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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - March 16–20

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - March 16–20 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Mar 20, 2020

The Good

Hope you all had a healthy and safe week. Here is a dose of good things that happened this week in cybersecurity. The UK’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has started hunting down phishing websites that are linked to COVID-19 scams. The initiative has been taken to protect people across Europe from losing money and sensitive data to scams. Meanwhile, the creators of some prominent ransomware have taken the decision of not targeting health organizations amid this Coronavirus pandemic.

  • The UK’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has stepped in to remove malicious and phishing websites linked to COVID-19 scams. The initiative has been taken following the rise in attacks that have led to the loss of victims’ money and sensitive data across Europe.

  • Members of the IT and cybersecurity communities have successfully obtained a password key for CovidLock Android ransomware that comes disguised as an app. The app threatens to erase data from a user’s phone if a ransom of $100 in bitcoin is not paid within 48 hours.

  • The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published the draft for SP 800-53 (revision 5). This publication, titled “Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations,” reflects the major changes to the security landscape over the last few years. The publication intends to protect organizational operations and assets from cyberattacks.

  • Operators of some prominent ransomware like DoppelPaymer and Maze have stated that they will no longer target health and medical organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. DoppelPaymer’s operators have further asserted that they will decrypt the files for free if they have inadvertently attacked any hospital or nursing home.

The Bad

Meanwhile, several organizations inadvertently exposed millions of records in different data leak incidents reported this week. Misconfigured S3 buckets became a major reason for data leaks at MCA Wizard and Doxzoo. Also, a UK-based research firm had come under the scanner for exposing 5 billion records on different security incidents due to an unguarded Elasticsearch database.

  • An unprotected Elasticsearch database exposed over 5 billion records collected by a UK-based research firm between 2012 and 2019. The leaky database contained extensive information on the breaches including domains, sources, contact email addresses, and passwords.

  • Cybercriminals launched a DDoS attack against German food delivery service Takeaway.com (Liefrando), demanding two bitcoins to stop the flood of malicious traffic. The company announced that its systems had entered maintenance mode to ensure data security amidst such attacks.

  • Approximately 500,000 documents related to the MCA Wizard app were exposed due to a misconfigured AWS S3 bucket. The documents included credit reports, bank statements, contracts, legal reports, driver’s license copies, purchase orders, tax returns, and social security numbers.

  • A data leak at Doxzoo affected over 270,000 records belonging to more than 100,000 users. The incident occurred due to a leaky S3 bucket. The leaked data included print jobs for many high-profile clientele - such as elite universities, Fortune 500 companies and more.

  • Canadian ISP Rogers Communications notified its customers about a data breach that took place in February 2020. The incident had exposed personal information such as addresses, account numbers, email addresses, and telephone numbers of some of its customers.

  • Websites of NutriBullet and TrueFire suffered Magecart-like attacks, allowing attackers to steal payment card details of customers. While the attack on NutriBullet was conducted using skimmer code, TrueFire reported the attack due to unauthorized access to its website.

New threats

The week also saw various malware attack campaigns leveraging the pandemic COVID-19 crisis. The malware used in these campaigns were BlackWater backdoor, Trickbot trojan, Crimson RAT and SpyMax. Apart from this, researchers also came across two new malware - dubbed CrazyCoin virus and Nefilim ransomware - that are active in the wild.

  • Many Intel CPU processors were found to be affected by a new Snoop-assisted L1D Sampling vulnerability. The flaw is a variant of domain-bypass transient execution attack and it takes advantage of CPU mechanisms like cache levels, cache coherence, and bus snooping.
  • Researchers discovered a new CrazyCoin virus that spreads through the EternalBlue exploit kit. The virus includes mining, hacking and backdoor capabilities. Once launched, the virus unleashes both mining and information-stealing modules to carry out its malicious activities further.
  • Attacks from a new variant of Pysa ransomware and a newly discovered Nefilim ransomware were also discovered this week. While the latest Pysa ransomware variant uses the .newversion file extension at the end of each encrypted file, the new Nefilim ransomware uses a combination of the AES-128 and RSA-2048 algorithms to encrypt victims’ files.
  • A new version of TrickBot trojan that includes an RDP bruteforcing module targeted telecommunication services in the U.S. and Hong Kong. The variant first appeared on January 30, 2020 and uses a C2 server located in Russia.
  • The notorious Ursnif trojan was also spotted this week targeting people in Italy. The attacker made use of a compromised website that acts as a DropURL.
  • Stantinko botnet has evolved to include a new cryptomining module and various obfuscation techniques. Out of these techniques, the most notable ones are obfuscation of strings and control-flow obfuscation.
  • Malware authors leveraged fake news stories on Coronavirus to distribute Emotet and Trickbot trojan. In a different incident, threat actors impersonated the World Health Organization (WHO) to send a fake e-book as a lure to trick users into downloading GuLoader. The fake e-book came in the form of an attachment in the email that provided guidance on staying safe from Coronavirus threat.
  • A new backdoor named BlackWater infected systems by pretending to provide updates on Coronavirus disease. The main purpose of the backdoor is to abuse Cloudflare Workers so that it can be used as an interface to communicate with attackers.
  • Two malicious apps pretending to provide updated information on COVID-19 disease were also used to steal users’ sensitive information. While the ‘CovidLock’ app demanded an extortion fee of $100 in bitcoin to prevent data from being erased from the user's phone, the ‘corona live 1.1’ app was used to spy people in Libya.
  • The prolific TA505 threat actor group has been targeting businesses in Germany through malicious CVs. The campaign has been operating since April 2018 and the trojanized curriculum vitae files are sent through phishing emails.
  • A Pakistan-based APT36 threat actor group deployed the Crimson Remote Administration Tool (RAT) onto the systems via a spear phishing campaign using Coronavirus-themed documents as bait. The campaign exploited a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Office to distribute the RAT.
  • Sodinokibi ransomware operators published over 12 GB of stolen data belonging to a company named Brooks International for not paying the ransom. The exposed data includes usernames and passwords, credit card statements, tax information, and much more.

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.