Clever 'GitHub Scanner' campaign abusing repos to push malware
A clever threat campaign is abusing GitHub repositories to distribute malware targeting users who frequent an open source project repository or are subscribed to email notifications from it. A malicious GitHub user opens a new
Check Point Research identified a network of GitHub accounts (Stargazers Ghost Network) that distribute malware or malicious links via phishing repositories. The network consists of multiple accounts that distribute malicious links and malware and perform other actions such as starring, forking, and subscribing to malicious repositories to make them appear legitimate. This network is a highly sophisticated operation that acts as a Distribution as a Service (DaaS). It allows threat actors to share malicious links or malware for distribution through highly victim-oriented phishing repositories. Check Point Research is tracking the threat group behind this service as Stargazer Goblin. The group provides, operates, and maintains the Stargazers Ghost Network and distributes malware and links via their GitHub Ghost accounts. The network distributed all sorts of malware families, including Atlantida Stealer, Rhadamanthys, RisePro, Lumma Stealer, and RedLine. Our latest calculations suggest that more than 3,000 active Ghost accounts are part of the network. Based on core GitHub Ghost accounts, we believe that the network began development or testing on a smaller scale for the first time around August 2022. Check Point Research discovered an advertiser in Dark-Web forums that provides the exact GitHub operation. The first advertisement was published on July 8, 2023, from an account created the previous day. Based on the monitored campaigns from mid-May to mid-June 2024, we estimate that Stargazer Goblin earned approximately $8,000. However, we believe that this amount is only a small fraction of what the actor made during that period. The total amount during the operations’ lifespan is estimated to be approximately $100,000. * Stargazers Ghost Network appears to be only one part of the grand picture, with other Ghost accounts operating on different platforms, constructing an even bigger Distribution as a Service universe.
New York Times warns freelancers of GitHub repo data breach
The New York Times notified an undisclosed number of contributors that some of their sensitive personal information was stolen and leaked after its GitHub repositories were breached in January 2024.
Cyber Criminals Exploit GitHub and FileZilla to Deliver Malware Cocktail
A "multi-faceted campaign" has been observed abusing legitimate services like GitHub and FileZilla to deliver an array of stealer malware and banking trojans such as Atomic (aka AMOS), Vidar, Lumma (aka LummaC2), and Octo by impersonating credible software like 1Password, Bartender 5, and Pixelmator Pro.
GitHub leak exposes Chinese offensive cyber operations – researchers
The leaked documents supposedly discuss spyware developed by I-Soon, a Chinese infosec company, that’s targeting social media platforms, telecommunications companies, and other organizations worldwide. Researchers suspect the operations are orchestrated by the Chinese government. Unknown individuals allegedly leaked a trove of Chinese government documents on GitHub. The documents reveal how China conducts offensive cyber operations with spyware developed by I-Soon, Taiwanese threat intelligence researcher Azaka Sekai claims.
