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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - December 12–16

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - December 12–16 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Dec 16, 2022

The Good

The demand for 5G cellular networks for office and home uses has attracted the attention of cybercriminals. Keeping this in mind, the NSA, along with the CISA and ODNI, issued a joint report to provide mitigation strategies that address potential threats to 5G network slicing. In another significant achievement, the DoJ took action against 48 DDoS-for-hire service platforms that were used to launch DDoS attacks worldwide.

  • The U.S. DoJ seized 48 DDoS-for-hire service platforms that allowed anyone to easily launch DDoS attacks. Along with the takedown of stressor/booster sites that included RoyalStresser[.]com, SecurityTeam[.]io, Astrostress[.]com, Booter[.]sx, Ipstressor[.]com, and TrueSecurityServices[.]io, enforcement agencies also arrested six individuals operating these sites.

  • The NSA, the CISA, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) published a joint report to highlight the most plausible threats and mitigation advice associated with 5G network slicing implementations. The mitigation measures include defense and prevention strategies to be implemented by 5G network operators, integrators, and providers.

  • The NSA’s JFAC Hardware Assurance Lab publicly released four cybersecurity technical reports to help the Department of Defense protect FPGA-based systems from adversary attacks.

  • The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) pushed the need to beef up the cybersecurity of OT systems. The CSA noted that as the threat landscape is constantly evolving, every critical information infrastructure (CII) sector should continuously adapt and transform its processes.

The Bad

Owing to the vast troves of patient data stored, healthcare entities remain vulnerable to ransomware attacks. This week, the HHS issued an advisory to help healthcare providers understand the attack scope and mitigation measures for LockBit 3.0 ransomware. In another update, the operators behind LockBit added the California Department of Finance to its list of victims. Furthermore, Uber reported a security breach that occurred due to an intrusion at a third-party vendor. This is the second data breach that the firm has suffered this year and is likely to have impacted the data of over 70,000 employees.

  • This week, the HHS issued an advisory to warn healthcare organizations about LockBit 3.0 attacks. This advisory comes days after the advisory on Royal ransomware attacks against the healthcare sector was released. The latest publication noted that the malware should be considered a threat to the HPH sector due to its historical nature of victimizing the healthcare community.
  • The California Department of Finance confirmed that it suffered a security breach, hours after the LockBit ransomware gang listed the agency as a victim on its dark web leak site. The gang has given time until Christmas eve to avoid the publishing of more than 500GB of stolen files.
  • A successful phishing attack dubbed Meta-Phish resulted in the loss of PII, login credentials, and Facebook profile links. The phishing email redirects victims to an actual Facebook post that contains a link to an external phishing page.
  • A hospital in California’s Riverside County reported a data breach that impacted its patients’ sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and medical information. According to the notice, the hackers had unauthorized access to the data between October 29 and November 10.
  • An unprotected database belonging to Vevor, a California-based online retailer, had leaked over 601.84 GB of data. The database was marked as ‘production’ and contained various types of PII such as first and last names, partial credit card numbers, transaction IDs, refund information, and home address of users.
  • Attackers behind Play ransomware claimed responsibility for recent attacks on the Belgium city of Antwerp. Due to the attack, the city’s IT, email, and phone services were disrupted.
  • The details of more than 70,000 Uber employees have reportedly been leaked online, marking another data breach for the company this year. The incident occurred after a threat actor targeted a third-party software provider, Teqtivity, used by Uber for IT asset management services.
  • Australian telecommunications giant TPG revealed that emails of 15,000 iiNet and Westnet business customers were breached as hackers looked for cryptocurrency and other financial information. Investigation into the incident is underway. However, the breach did not affect mobile or broadband services.
  • Members of the North Korean Kimsuky cyberespionage group have been found impersonating think tank members to reach out to political and foreign affairs analysts. The campaign first started in January and has proven to be successful over time.
  • A subgroup of the Cobalt Mirage threat group targeted a variety of U.S. organizations using a new custom malware named Drokbk. The attackers compromised a VMware Horizon server using Log4j vulnerabilities.

New Threats

Researchers have laid bare recent cyberespionage activities associated with the infamous Charming Kitten APT. It has been found that six subgroups of the APT were involved in 60 attack campaigns launched across different sectors. Meanwhile, the trend of Golang-based malware continues to flourish in the threat landscape. This week, researchers discovered two new Golang malware—GoTrim and Chaos RAT—that enabled their operators to launch a wide range of attacks.

  • A hacking group named MirrorFace was found using a credential stealer named MirrorStealer to target Japanese politicians. The hackers deployed the infostealer along with the LODEINFO backdoor malware, which communicated with a C2 server known to belong to APT10 infrastructure.
  • Threat actors uploaded over 144,000 malicious packages in open-source repositories such as NPM, PyPi, and NuGet. These packages were uploaded using a particular naming scheme that hinted at the use of automation. They linked to over 65,000 phishing pages that promoted fake apps, prize-winning surveys, gift cards, giveaways, and more.
  • Proofpoint tracked six subgroups of the Charming Kitten APT using different infrastructures, and techniques. The group has been associated with the 60 attack campaigns this year, with primary targets including government officials, politicians, medical researchers, and critical infrastructure.
  • Qualys researchers revealed that threat actors such as Turla, Wizard Spider, and Leviathan are actively adopting the Empire C2 framework to launch malicious payloads. These payloads are primarily used against Windows systems.
  • FortiGuard Labs encountered a Golang-based botnet named GoTrim that utilizes a bot network to perform distributed brute-force attacks against WordPress and OpenCart sites. The botnet campaign began in September and is still ongoing.
  • Trend Micro reported a new Go-based malware strain named Chaos RAT used in recent cryptomining attacks against Linux servers. The malware appears to have been open-sourced on GitHub.
  • Hackers were found using HTML smuggling attack techniques to distribute QBot malware onto Windows systems. The malware was encoded in SVG images embedded in HTML email attachments.
  • The cyberespionage group Cloud Atlas has ramped up its activities across Russia, Belarus, and Moldova since the beginning of this year. The primary purpose of the group is to pilfer confidential and intellectual information from targets. The group uses template injection attacks that abuse features in Microsoft Word to deliver malicious payloads to victims.
  • Microsoft tracked a cluster of activity associated with a newly discovered cross-platform botnet dubbed MCCrash. Linked to DEV-1028, the botnet is known for launching DDoS attacks against private Minecraft servers, with a majority of infections recorded in Russia.
  • A malicious stalkerware app called Xnspy was found stealing and leaking data from tens of thousands of iPhones and Android devices. Once installed, the app silently pilfered call records, browsing history, location data, text messages, and photos from victims’ phones.

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.