Cookie Settings

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to provide essential functionality and improve your experience. Some features, such as demo scheduling and chat support, require marketing cookies to function. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to all cookies. Alternatively, you can customize your preferences, but note that declining marketing cookies will limit certain website features.

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - December 26–29

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - December 26–29 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Dec 29, 2023

The Good

Space missions are sensitive operations. To keep its security measures on the cutting edge, NASA released the Space Security Guide. In the wake of rising attacks in the healthcare sector, the HHS shared four new pointers. Additionally, Pakistan's PTA launched the 2023-2028 Cyber Security Strategy, focusing on telecom sector resilience.

  • NASA released its first Space Security Best Practices Guide, a 57-page document aimed at improving cybersecurity for future space missions. The guide leverages security controls outlined in the NIST’s Special Publication 800-53 and serves as a translation guide between NIST verbiage and NASA flight project language. It aims to enhance cybersecurity not only for NASA's missions but also for its international partners and the growing space industry. The guide provides principles applicable to various organizations and space missions, addressing risks such as cyberattacks on ground systems, communications jamming, and spoofing attempts.

  • The HHS announced new cybersecurity initiatives in response to the significant increase in cyber breaches affecting the healthcare sector. The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reported a 93% rise in large data breaches from 2018 to 2022, with ransomware incidents seeing a 278% increase. The four measures outlined by HHS aim to enhance cybersecurity practices, incentivize their adoption, implement an HHS-wide strategy for enforcement, and expand the support system for the healthcare sector.

  • Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) launches a comprehensive Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2028 to fortify the country's telecom sector against rising cyber threats. Aligned with the National Cyber Security Policy, the five-year plan focuses on risk management, cyber defense, incident response, R&D, and public-private partnerships. It addresses challenges posed by increasing interconnectivity, emphasizing a multi-stakeholder approach for a resilient digital infrastructure.

The Bad

A new ransomware group has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Named DragonForce, the group claimed to attack Ohio Lottery and Yakult Australia and obtain large troves of data from both firms. Xeinadin, Ubisoft, and LoanCare are among the other major victims of the week.

  • Swedish parking app developer EasyPark Group revealed a data breach affecting an unspecified number of its millions of users. While details about the breach remain limited, compromised information includes names, phone numbers, addresses, emails, and partial credit card/IBAN details. EasyPark warned of potential phishing attacks but assured users that the exposed data doesn't pose a risk of unauthorized transactions.

  • The Ohio Lottery faced a cyberattack on Christmas Eve, leading to the shutdown of some key systems. While the gaming system remained operational, certain services, such as mobile cashing, prize cashing above $599 at Super Retailers, and the display of winning numbers for KENO, Lucky One, and EZPLAY Progressive Jackpots, were affected. Again, DragonForce has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they stole data amounting to over 600GB.

  • The LockBit ransomware group targeted the Xeinadin accountancy firm and claims to have stolen 1.5TB of customer data, including all internal databases, customer financials, passports, account balances, client legal information, and more. The ransomware group had given Xeinadin a deadline of December 25 to make contact and prevent the publication of the stolen data.

  • Yakult Australia, the manufacturer of a popular probiotic milk drink, fell victim to a cyber incident, allegedly by the DragonForce group. The group claimed to have pilfered 95GB of data belonging to the company. The leaked data includes company databases, contracts, passports, and other sensitive information. The company's IT systems in both Australia and New Zealand were affected, but operations remain unaffected.

  • Ubisoft investigated a potential data breach after researchers uncovered evidence of unauthorized access to their infrastructure. The threat actor claimed to have accessed Microsoft Teams, Confluence, and SharePoint installs and plans to exfiltrate around 900GB of data stolen from Ubisoft. The breach occurred on December 20 and lasted for about 48 hours.

  • The source code for Grand Theft Auto 5 has reportedly been leaked. This comes more than a year after the Lapsus$ hacking group breached Rockstar Games and stole corporate data. The source code was shared on various platforms, including Discord, a dark web site, and a Telegram channel previously used by the hackers.

  • LoanCare, a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial (FNF), has reported a data breach to state regulators following a cyberattack in November. The breach, claimed by the ALPHV/Blackcat ransomware gang, resulted in unauthorized access to FNF’s IT network. The hackers were able to obtain personal information, including names, addresses, social security numbers, and loan numbers of 1,316,938 individuals.

  • National Amusements, the holding entity for Paramount and CBS, has acknowledged a cybersecurity incident resulting in unauthorized access to the personal data of 82,128 individuals. This security lapse transpired in December 2022, but its discovery was delayed until August 2023. The exact nature of the compromised information remains uncertain, though it could encompass financial details.

  • Over one million patients of Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan were hit by a data breach that exposed their medical information. The breach occurred at HealthEC, a population health management platform that provides services to Corewell Health. The exposed information includes names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, medical record numbers, diagnoses, and other medical information.

  • Oklahoma-based non-profit health network, Integris Health, has confirmed a cyberattack in November that resulted in the theft of patient data. Extortion emails were sent to patients on December 24, 2023, claiming that their personal data, including Social Security Numbers, addresses, and insurance information, had been stolen. The hackers threatened to sell the data unless an extortion demand was paid by the victims. The extortion emails resemble tactics used by the Hunters International ransomware gang.

  • Eagers Automotive, the largest car dealership operator in Australia and New Zealand, was hit by a cyberattack, prompting a temporary stock trading halt. Concerns rose over potential data breach and exposure of sensitive customer information. While expressing regret for any inconvenience caused, Eagers Automotive did not explicitly address the possibility of a data leak. No ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

New Threats

On the malware side, APT28's phishing campaign was found deploying a Python malware called MASEPIE, McAfee uncovered the Xamalicious Android backdoor, and Carbanak added ransomware capability. Whereas, Barracuda's ESG devices were spotted with zero-day flaws.

  • Security researchers from McAfee have discovered a new Android backdoor called Xamalicious, implemented using the Xamarin open-source framework. The malware tries to gain accessibility privileges through social engineering and then communicates with a command-and-control server to download a second-stage payload. This payload can take full control of the infected device and perform fraudulent actions such as clicking on ads and installing apps without the user's consent.

  • The Mallox ransomware group has updated their PowerShell script to bypass anti-virus AMSI detection component, allowing them to execute malicious code without being detected. The script uses a technique developed by a researcher in 2022, which involves patching the Windows Defender registered DLL for AMSI with a shellcode to overwrite the function that scans PowerShell scripts.

  • According to cybersecurity firm NCC Group, Carbanak, a notorious banking malware, has evolved to incorporate ransomware attacks with updated tactics. In recent attacks observed in November 2023, Carbanak was distributed through compromised websites, impersonating various business-related software such as HubSpot, Veeam, and Xero. The malware, initially known for banking fraud, has been utilized by the FIN7 cybercrime syndicate.

  • Barracuda Networks discovered two zero-day vulnerabilities in its Email Security Gateway Appliance (ESG) devices, which were exploited by the China Nexus actor UNC4841. The two vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2023-7102 and CVE-2023-7101, exist in the Spreadsheet::ParseExcel third-party library. Barracuda has issued patches for these flaws to prevent an arbitrary code execution threat.

  • AhnLab analyzed attack campaigns targeting poorly managed Linux SSH servers, shedding light on the tactics employed by threat actors. The attackers use malware loaders like ShellBot, Tsunami, ChinaZ DDoS Bot, and XMRig CoinMiner. The analysis reveals the use of an ID and password list for SSH brute force attacks, with threat actors deploying various tools, including port scanners, banner grabbers, and SSH dictionary attack tools.

  • Ukraine's CERT reported a phishing campaign by the Russian state-sponsored hacking group APT28 (Fancy Bear) delivering new malware. The campaign featured a new Python malware downloader named 'MASEPIE,' which establishes persistence on infected devices, downloads additional malware, and steals data. APT28 also employed PowerShell scripts ('STEELHOOK') for data theft from Chrome-based browsers and a C# backdoor ('OCEANMAP') for stealthy command execution and retrieval.

  • The North Korean group Kimsuky has been observed using spear-phishing attacks to deliver various backdoors and tools, including AppleSeed, Meterpreter, and TinyNuke, to compromise targeted machines. Cybersecurity firm AhnLab attributed the activity to Kimsuky. The group's espionage campaigns involve spear-phishing attacks with malicious lure documents that deploy different malware families, with a notable Windows backdoor being AppleSeed.

  • Cybercriminals breached the fan expansion "Downfall" for the game Slay the Spire, distributing the Epsilon info-stealer malware through the Steam update system. The compromised package was a standalone modified version, not a mod installed via Steam Workshop. The attackers compromised one of the developers' Steam and Discord accounts, allowing them to control the mod's Steam account. The malware collects cookies, saved passwords, credit card details, and more from browsers, as well as Steam and Discord information.

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.