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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - August 16–20

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - April 25–29 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing • Aug 20, 2021

The Good

The weekend is almost here and it is time to go over some of the positive developments from cyberspace this week. The CISA published much-valued guidelines for organizations on how to respond to a ransomware attack. The guideline also comes with recommendations for how to stay safe from ransomware attacks. The World Bank launched a new cybersecurity fund under its broader digital development umbrella program.

  • Facebook rolled out end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls on Messenger. It also updated its expiring message feature that lets users auto-delete their texts from chats.

  • The World Bank launched a new Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund under the broader Digital Development Partnership umbrella program.

  • GitHub urged its users to enable 2FA after enforcing passwordless authentication.

  • The CISA issued a new resource guide that provides organizations guidance for how to respond to a ransomware attack.

  • The DHS is funding a program led by Cyber.org to bridge the infosec gap by teaching young children about cybersecurity. A framework of standards has been released, which details what needs to be taught to children until 12th grade.

The Bad

This year has witnessed one big breach after another. While we are still trying to recover from some of the most recent cyberattacks, T-Mobile fell prey to one. This breach is something that we cannot ignore as the hackers claim to have accessed over 50 million records. While we are on the topic of data breaches, it comes as a shock that the U.S. Census Bureau was the victim of a cyberattack last year. Time and again, malicious apps have found their way into Google Play Store. This time, eight fake cryptomining apps were removed from the app store.

  • Hackers robbed Liquid Global of crypto-assets worth at least $90 million from warm wallets. The firm has published cryptocurrency addresses from which the criminals exfiltrated their funds.

  • Abnormal Security identified and blocked some emails from a hacker who attempted to recruit insiders to infect their employers’ networks with ransomware. The threat actor allegedly has ties with the DemonWare group.

  • Servers of the U.S. Census Bureau were breached in a cyberattack last year. Luckily, it didn't involve the 2020 census. Officials said the bureau failed to detect and disclose the attack on time.

  • Kiber Partizany (Cyber Partisan), a secretive hacking group, claimed to have accessed heaps of confidential data, including phone calls from supporters and opponents, from a ministry network of the Belarus government.

  • Continued investigation of the T-Mobile breach revealed that over 40 million records of former or prospective customers were stolen, along with the personal data of about 7.8 million current postpaid customers. The same threat actor is selling 70 million AT&T user records containing full names, email addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers.

  • New botnet HolesWarm has been abusing over 20 known vulnerabilities on Windows and Linux servers to deploy cryptomining malware since June, according to Tencent Security.

  • Patient care services at Memorial Health System were disrupted owing to a ransomware attack by the Hive group. Clinical and financial operations also suffered.

  • According to Check Point Research, the Indra APT group was behind crippling Iran’s transport ministry and national train system in a cyberattack last month.

  • Google kicked out eight fraudulent apps from its Play Store. The fake cryptomining apps were laced with the FakeMinerPay and FakeMinerAd malware.

New Threats

Seems that the Conti gang has embraced adversity and is taking advantage of the leak of its training materials. How? Read along. A critical new threat has been demonstrated by security researchers which can result in massive DDoS attacks that are orders of magnitude larger than the status quo. In other news, the BadAlloc flaws are here to rock the boat again, as federal authorities issued a warning.

  • A new malware campaign is distributing njRAT and AsyncRAT and targeting travel and hospitality facilities in Latin America. Techniques used in this campaign bear a resemblance to those of the Aggah group.
  • Conti ransomware affiliates have resorted to an interesting tactic, which involves using the legitimate Atera remote access software is being used as a backdoor for continued persistence.
  • InkySquid, a North Korean APT group, ensnared one of the top North Korea-focused news sites, the Daily NK, to launch a watering hole attack and infect visitors with malware.
  • The CISA and FDA warned against BadAlloc security flaws in BlackBerry’s QNX RTOS used by critical infrastructure organizations, including healthcare, aerospace and defense, and industrial networks.
  • The new version of the Neurevt trojan comes with spyware and backdoor features. The version of the trojan targets Mexican financial institutions.
  • Experts at The DFIR Report revealed that Trickbot is deploying a fake 1Password installer to sniff around compromised systems and launching Cobalt Strike to collect data.
  • The Mozi botnet came up with a new version that can manipulate victims’ web traffic. It is capable of HTTP session hijacking and DNS spoofing.
  • Cybercriminals are increasingly deploying CAPTCHA-protected malicious URLs to bypass security walls while adding counterfeit login for lottery and survey pages, according to researchers at Palo Alto Networks.
  • New research explains how firewalls and other network middleboxes can be exploited by cybercriminals to launch massive TCP-based DDoS reflection amplification attacks.

Related Threat Briefings

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.

Nov 15, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - November 11–15

As cyber threats to critical infrastructure surge, the TSA has proposed formal rules for pipeline and railroad operators, while the World Economic Forum introduced a new framework to enhance public-private collaboration against cybercrime. These efforts highlight the urgency of uniting resources and governance to fortify cybersecurity resilience on all fronts. This week, several emerging threats highlighted the diversity of attack tactics. The new Glove Stealer exploits browser encryption to pilfer cookies and crypto wallets, whereas the Lazarus group’s RustyAttr trojan targets macOS users using the Tauri framework. A Chinese threat actor, SilkSpecter, was found scamming online shoppers via 4,695 fake domains, impersonating popular brands to steal credit card details during Black Friday hunts. This week, several emerging threats highlighted the diversity of attack tactics. The new Glove Stealer exploits browser encryption to pilfer cookies and crypto wallets, whereas the Lazarus group’s RustyAttr trojan targets macOS users using the Tauri framework. A Chinese threat actor, SilkSpecter, was found scamming online shoppers via 4,695 fake domains, impersonating popular brands to steal credit card details during Black Friday hunts.

Sep 20, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - September 16–20

The Good German law enforcement has dealt a double blow to cybercriminals, first by dismantling infrastructure used by the Vanir Locker ransomware group. In a separate operation, they took down 47 cryptocurrency exchanges used for illegal money

Sep 13, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - September 09–13

The Good The U.K government has elevated data centers to a new level of importance, officially designating them as critical national infrastructure - ensuring these digital fortresses get the protection and support they need during crises. Choo

Sep 6, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - September 02–06

The Good As cyber threats loom larger than ever, the White House released a comprehensive roadmap to secure the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), a key component of internet routing. The initiative focuses on implementing Resource Public Key Infra

Aug 30, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - August 26–30

The Good In response to the rising tide of cyber threats, organizations and governments are stepping up their efforts to protect critical infrastructure and personal data. NASA's Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility expanded its mission to include c

Aug 23, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - August 19–23

The Good With global cyber threats on the rise, over a dozen cyber authorities have endorsed new guidance to set baseline standards for logging and threat detection. This guidance aims to enhance cybersecurity monitoring, helping to prevent inc

Aug 16, 2024

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - August 12–16

The Good In a landmark move, the UN has unanimously passed its first-ever cybercrime treaty, laying the groundwork for a unified global response to cyber threats. This historic treaty, now headed to the General Assembly for final approval, empo