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 - July 15–19

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - July 15–19 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Jul 19, 2019

The Good

Let’s welcome the weekend by revisiting all that happened in the cyberspace over the week. Before delving into the security incidents and the new threats, let’s first take a look at all the positive events. Samsung Electronics, South Korean telcos, and banks formed a consortium to build a blockchain network to deploy mobile authentication services. The U.S. government announced plans to implement new DNS security measures for all .gov domains. Meanwhile, MIT researchers have analyzed the dark web operations via the value chain model and have discovered new strategies to combat them.

  • Samsung Electronics, South Korean telcos, and banks formed a consortium to build a blockchain network to deploy mobile authentication services. The South Korean telecom companies and banks who are a part of the consortium are SK Telecom, KT, LG Uplus, KEB Hana Bank, and Woori Bank.

  • The U.S. government announced plans to implement new DNS security measures for all .gov domains to mitigate risks associated with future DNS hijacking attacks. This new initiative was prompted by a global DNS hijacking campaign alert issued by the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC).

  • Microsoft demonstrated a new technology named ElectionGuard at Aspen Security Forum, which is designed to secure modern electronic voting machines. Microsoft said that it will release the software behind ElectionGuard on GitHub. The tech giant confirmed that they have no plans in releasing commercial voting machines under their brand.

  • The National Science Foundation awards the University of Arkansas with $4.63 million for recruiting, educating and training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The program named “Cyber-Centric Multidisciplinary Security Workforce Development” aims at addressing the shortage of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals.

  • MIT Sloan Management Review published a report on how cybercriminals operate through a value chain approach. The analysis revealed that when the value chain model is applied to cybercrime, the dark web facilitates criminal activities while remaining hidden through standard web browsers. Based on the analysis, they have also come up with strategies to combat malicious activities.

The Bad

Several data breaches and security incidents were witnessed in this week. An American telecommunications company, Sprint had its customer accounts breached via Samsung’s 'add a line' website. Hackers stole almost 110 databases containing the private data of millions of Bulgarians from the NRA’s network and leaked 57 databases to local news publications. The number of exposed users in Evite data breach is much larger than what was previously stated. Earlier, it was reported that the data breach impacted 10 million users, however, now it has come to light it impacted around 101 million users.

  • Hackers gained unauthorized access into Sprint customer accounts using their account credentials via Samsung’s 'add a line' website. The compromised information includes customers’ names, phone numbers, billing addresses, device types, device IDs, monthly recurring charges, subscriber IDs, account numbers, account creation dates, upgrade eligibility, and add-on services.

  • An unauthorized access into AMCA’s systems between August 1, 2018, and March 30, 2019, impacted almost 13000 Penobscot Community Health Center (PCHC) patients whose information were stored in AMCA systems. The compromised information included patients’ names, dates of birth, names of referring medical provider, and other medical information related to services received at PCHC.

  • The LaPorte County in Indiana which suffered a ransomware attack on July 06, 2019, paid the attackers $130,000 in order to recover the encrypted files. The county’s decision to pay the attackers was taken after the decryption keys from the FBI failed to restore the encrypted files. Out of the $130,000 paid, $100,000 is covered by the insurance provider.

  • A database dump added to Have I Been Pwned website had contained data of almost 101 million Evite users who had their information exposed in a data breach earlier this year. At that time, it was believed that approximately 10 million users had their information exposed, however, the number of exposed users is much larger.

  • A hacker gained access into MyDashWallet system between May 13, 2019, and July 12, 2019, and obtained the private keys to any wallet during that period. A Dash.org administrator who goes under the name Tungfa explained that MyDashWallet was modified on April 18, 2019, to download an external script from Greasy Fork. The Greasy Fork account was then compromised on May 13, 2019, with the hacker adding code to send the user’s private keys to an external server.

  • Hackers stole almost 110 databases containing the private data of millions of Bulgarians from the NRA’s network and leaked 57 databases to local news publications via emails containing download links. The leaked information contained personal identification numbers (PINs), names, home addresses and financial earnings of Bulgarians. Most of the information available in the databases dated back as far as 2007.

  • An unprotected Elasticsearch database belonging to AavGo exposed eight million entries of company data, client information, and guest details. The database included booking information, guest details, complaints from guests, invoices, work orders, memos and messages between staff, images of hotel rooms, and images of broken equipment. The database also included hotel admin login details including the username and password for admin panel, reservation system, and internal database.

  • AMCA data breach impacts over 2.2 million Clinical Pathological Laboratories (CPL) patients whose information were stored in AMCA systems. AMCA sent notification letters to 34,500 CPL patients informing them about the data breach. While CPL’s investigation is ongoing, based on the information provided by AMCA, CPL estimates another 2.2 million patients to be impacted by the incident.

  • An unprotected Elasticsearch database exposed the personal information, financial data, mobile device information, and billing information of Chinese citizens who used loan apps. The company behind the leaky database is currently unknown. However, the database leaked data of more than 100 loan-related apps, suggesting that the owner might most likely be a marketing agency for mobile apps.

  • The Town of Collierville in Tennessee suffered a ransomware attack after attackers infected the town’s computers and servers with Ryuk ransomware. The infection crippled computer systems and encrypted some of the computer files, blocking access to those files. The attack also impacted public services like permit requests, public records requests, and business services. However, emergency services were operational.

**New Threats **

This week also witnessed the occurrence of several new malware strains and vulnerabilities. Turla APT group was spotted using a new malware dubbed ‘Topinambour’ in its recent campaign. WhatsApp and Telegram were found to be impacted by a new flaw named ‘Media File Jacking’. Last but not least, researchers suspect the developers of GandCrab to be behind the Sodinokibi ransomware.

  • Turla APT group was spotted using a new malware dubbed ‘Topinambour’ in its recent campaign. Topinambour malware uploads and executes malicious files on compromised machines, along with fingerprinting them. The APT group used installers of legitimate software such as Softether VPN, psiphon3, or Microsoft Office ‘activators’ to spread Topinambour.
  • The developers of GandCrab are believed to be behind the Sodinokibi ransomware. In May, the group had announced their retirement from using GandCrab RaaS. On the other hand, the FBI has released a master decryption key to unlock files encrypted by any versions (from 4 to 5.2) of GandCrab.
  • Researchers spotted a new backdoor dubbed ‘EvilGnome’ that targets Linux users by impersonating a Gnome shell extension. This Linux malware is capable of spying on users, taking desktop screenshots, capturing audio recordings from the user’s microphone, stealing files, and downloading additional modules.
  • Researchers uncovered a vulnerability in the Facebook-owned social networking service, Instagram. The vulnerability resided in the ‘password recovery’ feature of the mobile version of Instagram, allowing attackers to reset the passwords for any Instagram account and take complete control of it.
  • A new DNS-changer trojan named Extenbro was uncovered. This trojan comes with an adware bundle and changes the DNS settings of the infected system. The main purpose of the trojan is to block the victims from visiting and installing security software.
  • New research revealed that WhatsApp and Telegram are impacted by a new flaw named ‘Media File Jacking’. The vulnerability arises from how media files are stored on these messaging apps, allowing attackers to manipulate and expose WhatsApp and Telegram media files.
  • Emsisoft released a free decryptor for the Ims00rry ransomware. The ransomware is known to encrypt files with AES-128 and does not append an extension to encrypted files. The decryptor is for version 1.0.0.0 of the Ims00rry ransomware and unlocks files encrypted by the ransomware in the attacks.
  • A ransomware variant called DoppelPaymer was discovered by security researchers recently. This ransomware shares most of the code with another well-known ransomware, BitPaymer. On top of having code similarities, even the ransom notes of DoppelPaymer were similar to BitPaymer ransomware.

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.