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Cyware Weekly Cyber Threat Intelligence June 11 - June 15, 2018

Cyware Weekly Cyber Threat Intelligence June 11 - June 15, 2018 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Jun 18, 2018

The Good

As Friday comes around again, it’s time to round-up the latest in cybersecurity news this week. Major advancements were made by governments and researchers towards bettering security and safeguarding of digital systems and data. Australia formed a task force to protect elections against cyberattacks, while Canada unveiled a new national cybersecurity strategy. US lawmakers introduced the ENCRYPT bill. Meanwhile, researchers developed a transmitter to protect IoT devices.

  • Australia formed a new Electoral Integrity Task Force to safeguard its election process against cyberattacks. The task force’s spokesperson described the task force as a “precautionary measure, which in the age of increasing levels of cyber-enabled interference and disruption, will need to become the norm.” The announcement comes just weeks before the five federal by-elections, slated to be held next month.

  • Canada unveiled its new cybersecurity strategy to bolster its defenses and protect the country and its citizens against evolving threats. Backed by an investment of CA $500 million to be spent over the next five years, the plan includes the establishment of a new cybersecurity center, a certification program for small businesses to escalate their defense systems and more.

  • US lawmakers reintroduced the “Ensuring National Constitutional Rights for Your Private Telecommunications” bill to create a national standard for encryption. The ENCRYPT act aims to regulate data encryption rules across the country and prevent states from passing their own laws that undermine encryption or similar technologies.

  • The FBI arrested 74 scammers in a massive global business email compromise (BEC) crackdown that involved attempts to steal data and funds from individuals and businesses. Thanks to a six-month long global operation named Operation Wire Wire, 42 scammers were arrested in the US, 29 in Nigeria and 3 in Canada, Poland and Mauritius.

  • MIT researchers developed a novel “frequency-hopping” transmitter to help protect IoT devices against hackers. The transmitter frequency hops every individual 1 or 0 bit of a data packet that a device sends out to a unique, random frequency. This is done every microsecond, thus preventing attackers from intercepting or manipulating the data.

The Bad

This week saw a fresh trove of breaches and cyberattacks. Dixons Carphone disclosed a data breach affecting 59 million customers while Weight Watchers exposed its internal IT infrastructure on an unprotected server. A Chilean bank was hit with a disk-wiping malware. Chinese hackers stole undersea warfare data from a US Navy contractor, while La Liga app was caught using smartphones to detect illegal football broadcasts.

  • Dixons Carphone disclosed a massive data breach that compromised 5.9 million customer cards and 1.2 million personal records. The electronics retailer said it discovered the breach following a review of its systems and data. Although 5.8 million of the cards compromised have chip and pin protection, 105,000 payments from outside the EU do not and were thus compromised.

  • Banco de Chile was hit with a disk-wiping malware in an attempted SWIFT attack that crashed over 500 servers and 9000 computers. Images shared by the bank’s employees on online forums indicated the malware used in the attack was KillDisk. The bank said the attack was designed to damage its systems and not compromise user accounts.

  • Chinese hackers reportedly swiped about 614GB worth of sensitive undersea warfare data from a US Navy contractor. The Washington Post reported the stolen data included secret plans regarding a US project to build a supersonic anti-ship missile, signals and sensor data, submarine radio room information, documents on electronic warfare and more.

  • Weight Watchers accidentally exposed sensitive data about its IT infrastructure on a Kubernetes server without any password protection. Kromtech researchers found the server contained administrator’s root access, keys for 102 domains, data of users with administrative credentials and more. The company fixed the issue after the researchers notified them.

  • Spanish football league La Liga’s app was caught using fans’ smartphone mics and GPS to identify pirate broadcasts of football games. The app could quietly detect the location of users to see if they were in a bar and record audio clips to find out if the establishment had paid for a license to show the match. The league later justified its actions saying illegal streaming costs it millions in losses, but noted users are required to provide their consent for the functionality and can revoke it at any time.

New Threats

Among this week’s batch of malware, ransomware and malicious tools were the RedEye ransomware that destroys victims’ files if they don't pay up. IQY files are used to deliver the FlawedAmmyy RAT. Many Android devices are being shipped with debug ports exposed while the MysteryBot malware was spotted.

  • Malware researcher Bart Blaze spotted the new RedEye ransomware that destroys victims’ files if they fail to pay up. Believed to be created by iCoreX, the ransomware asks victims to pay 0.1 Bitcoin within four days. The ransom note gives users four options including decrypting files, getting support or destroying the PC. Selecting the latter reboots the machine and replaces the Master Boot Record.
  • Barkly researchers found the Necurs botnet is powering a new spam campaign that uses Excel Web Query (IQY) file attachments to bypass antivirus programs and deliver the remote access trojan FlawedAmmyy. Built from the leaked source code of the remote desktop software Ammyy Admit, the RAT has been previously linked to the threat actor TA505.
  • Thousands of Android devices are still being shipped with Android Debug Bridge enabled, potentially leaving them vulnerable to hackers. The flaw leaves the device open to remote connections via the ADB interface that could be used to install malicious software or execute functions. Devices left vulnerable due to this flaw include tankers in the US, DVRs in Hong Kong, mobile phones in South Korea and Android TV devices.
  • ThreatFabric researchers spotted a new Android malware dubbed MysteryBot that comes with banking malware, keylogger and ransomware features. It also features data-stealing abilities to harvest SMS messages, email, contacts and more. Researchers believe MysteryBot is a new variant of LokiBot or an entirely new malware created by the same threat actors.

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.