering 198% increase in abuse cases. Cybercriminals exploited the platform's infrastructure to host malicious pages, fueling a surge from 460 incidents in 2023 to over 1,370 by October 2024. DroidBot has quietly infiltrated over 77 cryptocurrency exchanges and banking apps, building a web of theft across Europe. Active since June 2024, this Android malware operates as a MaaS platform, enabling affiliates to tailor attacks. Rockstar 2FA, a phishing platform targeting Microsoft 365 users, has set the stage for large-scale credential theft. With over 5,000 phishing domains launched, the platform is marketed on Telegram. The Gafgyt malware is shifting gears, targeting exposed Docker Remote API servers through legitimate Docker images, creating botnets capable of launching DDoS attacks.