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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 01–05

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 01–05 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Apr 5, 2024

Another year-long effort materializes for CISA with the introduction of a webpage that provides specific cybersecurity resources for vulnerable groups, such as journalists and human-right defenders, to combat cyber threats effectively.

A new wave of malware attacks sparked concerns among cybersecurity experts worldwide this week. The list includes the likes of JsOutProx, UNAPIMON, Red CryptoApp, and others. Additionally, Vultur, an Android banking trojan was observed masquerading as an authenticator and productivity apps on Google Play. Also, criminals are back with pirated video game lures on YouTube, targeting home users lacking enterprise-grade security to steal sensitive data.

The Good

  • The CISA introduced a dedicated High-Risk Communities webpage aimed at providing cybersecurity resources for high-risk communities, including activists, journalists, and human rights defenders. The initiative offers tailored guidance and tools to mitigate cyber threats, recognizing the increased risk these groups face. Resources include Project Upskill, offering "how-to" guides for non-technical individuals, information on local cyber volunteer programs, and a repository of free or discounted cybersecurity tools.

The Bad

  • Visa warned about a surge in detections of a new variant of JsOutProx malware targeting financial institutions in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The malware enables attackers to execute various malicious activities, including command execution, payload downloads, and keyboard/mouse control. The phishing campaign associated with JsOutProx involves fake financial notifications sent via email, with malicious .js files hosted on GitLab.
  • Netenrich researchers have identified a new ransomware group called Red CryptoApp, employing a unique tactic of publicly shaming victims on a "wall of shame" to coerce ransom payments. While the origins of operators are still unclear, experts underlined similarities with the Maze ransomware group. The ransomware targets various industries globally, with a primary focus on the U.S.
  • Sansec reported that threat actors are exploiting a critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-20720) in unpatched Magento sites, allowing them to inject a persistent backdoor into e-commerce websites. The backdoor, added to the CMS controller, ensures periodic reinjection, enabling persistent remote code execution. The exploit facilitates the deployment of a fake Stripe payment skimmer, targeting payment data.
  • Proofpoint warned users of a new campaign deceiving them into clicking on malicious links in YouTube video descriptions. Info-stealer malware, including Vidar, StealC, and Lumma Stealer, are being delivered disguised as pirated software and video game cracks alongside legitimate content. Popular games, especially those appealing to children, are used as lures, indicating a focus on less savvy users. YouTube has removed over two dozen accounts and videos flagged by Proofpoint.
  • Cyber espionage group Earth Freybug (aka APT41) recently launched a phishing campaign utilizing a new malware called UNAPIMON. The attack, reminiscent of previous campaigns, targeted various sectors across several countries. UNAPIMON, detected in the attack flow, utilizes DLL hijacking and API unhooking techniques to evade detection. The malware, deployed through batch files and service manipulation, prevents child processes from being monitored, allowing malicious activity to go undetected.
  • Swiss IT security assessment firm Pentagrid uncovered a security flaw in self check-in kiosks at Ibis Budget hotels across Europe, potentially exposing keypad access codes for room entry. Discovered in late 2023, the flaw allowed access to room numbers and keypad codes by entering dashes instead of booking IDs. While the vulnerability required physical access to the kiosk, it posed a risk for theft and raised concerns over the security of low-budget hotel rooms without safes.
  • Google released patches for 28 vulnerabilities in Android, with 25 affecting Pixel devices. This also included two exploited flaws in Pixel's bootloader and firmware. The company warns of targeted exploitation but doesn't provide specific details. The update addresses various vulnerabilities leading to the elevation of privilege and information disclosure issues, along with fixes for Qualcomm components. The most severe issue, CVE-2024-23704, affects Android 13 and 14.
  • A critical security vulnerability (CVE-2024-2879) was identified in WordPress's LayerSlider plugin (a visual web content editor), affecting versions 7.9.11 through 7.10.0. This SQL injection flaw, with a CVSS score of 9.8, allowed unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive information, including password hashes, from databases. The issue has been addressed in version 7.10.1, released on March 27.
  • The Vultur Android banking trojan made a comeback with upgraded capabilities and improved evasion techniques, allowing attackers to control mobile devices and extract sensitive information remotely. Distributed via trojanized dropper apps on the Google Play Store, Vultur now encrypts its communication, employs multiple encrypted payloads, and masquerades as legitimate applications. It leverages techniques like TOAD to spread, targeting victims through SMS messages and phone calls.
  • Red Hat issued a warning regarding a backdoor flaw discovered in the xz data compression software library, potentially impacting instances of Fedora Linux 40 and Fedora Rawhide. The backdoor, present in xz versions 5.6.0 and 5.6.1, allows for remote access via OpenSSH and system. Designated as CVE-2024-3094, the vulnerability is rated as critical. While Red Hat assures that Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is unaffected, users of Fedora Linux 40 and Rawhide are advised to cease usage immediately.
  • Cybersecurity firm Wiz identified two critical vulnerabilities within Hugging Face's AI platform, potentially exposing millions of private AI models and apps. The risks involve a shared inference infrastructure takeover and a shared CI/CD takeover, allowing attackers to compromise the platform's integrity. Wiz recommends isolation and segmentation as crucial steps to mitigate such risks for AI-as-a-service providers.

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.