Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - November 21–25

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence - January 09–13 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing November 25, 2022

The Good

Law enforcement agencies made a great stride this week by dismantling illegal services and cybercrime infrastructure that caused millions of dollars in losses. One such successful crackdown was codenamed Operation HAECHI III and resulted in the seizure of $130 million worth of virtual assets stolen in different scams, including BEC and voice phishing. Meanwhile, the CISA updated the Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF) to better help SLTT planners protect their critical infrastructures.

  • The CISA updated its Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF) with new tools and guidance to help state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) entities counter evolving cyber threats. The framework was released last year and can be used by any organization to improve resilience planning.

  • INTERPOL announced the seizure of cybercrime assets under Operation HAECHI III, a codename given to an effort to tackle a widespread campaign that caused the loss of $130 million worth of money and virtual assets. The operation was carried out over a span of five months and targeted cybercriminals involved in voice phishing, romance scams, BEC scams, and investment frauds.

  • In another successful investigation, Europol took down an online spoofing service, iSpoof, that was used by crooks to conduct social engineering, phishing, and bank helpdesk scams. The services on the website also allowed threat actors to steal money, banking account credentials, and one-time passcodes. This caused a loss of approximately $120 million in the last 16 months.

  • The U.S. government took down seven domains linked to pig butchering scams. These scams involved fraudsters duping victims into fake relationships before asking them to make investments in cryptocurrency on fake platforms. Around $10 million was lost due to these scams between May and August.

The Bad

Information-stealing campaigns, growing larger in size and scale, impacted users and organizations alike. Group-IB researchers reported that over 50 million passwords stolen in the first half of the year are being sold on underground forums along with compromised credit card details. The data was stolen in an organized campaign by 34 Russian hacker groups via Telegram. Furthermore, Coinbase, MetaMask, Crypto.com, and KuCoin are being impersonated in an ongoing campaign to ensnare more victims. The campaign has been going on since 2021. Facebook ads and business platforms are also being targeted in an active Ducktail information-stealer campaign that is designed to steal browser cookies and victims’ personal details.

  • A data breach at the County of Tehama, California, affected the personal information of employees, service recipients, and other affiliated individuals. The incident was identified on April 9, but the investigation stretched to August 19, when it was determined that PII was compromised.

  • Amidst the rising popularity of Mastodon, security researchers are finding several vulnerabilities and other security issues. One of these issues was associated with the Infosec-exchange instance that could be exploited to steal users’ credentials. The issues arose due to an HTML attribute only allowed by a Mastodon fork named Glitch.

  • Over 50 websites impersonating the official MSI Afterburner site were used in the last three months to push XMRig miner and RedLine information-stealer. The primary targets of the campaign were Windows gamers and power users.

  • Group-IB researchers revealed a worldwide password-stealing campaign that resulted in the compromise of over 50 million passwords in the first seven months of the year. Around 34 Telegram groups were used by threat actors to infect over 890,000 devices. Each of these groups had as many as 200 active members and tricked victims by redirecting them to fake websites on the pretext of lucky draws, lotteries, and reviewing popular games on YouTube.

  • HC3 published an advisory to warn healthcare organizations about Lorenz ransomware. The advisory provided technical details, including reconnaissance and lateral movement activities by the ransomware, and urged organizations to stay vigilant.

  • The newly found Donut (aka Donut Leaks) extortion group was linked with several double-extortion campaigns targeting multiple organizations. This time, the gang used its own customized ransomware and erected a site to leak stolen data.

  • A callback phishing campaign associated with the LunaMoth threat actor is expanding worldwide. The campaign specifically targets organizations in the legal and retail sectors and has already cost victims thousands of dollars. The threat actors have significantly invested in call centers and infrastructure that is unique to each victim.

  • Sports betting company DraftKings suffered a credential stuffing attack that led to a loss of up to $300,000. The firm claims that the hackers accessed their customers’ accounts by using login information that was compromised on other websites. It has urged users to enable 2FA to secure their accounts, while assuring them to make up for the lost funds.

  • A crypto-stealing phishing campaign is underway, impersonating different cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets. The campaign has been active since 2021 and abuses the Microsoft Azure Web Apps service to host phishing sites. Victims are targeted via phishing messages that pretend to be from Coinbase, MetaMask, Crypto.com, and KuCoin, informing them about suspicious activity detected in their accounts.

  • An ongoing Ducktail information-stealer campaign that targets Facebook ads and business platforms was disclosed by researchers. The malware is designed to steal browser cookies and take advantage of authenticated Facebook sessions to steal information from the victim’s Facebook account. The ultimate purpose of this campaign is to run ads on hijacked Facebook accounts for monetary gain.

  • Affiliates of the Black Basta ransomware group were found piggybacking on QBot to target organizations in the U.S. Researchers found that attackers disabled DNS services to lock victims out of their networks. In the last two weeks, more than 10 organizations were impacted by these attacks.

  • Security experts are investigating a dataset that appears to contain data from nearly 500 million WhatsApp users from 84 countries. The data is being sold on cybercrime forums for prices ranging from $2000 to $7000. Threat actor claims that there are over 32 million US user records included in the dataset.

New Threats

?An uptick in attacks leveraging malicious Chrome browser extensions was observed this week. While VenomSoftX was used in one campaign to steal crypto assets, SearchBlox was observed in another campaign meant to harvest Roblox player credentials. In another threat update, the notorious RansomExx has become the latest ransomware to switch to the Rust language. This new change has been made to make the analysis of the ransomware difficult during the infection process. Additionally, cybercriminals are increasingly adopting the Aurora info-stealer to steal sensitive information from browsers and cryptocurrency apps.

  • Two malicious browser extensions under the name SearchBlox were distributed via the Google Chrome web store to steal Roblox player credentials, as well as assets on Rolimons. These extensions have been downloaded by more than 200,000 users.
  • WannaRen returned as Life ransomware to target Indian organizations. The ransomware variant uses a batch file to download and execute WINWORD.exe to perform DLL side-loading and load the ransomware in memory.
  • Newer versions of ViperSoftX were found dropping the VenomSoftX Chrome browser extension in an attempt to steal cryptocurrency. VenomSoftX disguised itself as various popular browser extensions, such as Google Sheets, to avoid user detection and targeted five cryptocurrency exchanges—Blockchain.com, Binance, Coinbase, Gate.io, and Kucoin.
  • RansomExx2 is a new variant of RansomExx, which is written in Rust. The variant uses AES-256 with RSA algorithms to encrypt specific files on victims’ computers. Each encrypted file is given a new file extension with random characters.
  • Several attack campaigns attributed to the SocGholish malware framework were observed this week. In one campaign, shady domains, fake plugins, and Windows themes were used to distribute the malware. In another campaign, SEO poisoning and malvertising tactics were leveraged as a part of the propagation process.
  • Cybercriminals are increasingly turning to a Golang-based information stealer named Aurora to steal sensitive information from browsers and cryptocurrency apps. At least seven notable cybercriminal gangs have significantly adopted the malware, either exclusively or along with RedLine and Raccoon.
  • Google Cloud Threat Intelligence researchers found 34 cracked versions of Cobalt Strike in the wild. These versions contained 257 unique JAR files and Beacon components, which upon execution could log keystrokes, perform code execution, escalate privileges, and conduct port scanning, among other nefarious activities. Researchers also noticed that each unauthorized version of the Cobalt Strike toolkit had attack template binaries, numbering between 10 and 100.
  • Two new RaaS families called Octocrypt and Alice were observed by the researchers. While Octocrypt is being offered at a price of $400 to target all Windows versions, Alice is being sold at $600, with fast encryption capabilities and compatibility with Asian/Arabic PCs. Additionally, a new ransomware named AXLocker was found stealing Discord tokens from victims’ systems.
  • SharkBot returned in a new attack targeting Android users. The trojan disguised itself as a fake antivirus app on Google Play Store to steal banking information from users. Other capabilities of the trojan include recording keystrokes, intercepting SMSes, and enabling attackers to gain remote access to devices. Most of the affected devices belonged to users in Italy and the U.K.
  • Fake VPN apps are being used to distribute the Bahamut spyware in a campaign that has been active since January. The campaign is conducted by a group of the same name and the main purpose is to extract sensitive user data from devices. So far, eight versions of these malicious apps have been discovered to be distributed via a VPN website.

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Apr 11, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, April 07–11, 2025

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Mar 28, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 24–28, 2025

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Mar 21, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 17–21, 2025

The race to outpace quantum threats is officially on. The NCSC has issued guidance to help organizations transition to post-quantum cryptography by 2035, with a focus on NIST-approved algorithms and planned support for critical sectors. A nationwide fraud crackdown ends with hundreds behind bars. Operation Henhouse led to 422 arrests and the seizure of millions in assets, as U.K. police target the country’s most widespread and costly crime - fraud. A threat actor briefly exposed their entire playbook. Researchers found a public server hosting tools tied to a campaign targeting South Korea, including a Rust-compiled payload delivering Cobalt Strike Cat and a list of over 1,000 potential targets. Phishing messages on Signal are leading to full system compromise. CERT-UA warns of DarkCrystal RAT attacks targeting Ukraine’s defense sector, using fake contacts and malicious files to trick victims into executing spyware. Ransomware slipped into VSCode under the radar. Two malicious extensions were discovered on the VSCode Marketplace, bypassing checks to deliver test-stage ransomware demanding ShibaCoin for decryption. Fake ads are being weaponized to steal Google credentials. A campaign targeting Semrush users is redirecting victims to spoofed login pages, where attackers harvest Google account logins through a fake “Log in with Google” prompt. A fake browser update could cost you more than a few clicks. A new ClearFake campaign is using fake reCAPTCHA and Turnstile pages to deliver malware like Lumma and Vidar Stealer, with payloads fetched through Binance’s Smart Chain. Hackers are quietly poisoning AI-generated code. A new supply chain attack targets AI editors like Copilot and Cursor, exploiting rules files to inject malicious prompts that trick the tools into writing compromised code.

Mar 14, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 10–14, 2025

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Mar 7, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, March 03–07, 2025

The code caves of GitHub just got a cleanup crew courtesy of Microsoft. A sprawling malvertising campaign that snagged nearly a million devices worldwide has been knocked down a peg. Cheap Android gadgets are getting a breather from a relentless digital pest. The BadBox 2.0 botnet, a souped-up sequel backed by multiple threat crews, saw 24 shady apps booted from Google Play and half a million infected devices cut off from their puppet masters, thanks to some crafty sinkholing and Google’s cleanup sweep. A sneaky gatecrasher has turned WordPress into a redirect rollercoaster. A malicious JavaScript injection lurking in a theme file has snagged at least 31 sites, pulling visitors through a two-step detour to shady third-party domains. Japan’s digital defenses are under siege from a shadowy crew with a taste for chaos. Since January, unknown threat actors have been prying open organizations in tech, telecom, entertainment, and more, exploiting CVE-2024-4577 in PHP-CGI on Windows. Crooks posing as the Electronic Frontier Foundation are targeting Albion Online players with phishing emails and fake PDFs, claiming account trouble. It’s a ruse to drop Stealc malware and Pyramid C2. A fresh face in the cybercrime underworld is juggling a bag of nasty surprises. EncryptHub is hitting users of QQ Talk, WeChat, Google Meet, and more with trojanized apps and slick multi-stage attacks. The Eleven11bot botnet, loosely tied to Iran, has taken over 86,000 IoT devices to slam telecoms and gaming servers with relentless DDoS barrages. Social media’s sunny side has a dark shadow creeping across the Middle East and North Africa. Since September 2024, Desert Dexter has been slinging a tweaked AsyncRAT via legit file-sharing sites and Telegram. For detailed Cyber Threat Intel, click ‘Read More’.

Feb 21, 2025

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, February 17–21, 2025

Google is stepping up its defenses against the quantum threat. The company is rolling out quantum-resistant digital signatures in Cloud KMS, following NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standards. Supply chain attacks just got harder to pull off. Apiiro has released two open-source tools to detect malicious code in software projects. With high detection rates across PyPI and npm packages, these tools add a crucial layer of security for developers. China’s Salt Typhoon is making itself at home in global telecom networks. The group has been caught using JumbledPath, a custom-built spying tool, to infiltrate ISPs in the U.S., Italy, South Africa, and Thailand. ShadowPad malware is once again causing havoc in Europe. Trend Micro flagged 21 targeted companies across 15 countries, with manufacturing firms bearing the brunt. A RAT is hiding in plain sight. SectopRAT has been spotted disguised as a fake Google Docs Chrome extension. It steals browser data, targets VPNs and cryptocurrency wallets, and injects malicious scripts into web pages. Darcula Suite is taking PhaaS to the next level. The upcoming update, currently in beta, will let users generate their own phishing kits by cloning real websites and customizing attack elements. A new payment card skimming campaign is turning Stripe’s old API into a weapon. Hackers are injecting malicious scripts into checkout pages, validating stolen card details through Stripe before exfiltration. LummaC2 is spreading through cracked software downloads again. ASEC found it disguised as a pirated Total Commander installer, hiding behind Google Collab Drive and Reddit links.

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.