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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - February 28–04

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - February 28–04 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Mar 4, 2022

The Good

There is a lot going on in the world right now, but we also have some good things to look forward to. A group of MIT researchers took a big step toward securing sensitive data. They fabricated an IC chip that protects against power side-channel attacks and is tiny enough to fit inside a smartwatch, tablet, or smartphone. Meanwhile, MITRE launched the Engage framework to help defenders conduct cyber adversary engagement, deception, and denial activities.

  • A group of researchers at MIT built an integrated circuit chip that can defend against power side-channel attacks while using much less energy than a common security technique. The integrated circuit conducts machine learning on the edge so that less power is consumed without compromising security.

  • Facebook has blocked multiple accounts and phishing domains, associated with the Belarusian-linked hacking group Ghostwriter (aka UNC1151), designed to target Ukrainian officials and military personnel. Additionally, it confirmed a spear-phishing campaign by the group that tricked Ukrainian military personnel into sharing their personal information.

  • European police detained 17 cybercriminals from France and Spain that were involved in distributing counterfeit ID documents for migrant smugglers over the dark web.

  • MITRE launched the first official version of Engage, a framework for conducting cyber adversary engagement, deception, and denial activities. This framework will help CISOs, security analysts, and vendors to implement defense strategies by taking cues from adversary behavior observed in the real world.

  • Singapore is all set out to build a new digital intelligence center to fortify the nation’s defenses against cyber threats. Dubbed Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), the unit will work under the Singapore Armed Forces and tackle online attacks.

The Bad

Attacks against Ukrainian entities are getting worse. The week witnessed multiple attacks, notable among them is a massive attack wave against Ukrainian academic institutions and a DDoS attack using DanaBot against the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. In other news, two ransomware gangs—Karma and Conti—targeted the same healthcare provider in back-to-back attacks.

  • A phishing campaign compromised the email accounts of Ukrainian armed services to spread Lua-based SunSeed malware. The campaign appears to target European government personnel who are involved in managing the logistics of refugees from Ukraine. Lately, the campaign has been upgraded to target NATO entities and is tentatively linked with the Ghostwriter hacking group.

  • A large-scale phishing campaign, leveraging over 200 phishing sites, has tricked users into making fake investments for buying e-bikes or registering for dealerships. The fraudulent operation abuses Google Ads and SEO to draw in victims. The campaign has caused financial damages of up to $1,000,000 and a majority of the affected are Indians.

  • Satellite communication giant Viasat was hit by a cyberattack that caused an internet outage across Europe. The firm has notified law enforcement agencies and government partners who are currently investigating the incident. Reports suggest that the attack began on February 24 and is ongoing.

  • A dual ransomware attack affected a Canada-based healthcare organization in December 2021. The attack was launched by the Karma ransomware gang first and later by the Conti ransomware gang. The attackers had managed to intrude into the victim’s network by exploiting the ProxyShell vulnerability.

  • A spate of phishing emails is being used against Microsoft account users to pilfer their credentials. The attackers are capitalizing on the Ukrainian crisis to spread terror among the recipients. The email asks the victims to log into their accounts as an unusual sign-on activity from Russia has been detected. The subject line of the email includes ‘Report the user.’

  • More than 30 WordPress-hosted Ukrainian university websites were hacked in a targeted attack. The threat actors support Russia and are identified as the ‘Monday Group.’ In 24 hours, more than 100,000 attacks were launched on Ukrainian education institutions.

  • A threat actor launched a DDoS attack using DanaBot against the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s webmail server. The attack was launched to deliver a second-stage malware payload leveraging the download and executing the command.

  • Scammers are weaponizing the Russia-Ukraine conflict to target users in well-crafted phishing campaigns. The phishing emails include different subject lines to dupe victims into sharing their crypto wallet credentials or making payments in the form of cryptocurrency. In one of the campaigns, emails spoofing the login page of popular German Bitcoin marketplace bitcoin.de had targeted employees at European financial service providers. In another campaign, the email spoofed the Ukraine Red Cross Society to lure recipients into cryptocurrency donations to a private wallet.

  • Researchers have disclosed details of a now-patched security vulnerability in GitLab that could potentially allow attackers to recover user information. Tracked as CVE-2021-4191, the flaw affects several versions of GitLab Community Edition and Enterprise Edition. The CVSS score of the flaw is 5.3. It has been patched with the release of versions 14.8.7, 14.7.4, and 14.6.5.

  • The New York State Office of the Attorney General warned victims of the August 2021 T-Mobile data breach after some of the stolen information ended up for sale on the dark web. This increases the risk of identity theft.

  • In a new update, Lapsus$ ransomware attackers have shared NVIDIA’s DLSS source code on their website. Additionally, the credentials of more than 71,000 employees have been leaked online. The data breach at the U.S. chipmaker occurred last month.

  • A hacker group, going by the moniker v0g3lsec, allegedly compromised a website connected to Russia’s Space Research Institute and posted the screenshot for the same.

New Threats

TeaBot is back in business and in the news. The operators came up with a newer version of it which is propagated via apps on Google Play Store, once again. Attacks against Ukrainian entities saw two new malware in disparate attacks - HermeticRansom and IsaacWiper. While we are on the topic of malware, Microsoft unveiled FoxBlade, another new malware that was used to perform DDoS attacks against Ukraine.

  • A new version of TeaBot is now targeting over 400 applications that include banks, crypto exchanges, and digital insurances. The attacks, driven via spam text messages, are being targeted against users in Russia, Hong Kong, and the U.S.

  • Researchers have demystified a newly found Golang ransomware dubbed HermeticRansom. Also known as PartyTicket, the ransomware encrypts specific files and appends them with .encryptedJB extension. It uses AES and RSA-OAEP algorithms to encrypt files and later drops an HTML ransom note on the victim’s desktop.

  • ESET researchers uncovered a third new data wiper malware, dubbed IssacWiper, that was used against hundreds of machines located in Ukraine. According to the researchers, the malware has been active since February 24 and includes both a wiper and a worm component to spread HermeticWiper in local networks.

  • Researchers detected a series of new TCP reflection/amplification attacks that leverage a new technique to knock websites offline. The amplification attack abuses vulnerable middleboxes, such as firewalls via TCP to magnify denial of service attacks. Middlebox devices from the likes of Cisco, Fortinet, SonicWall, and Palo Alto Networks are vulnerable to this new attack method.

  • A new stealthy backdoor named Daxin has been associated with a China-based hacking group. The malware is designed to give an attacker low-level root privileges on a compromised system. The malware was last used in November 2021 to target critical infrastructure in multiple countries.

  • Microsoft revealed that a new malware, dubbed FoxBlade, was used on several networks based in Eastern Europe. The malware was also used in destructive attacks against Ukraine right before the Russian invasion. It is capable of launching DDoS attacks on systems.

  • A new version of an info-stealing malware called Jester Stealer has been observed to be active since January. The new malware version, tracked as 1.7.1.0, is available for sale in underground cybercrime forums. Jester Stealer can pilfer data from web browsers, email clients, crypto wallets, and password managers.

  • Iran-linked UNC3313 threat actor group was found deploying two new custom backdoors, tracked as GRAMDOOR and STARWHALE. These backdoors were used in the attack against an unnamed government entity in the Middle East in November 2021.

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.