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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 22 - 26, 2021

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 22 - 26, 2021 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Feb 26, 2021

The Good

Stop what you are doing as I have brought some fresh baked good news for you. We all need hope and optimism in our daily lives and here comes your weekly dose of the same. Android users rejoice as now they get the Password Checkup feature. Researchers invented means to detect hidden cryptomining malware and they are in the search for a partner to bring the solution to the market. Let’s toast to a better cyberplace.

  • Google and the Linux Foundation joined hands to form a plan where the former would fund Linux kernel developers to work entirely on security.

  • The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved the foundation of a new bureau of international cyberspace policy at the State Department as part of the Cyber Diplomacy Act.

  • Ten strategic organizations, including the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, have joined hands to collaborate and enhance cyber-resilience while educating organizations and individuals on cybersecurity.

  • Researchers from the Idaho National Laboratory invented a way to quickly identify hidden cryptomining malware.

  • The Password Checkup feature was introduced for Android devices, as a part of the Autofill with Google mechanism. This feature will check stored passwords against a database containing records from public data breaches to see if the password was previously leaked.

The Bad

The week found itself among a whole heap of cyberattacks. Bombardier got bombarded with a data breach and some of its sensitive data was leaked online. Although unfortunate, it’s not very shocking as ransomware attackers are constantly posting stolen information on dedicated leak sites. Google alerts have become a convenient tool for attackers to spread malware on victim systems.

  • Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting QuickBooks in an attempt to deliver malware and exploit the accounting software. The credentials from QuickBooks databases are later put on sale on the dark web.

  • Reports of threat campaigns attempting to fool Turkish social media users into downloading Android apps containing the Cerberus and Anubis banking trojan have surfaced.

  • French authorities are warning the country’s healthcare sector of the discovery of stolen credentials, apparently belonging to hospital workers. The credentials are put for sale on the dark web.

  • The Clop ransomware gang has leaked online the screenshots of blueprints allegedly stolen from aerospace giant Bombardier. The gang had abused the vulnerability in the Acellion’s legacy file-transfer software to gain access to the networks of Bombardier.

  • Ukrainian security and defense websites suffered massive attacks that began on February 18. The threat actor attempted to compromise the websites to deploy a DDoS bot.

  • Texas-based Austin Energy has issued a warning about a scam that threatens customers to pay their pending bills. The scammers pretend to be from the company and warn customers that their utilities will be disconnected if they don’t make immediate payment.

  • Threat actors are leveraging Google Alerts to promote a fake Flash Player updater that installs other unwanted programs on users’ computers. The modus operandi includes threat actors creating fake stories with titles containing popular keywords that index on Google Search.

  • The IRS and Security Summit financial industry partners are warning about scams that are aimed at stealing personal information from taxpayers.

New Threats

New threats are always around the corner. And this week is nothing special. But, something worrying came up. Four new ICS threat actors emerged just like the four horsemen riding into the battlefield. A new malware called Silver Sparrow affecting Apple M1-powered Macs has been uncovered and I’d suggest you get some reading done about it so that you don’t become a victim in the long list of victims.

  • Four new ICS threat actors—Kamacite, Stibnite, Vanadinite, and Talonite—were identified by Dragos. These groups were spotted targeting energy and manufacturing sectors.

  • Malicious hackers have started scanning the internet for VMware vCenter servers that are vulnerable to a critical remote code execution vulnerability. The flaw is tracked as CVE-2021-21972 and can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious commands with elevated privileges.

  • Chinese cyberespionage gang TA413 launched attacks against Tibetan organizations using a malicious Firefox add-on. Dubbed FriarFox, this add-on allowed the hackers to steal Firefox and Gmail browser data, along with delivering malware on infected computers.

  • A botnet used for cryptocurrency mining activities is abusing Bitcoin blockchain transactions to stay under the radar. As a part of the campaign, the threat actors have been found abusing remote code execution vulnerabilities (CVE-2015-1427 and CVE-2019-9028) in Hadoop Yarn and Elasticsearch.

  • Botnet operators are abusing VPN servers provided by Powerhouse Management to bounce and amplify junk traffic as part of DDoS attacks. The root cause of the attack is a yet-to-be-identified service that runs on UDP port 20811 on Powerhouse VPN servers.

  • Researchers have detected a new variant of MINEBRIDGE RAT that includes new TTPs and social engineering lure. The malware, which is linked to the TA505 threat actor group, uses a job resume theme to attract recipients.

  • Researchers are warning of recent phishing attacks targeting at least 10,000 Microsoft email users. The emails appear to come from popular mail couriers such as FedEx and DHL Express.

  • Think tanks in the U.K are warning about a silent stealing fraud that targets online users. The modus operandi of the fraud involves stealing £10 each from 100,000 customers rather than stealing a large amount directly from a bank.

  • Researchers have demonstrated a new class of attacks called Shadow attacks that could let attackers replace content in digitally signed PDF documents. The attack is successful on 16 PDF viewers, including Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, Perfect PDF, and Okular.

  • Security researchers have discovered a new malware called Silver Sparrow on nearly 30,000 Apple Macs. The malware comes with a mechanism to self-destruct itself.

  • An ongoing espionage campaign aimed at the defense industry has been tracked by researchers. Tied to the North Korea-based Lazarus group, the attack involves the use of ThreatNeedle malware that exfiltrates sensitive information.

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.