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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 18–22

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 18–22 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Apr 22, 2022

The Good

Governments are realizing that multilateral collaboration, not only among private organizations, but also among different nations is the way to create a secure cyberspace. In this regard, the U.S. is partnering with six other countries to safeguard the cross-border flow of data. Cybercriminals making mistakes and leaving gaps in their malware architecture has always been a good piece of news. Due to this very reason, researchers were able to build a decryptor for the Yanluowang ransomware.

  • The U.S. is partnering with six other countries—Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan—to create privacy and cybersecurity standards for the data that cross over into each other’s borders.

  • A security lapse discovered in the encryption process of the Yanluowang ransomware has enabled researchers to build a decryptor. This decryptor is available for free to the victims who are infected by the ransomware. The ransomware was first spotted in October 2021 and was used in highly targeted attacks against large organizations.

  • U.S Cyber Command allocated over $236 million in the command’s fiscal year 2023 spending request. The funds would augment operational support to each of the Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture components to deliver critical cyber capabilities.

  • Australia’s financial intelligence and regulatory body AUSTRAC released two financial crime guides to aid organizations in detecting and preventing ransomware attacks and the exploitation of digital currencies. The guides assist businesses in identifying if a certain payment is associated with a ransomware attack or if someone is leveraging digital currencies to commit financial frauds.

  • The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) is organizing Locked Shields 2022, an international live-fire cyber defense exercise for the protection of national civilian and military IT systems and critical infrastructure.

The Bad

Do not speak ill of the dead for they may come alive. It’s been almost a year since Emotet was shut down and now, it’s back from its grave and quickly rising to the forefront of the threat landscape via rapidly spreading email scams. Not only Emotet, but we also have another resurrection on our hands this week. REvil’s servers are up on the Tor network and the gang has already listed two fresh victims on its new leak site. New week, new crypto hack. A cyberattack on BeanStalk Farms resulted in the loss of millions worth of cryptocurrency.

  • An attack on a third-party system has disrupted the operations of a Canadian airline company, Sunwing Airlines Inc. The firm disclosed that the third-party system used for check-ins and boarding was breached, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at the airport.

  • The FBI has shared an advisory to warn organizations about the escalating attacks by BlackCat ransomware. The note reveals that the ransomware has targeted at least 60 organizations worldwide between November 2021 and March 2022. Additionally, the operators announced nine new victims as of April 21.

  • Researchers have spotted REvil ransomware’s servers being up in the Tor network after several months of inactivity. A new leak site associated with the ransomware is being promoted on a RuTOR dark web marketplace. The site includes a list of organizations targeted by the ransomware, out of which two are new ones.

  • The FBI has issued an advisory about the potential impact of ransomware attacks on organizations in the Food and Agriculture (FA) sector in the U.S. Two such attacks disrupting the supply of seeds and fertilizers were reported in early 2022.

  • The Unified Government (UG) of Wyandotte County and Kansas City experienced a cyberattack at its data centers. According to the UG, it is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and Mid-America Regional Council cybersecurity task force to restore data services. It is yet to be determined if any data was compromised.

  • Scammers are taking advantage of the ongoing geopolitical war to deceive Ukrainians, as well as people from other nations, into sending donations to the wrong recipients. The scams are being carried out through fake donation sites, fake Red Cross portals, and social media. In one such instance, the scammer known as @Xenta777 on Twitter had asked people to make military equipment-related donations.

  • GitHub reported that threat actors used stolen OAuth user tokens to exfiltrate private data from several organizations. The stolen OAuth tokens were linked to two OAuth integrators, Heroku and Travis-CI. The first intrusion was detected on April 12 after the company’s security team identified unauthorized access to its npm production infrastructure using a compromised AWS API key.

  • BeanStalk Farms, an Ethereum-based stablecoin protocol, suffered a loss of around $182 million following a cyberattack. The attackers got away with around $80 million of crypto tokens by projecting a flash loan on the lending platform Aave, which is used to amass a large amount of Beanstalk’s native governance token, Stalk.

  • Researchers observed that the recent Emotet outbreak is being spread through various malicious Microsoft Office files that come attached with phishing emails. The emails include ‘Re:’ or ‘Fe:’ in the subject line. The attached Excel files and Word documents contain the ‘Enable Content’ button that, if clicked, causes the download of malicious macros.

  • Several instances of IRS tax scams targeting users in the U.S were reported recently. In one incident, threat actors used phishing emails that appeared to come from the IRS to warn the recipients about the last date for filing the tax and asked them to complete the tax filing by clicking on malicious attachments. In some cases, the cybercriminals also impersonated federal agencies such as DHS to warn victims about overdue payments to the IRS, which should be paid via a link that redirects them to a fake PayPal site.

New Threats

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, the latter has had no respite from cyberattacks. The Russia-linked Gamaredon group is now launching targeted attacks using four new malware variants. Threat actors are back at spreading malware via fake Windows updates. They are propagating the 'Inno Stealer' malware through SEO poisoning tactics. There’s a new location in the cyber underground, named Industrial Spy, for the sale of stolen enterprise data.

  • A Hive ransomware affiliate has been found exploiting the ProxyShell vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange servers to deploy various backdoors, including the Cobalt Strike Beacon. Once the threat actors perform reconnaissance, they steal admin account credentials, exfiltrate valuable data, and deploy the ransomware in the final stage.
  • Over 400 samples of Ginzo stealer have appeared since it was first discovered on March 24, 2022. The malware is available for free on underground forums. The attackers have also set up a Telegram channel to sell the stealer. The malware is capable of harvesting data like screenshots, credentials, cookies, and telegram credentials. It can also steal cryptocurrency wallets and system information.
  • Russian state-sponsored threat actor group known as Gamaredon has been found targeting Ukrainians with four new variants of the Pteredo backdoor, also tracked as Pteranodon. All the four variants were observed using obfuscated VBS droppers that add Scheduled Tasks and then fetch additional modules from the C2 server. It should be noted that the Pteredo backdoor is still under active development.
  • In an attempt to spread the new Inno Stealer malware, threat actors are leveraging SEO poisoning tactics to promote fake Windows 11 updates. The malware is capable of stealing browser data and cryptocurrency wallets. According to researchers, the malware is written in Delphi and removes security solutions from Emisoft and ESET from the victim’s system.
  • Security researchers have found a connection between Conti ransomware and the recently emerged Karakurt data extortion group. The intelligence team has managed to connect the dots by obtaining remote access to multiple servers that are actively being used as C2 communication systems by threat actors. Since its inception in December 2021, the Karakurt group has claimed more than 40 victims across the globe.
  • A new variant of BotenaGo botnet is stealthily targeting a pool of IoT devices, including the Lilin security camera DVR devices. The variant derives its code from the source code of the original botnet that was leaked in October 2021.
  • A new zero-click flaw identified in iOS systems has been exploited to propagate Pegasus or Candiru spyware. At least 65 individuals have been targeted in the attack, including members of the European Parliament, Catalan presidents, legislators, and civil society organizations. The flaw affects various versions of the operating system prior to iOS 13.2 and was exploited using an exploit kit called HOMAGE.
  • Threat actors have launched a new marketplace called Industrial Spy that sells stolen data from breached companies. While the premium stolen datasets are priced at millions of dollars, lower-tier data are sold for as little as $2. The marketplace also offers free stolen data packs in a bid to attract more threat actors to use the site.
  • The New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) warned T-Mobile customers against a new SMS phishing campaign that sends users malicious links using unblockable texts.
  • Avast has published a technical report on a newly found malware, dubbed Certishell, that is targeting Czech and Slovak users exclusively. The malware contains modules for remote access, cryptomining, and even ransomware. It is being distributed via pirated copies of movies and songs, cracked software, and keygens of games and common tools.
  • Operators of the LemonDuck botnet are back in a new cryptocurrency mining campaign. The attackers take advantage of misconfigured Docker API on the Linux platform to launch malicious payloads. The campaign is currently active.
  • A new report reveals that the recently discovered Nokoyawa ransomware is a variant of Nemt ransomware. Researchers came to the conclusion after assessing the encryption technique, ransom note, and C2 servers used by both ransomware.

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.