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, October 19 - 23, 2020

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, October 19 - 23, 2020 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Oct 23, 2020

The Good

Several good things happened in cyberspace, this week. Microsoft, in collaboration with other firms, released a new framework named Adversarial ML Threat Matrix to protect ML systems against cyberattacks. Different Internet emergency response teams from 539 organizations came together to form a group called Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) with an aim to provide ethical guidelines to cybersecurity professionals during incident response. Moreover, New Zealand launched a new data breach notification tool called NotifyUs to enable data handlers to report data breaches in compliance with the country’s data privacy law.

  • The U.S. Department of Justice indicted six Russian hackers behind the 2017 NotPetya ransomware attack that crippled several firms across the globe. The indictment highlighted the labels— Sandworm, Telebots, Iron Viking, and Voodoo Bear—used by the hackers in subsequent cybercrimes.

  • New Zealand launched a new data breach notification tool called NotifyUs to help organizations report a breach under new rules, which will come into force on December 1. The tool will enable data handlers to check whether it is mandatory to report a breach under new rules.

  • The Cyberspace Solarium Commission wants the DHS to work with other federal agencies to address significant vulnerabilities in the IT supply chain. The decision has been taken following the rise of supply chain attacks by Chinese state-sponsored hackers.

  • Researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Bar-Ilan University devised a new method of distributing secret cryptographic keys that can be used to encrypt and decrypt data, ensure secure communication, and protect private information. This is possible using optical framed knots.

  • Microsoft, in collaboration with MITRE, IBM, NVIDIA, and Bosch, released a new open framework to help security analysts detect, respond to, and remediate adversarial attacks against ML systems. Known as the Adversarial ML Threat Matrix, the framework is vetted to protect ML systems.

  • The Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), which includes Internet emergency response teams from 539 organizations worldwide, launched 12 ethical guidelines for cybersecurity professionals. The group aims to empower incident response and security teams on ethical behavior during incident response.

The Bad

Along with the favorable news, the week noticed several noteworthy data leak incidents. A majority of data leaks were associated with the U.S. voters. In one incident, a hacker exposed information of more than 200 million Americans, including the voter registration data of 186 million on a dark web forum. Besides this, ransomware gangs continued to wreak havoc on several firms such as Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and Sopra Steria.

  • The Egregor ransomware gang claimed responsibility for attacks on Legion, Albion, and Barnes & Noble. The attackers stole sensitive documents such as source code and financial data before encrypting them. In another incident, the Neifilim ransomware operators posted a list of files stolen from Italian eyecare giant, Luxottica, following a failed ransom negotiation. Several services and online systems linked to Montreal’s Société de transport de Montréal (STM) public transport system also suffered an outage after being hit with a RansomEXX ransomware attack.

  • Talking furthermore on ransomware attacks, European IT services group Sopra Steria struggled to fix its systems and IT networks that were impacted by ransomware. The company did not disclose the ransom demands.

  • Two pharma giants, Dr.Reddy’s and Pfizer, came under the scanner in two different data leak incidents. While Dr.Reddy’s was forced to temporarily shut its plants across the world, the data leak at Pfizer exposed phone-call transcripts and PII of its patients.

  • Malicious actors hacked the Signaling System (SS7) network to gain access to Telegram accounts and email data of high-profile individuals in the cryptocurrency business. Occurring in September, the attack targeted at least 20 subscribers of the Partner Communications Company.

  • The personal data of nearly 15 million Florida voters was leaked on a popular Russian hacking forum. The data included names, voter IDs, phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, gender, race, and party affiliation of individuals.

  • Australian gas producer Kleenheat disclosed a data breach that may have resulted in a leak of information such as names and addresses of customers. The retailer believes that the breach occurred in 2014 on a third-party system.

  • Atlanta-based MAXEX fell victim to a data breach incident after it exposed nearly 9GB of its internal data due to a publicly exposed Jenkins server. A fintech company, Scalable Capital, was also impacted by a data breach that resulted in the leak of personal details of around 20,000 clients.

  • Cybercriminals exfiltrated and published nearly 9GB of sensitive data belonging to Toledo Public Schools (TPS). The exposed information included names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and social security numbers of staff and students.

  • Researchers found that several apps using an outdated version of an SDK made by Twitter-owned MoPub were exposing users’ location data. In total, the apps have been downloaded nearly 10 million times.

  • A hacker was found offering information of more than 200 million Americans, including the voter registration data of 186 million on a dark web forum. The information can be used for multiple malicious activities by hackers.

  • Finland-based healthcare provider Vastaamo claimed that an intruder demanded a ransom for releasing customers’ data stolen from the firm. The data mostly includes personal information of users..

New Threats

Among new threats discovered this week, researchers discovered a series of new malware, named KashmirBlack botnet, Cliptomaner cryptocurrency miner, and T-RAT. While the Cliptomaner and KashmirBlack botnet were found to be extensively used to mine cryptocurrencies, T-RAT’s capabilities include stealing passwords and cookies, deploying keyloggers, recording audio files, taking screenshots, and retrieving clipboard content.

  • In a series of recent attacks, Sophos researchers found that LockBit ransomware used automated tools such as using renamed copies of PowerShell and Windows VBScript to move laterally across networks and evade detection.
  • The NSA published a list of 25 vulnerabilities highly exploited by Chinese actors worldwide. Some of the flaws affect Mobile Device Management server and Cisco IOS XR software.
  • TEMP.Isotope threat actor group is held responsible for multiple recent intrusions on U.S. government computer networks. The activities of the group, as described by federal agencies, included broad scanning of vulnerable systems across critical infrastructure in public and private sectors.
  • Seven mobile browsers—Apple Safari, Opera Touch, Opera Mini, Bolt, RITS, UC Browser, and Yandex Browser—affected by an address bar spoofing vulnerability could allow malicious actors to spoof legitimate sites. While some of these browsers have received a security patch, few are yet to be fixed.
  • New variants of GravityRAT spyware were observed affecting Android and macOS devices. The spyware’s capabilities include stealing contact lists, emails, and documents from infected devices.
  • A series of new malware, named KashmirBlack botnet, Cliptomaner cryptocurrency miner, and T-RAT were observed this week. While the Cliptomaner and KashmirBlack botnet were found to be extensively used to mine cryptocurrencies, T-RAT’s capabilities include stealing passwords and cookies, deploying keyloggers, recording audio files, taking screenshots, and retrieving clipboard content.

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.