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, September 28 - October 02, 2020

Cyware Weekly Threat Intelligence, September 28 - October 02, 2020 - Featured Image

Weekly Threat Briefing Oct 2, 2020

The Good

With another week coming to an end, let’s take a quick glance at all the good developments that happened this week. America’s top law enforcement agencies plan to work with intelligence agencies to fight against foreign hackers. On the other hand, the Western Australian government has decided to come up with a new cybersecurity center that will provide further support to existing cybersecurity efforts across government.

  • America’s top law enforcement and intelligence agencies will work together as part of a new federal strategy to fight foreign hackers. The effort will improve targeting and prosecution of hackers who attack American organizations.

  • The Western Australian government has dedicated AU$1.8 million (~US$ 1.3 million) to establish a whole-of-government cybersecurity operations centre. It will provide further support to existing cybersecurity efforts across government and the dedicated cybersecurity team within the Office of Digital Government.

  • Researchers from CSIRO’s Data61 and the Monash Blockchain Technology Centre claimed to have developed the world’s most efficient blockchain protocol that is both secure against quantum computers and protects the privacy of its users and their transactions. The technology can be applied beyond cryptocurrencies, such as digital health, banking, finance and government services.

The Bad

It’s raining ransomware and this week’s targeted victim companies include the names of United Health Services (UHS), Arthur J.Gallagher & Co. and CMA CGM. In other news, the FBI is investigating an ongoing BEC campaign in which $15 million have been stolen from at least 150 victims.

  • Two popular flight tracking websites, Flightradar24 and PlaneFinder, had their services disrupted following multiple attacks. In a different incident, Swatch Group was also forced to shut down some of its operations due to a cyberattack. It is unclear which threat actor groups were behind these attacks and which malware was used to infect the systems.

  • A European fashion retailer, BrandBQ, exposed seven million customer records due to a misconfigured Elasticsearch server. The compromised data included full names, home addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and payment records of individuals.

  • In another incident, Kylie Cosmetics reported a data breach due to the security incident at Shopify Inc. According to Shopify, the compromised data included basic contact details such as email, name, and address, as well as order details.

  • A technical issue in Airbnb service on desktop and mobile web platforms caused the leak of a limited amount of data. The exposed information included personally identifiable information, such as addresses of hosts and details of Airbnb properties.

  • REvil operators deposited $1 million in a hacker forum as part of their recruitment drive. The deposit illustrates the amount of money that attackers are generating from ransomware operations.

  • Meanwhile, the Ryuk ransomware claimed its attack on United Health Services (UHS). The attack, which occurred on Monday, affected IT networks at UHS facilities across the U.S. French shipping giant CMA CGM was also affected in a different ransomware attack, where the attackers encrypted some of the company’s files and demanded a ransom for the decryption key.

  • The U.S.-based Arthur J.Gallagher & Co. and the Ashtabula County Medical Center were also targeted in different ransomware attacks. While the malware used in the attacks is unknown, the firms took concrete steps to contain the spread.

  • The FBI is investigating an ongoing BEC campaign in which $15 million have been stolen from at least 150 victims. The campaign uses social engineering techniques to impersonate senior executives using Microsoft Office 365 email services. So far, a majority of these attacks have targeted organizations in the U.S.

New Threats

In new threats, researchers discovered new variants of the InterPlanetary Storm botnet and Android/SpyC23.A. While the new version of InterPlanetary Storm botnet uses brute-force attacks to get into systems, the new variant of Android/SpyC23.A spyware is distributed via a fake app store in the form of AndroidUpdate, Threema and Telegram apps.

  • LokiBot trojan returned in a new phishing attack campaign that used a unique obfuscation technique of adding random texts in shortened URLs. This enabled the phishing emails sent by threat actors to bypass email security checks.
  • Variants of Android/SpyC23.A and InterPlanetary Storm botnet were observed wreaking havoc on devices in different attack campaigns. While the new version of InterPlanetary Storm botnet uses brute force attacks to get into systems, the new variant of Android/SpyC23.A spyware is distributed via a fake app store in the form of AndroidUpdate, Threema and Telegram apps.
  • Google removed a fresh set of 17 malicious apps that were responsible for distributing the Joker malware. Once installed, the Joker-infested apps could steal SMS messages, contact lists, and device information from infected devices.
  • New UN Security Council report reveals that a North Korea-based Kimsuky hacker group was behind a series of spear-phishing attacks launched between March and April this year. The purpose was to target officials associated with the UN Security Council.
  • A newly discovered Linkury adware campaign was found distributing a browser hijacker, SafeFinder widget, that is designed to spread malware. The widget was advertised as a way to perform safe searches on the internet to trick users. The campaign leveraged Chrome, Firefox, and Safari to launch the browser hijacker.
  • An ongoing phishing attack campaign from the threat actor group, TA2552, is leveraging Netflix and Amazon brands as lures to target Microsoft 365 users in Spain. The campaign has been active since July 2020 and uses phishing emails that include a link to a fake Office 365 login page.
  • A new espionage campaign linked to the BlackTech APT group was found by researchers. The campaign targeted media, construction, engineering, electronics, and finance sectors in Japan, Taiwan, the U.S., and China.
  • Over 247,000 Microsoft Exchange Servers vulnerable to CVE-2020-0688, a remote code execution flaw, are exposed to attacks. A patch for the flaw that exists in the control panel of the Exchange Server was issued in February. However, several firms have failed to apply the update on time, making them a potential target for cyberattacks.

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.