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Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - May 13–17

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - May 13–17 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing May 17, 2024

The Good

In a major win, the FBI, DOJ, and global law enforcement once again shut down BreachForums, arresting its alleged administrators and seizing its infrastructure. Across the pond, the NCSC-U.K launched the Share and Defend system, empowering ISPs to block malicious domains. Meanwhile, MITRE released the EMB3D threat model, enhancing security for embedded devices by aligning with and expanding on existing frameworks.

  • The FBI, DOJ, and international law enforcement agencies have taken down the BreachForums hacker website, leading to the arrest of alleged administrators and the seizure of infrastructure. BreachForums was the successor to the previously taken down RaidForums, and had been operating since June 2023 as a marketplace for stolen data, hacking tools, and other illegal services.

  • The NCSC-U.K launched a new Share and Defend system that will provide ISPs with the same protections against malicious domains as government networks, helping to disrupt cybercrime and online fraud across the country. It works by sharing threat intelligence data with industry partners, such as Internet Service Providers, who can then take action to block access to malicious content for their customers.

  • MITRE released the EMB3D threat model to address the evolving challenges in embedded device security. The model provides a common understanding of cyber threats to embedded devices and the security mechanisms needed to mitigate them. EMB3D aligns with and expands on existing models like Common Weakness Enumeration, MITRE ATT&CK, and Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures.

  • The Singapore government has updated its Cybersecurity Act, giving its primary cybersecurity agency more power to regulate critical infrastructure and third-party providers, and requiring the reporting of cyber incidents, in response to the growing threat landscape and the increasing reliance on cloud services and third-party providers by critical infrastructure operators.

  • The FCC is proposing a new requirement for ISPs to file regular updates on their efforts to secure BGP, a key internet routing protocol. The proposal would mandate that providers develop BGP security plans and document their use of the Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) security framework.

The Bad

When shadows move in cyberspace, danger follows. Researchers have uncovered espionage by the Turla group using new backdoors LunarWeb and LunarMail. Additionally, the Ebury botnet has been found to have compromised over 400,000 Linux servers since 2009, with over 100,000 still affected. Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday addresses 61 security vulnerabilities.

  • An unnamed European Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions in the Middle East fell victim to espionage operations orchestrated by the Turla group. ESET researchers discovered two previously undocumented backdoors, LunarWeb and LunarMail, deployed in the attacks. LunarWeb operates on servers using HTTP(S) for command-and-control communications, while LunarMail, persisting as an Outlook add-in on workstations, communicates via email.

  • ESET divulged the extensive infiltration of the Ebury botnet into over 400,000 Linux servers since 2009, with over 100,000 servers still compromised as of late 2023. The sophisticated campaign involved various monetization activities, including spam distribution, web traffic redirection, and credential theft, with actors also engaged in cryptocurrency heists and credit card theft. The attackers employ diverse delivery methods, including SSH credential theft and exploitation of web panel vulnerabilities.

  • Microsoft released its Patch Tuesday updates, addressing a total of 61 security vulnerabilities which includes two zero-day issues being actively exploited in the wild. These are a critical flaw in the Windows MSHTML Platform and an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) Core Library. These flaws could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code and gain SYSTEM privileges.

  • A cybercriminal going by the moniker ‘salfetka’ has been spotted selling the source code of the INC Ransom RaaS operation. The sale offers Windows and Linux/ESXi versions of the ransomware. Meanwhile, the ransomware group is allegedly transitioning to a new data leak extortion platform, hinting at internal changes or a rebranding effort. Some experts say the sale could potentially be a scam.

  • DanaBot malware operators are exploiting documents containing external links to evade detection, unveiled ASEC. Attackers send spam emails disguised as a job application form to deceive recipients. The analysis revealed the malware's propagation - from Word attachment execution to DanaBot installation via PowerShell. The malware can steal a variety of data, including screenshots and credentials.

  • The Kimsuky APT group, linked to North Korea, has been using rogue Facebook accounts to target victims through Messenger and deliver malware. They impersonated a South Korean public official to connect with key individuals in North Korean and security-related fields. The attack involved sending decoy documents via Messenger, which linked to a malicious file hosted on OneDrive. Upon opening the file, a multi-stage attack chain was initiated, allowing the malware to gather and exfiltrate information to a C2 server.

  • Security experts at New Jersey’s Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell warned of a LockBit Black ransomware campaign orchestrated by the re-emerged Phorpiex botnet group. Since April, millions of phishing emails with ZIP attachments have been sent. The new botnet version, dubbed Twizt, operates peer-to-peer, evading traditional detection methods. With over 1,500 unique sending IP addresses, the campaign spans multiple countries.

  • Numerous security issues in Apple products have been found to pose significant risks to users, with the most severe flaw allowing arbitrary code execution. Tracked as CVE-2024-23296, the bug threatens government and business entities. Criminals are using techniques like Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203) wherein they potentially gain kernel privileges or bypass security measures. These vulnerabilities span macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

  • Malicious actors were found leveraging GoTo Meeting, a legitimate software, to execute Remcos RAT via deceptive tactics. Using a chain of LNK file executions, they trigger the malicious payloads, disguised as PDFs. The malware uses DLL sideloading to execute the malware DLL. The shellcode further obfuscates the process and assists in decrypting and executing the payload. A JS infection chain targeting diverse demographics with fake setups and documents was also identified.

New Threats

The North Korean hacker group Kimsuy has unleashed a new Linux malware dubbed Gomir, spread through trojanized software installers. Google issued an emergency security update for Chrome to address a high-severity zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2024-4947) in the V8 JavaScript engine, marking the third zero-day patch in a week. A newly discovered WiFi vulnerability (CVE-2023-52424) allows attackers to execute SSID Confusion attacks, potentially leading to traffic interception and manipulation.

  • North Korean state-sponsored hacker group Kimsuy was identified using a new Linux malware dubbed Gomir, a variant of the GoBear backdoor. The malware is distributed through trojanized software installers and shares similarities with GoBear, including direct C2 and support for various operations. Gomir targets South Korean government organizations and utilizes supply-chain attacks to maximize its impact.
  • Google issued an emergency security update for Chrome to address a high-severity zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2024-4947) actively exploited in attacks. The flaw stemmed from a type confusion issue in the Chrome V8 JavaScript engine. This marks the third zero-day patch within a week. Alongside, Google urged users to update their browsers to the latest version (125.0.6422.60/.61 for Mac/Windows and 125.0.6422.60 for Linux) to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
  • A suspected Chinese threat actor is using a customized version of the Gh0st RAT malware to target AI experts in the US, indicating a potential effort to steal non-public information related to generative artificial intelligence. The SugarGh0st malware, a variant of Gh0st RAT, has new capabilities including reconnaissance and data exfiltration, making it more advanced and dangerous than its predecessor. The campaign's use of AI-themed phishing lures and the recent US government efforts to restrict Chinese access to AI technologies suggest a possible motive for the cyberattacks: to harvest generative AI secrets for Chinese development goals.
  • A newly discovered vulnerability in the WiFi standard, identified as CVE-2023-52424, enables attackers to execute an SSID Confusion attack on enterprise, mesh, and certain home WiFi networks. This flaw allows attackers to spoof network names and trick victims into connecting to less secure networks, potentially leading to traffic interception and manipulation.
  • A concerning surge in phishing attacks posing as DocuSign documents threatens customer security. These attacks employ carefully crafted emails resembling authentic document signing requests, aiming to trick recipients into divulging sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Factors such as DocuSign's widespread usage, trusted image, and cybercriminals' evolving tactics contribute to the spike.
  • The U.K's NHS alerted organizations about the potential exploitation of vulnerabilities in Arcserve Unified Data Protection (UDP) software, disclosed in March. These include authentication bypass and path traversal flaws, with Tenable rating them ‘critical’ and the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium emphasizing urgent action. Risks range from data theft to ransomware attacks, necessitating heightened monitoring alongside patching.
  • The FCC alerted users regarding a group of robocall scammers known as Royal Tiger, marking them as the first Consumer Communications Information Services Threat (C-CIST). Led by Prince Jashvantlal Anand and Kaushal Bhavsar, Royal Tiger operates in multiple countries and has utilized various entities for illegal robocall campaigns targeting U.S. consumers. Despite previous warnings and cease-and-desist letters, the group continues to perpetuate imposter scams, including spoofed calls impersonating banks and government agencies.

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.