Kaspersky analysis of the backdoor in XZ
Kaspersky analysis of the backdoor recently found in XZ, which is used in many popular Linux distributions and in OpenSSH server process.
A backdoor with a cryptowallet stealer inside cracked macOS software
We review a new macOS backdoor that piggybacks on cracked software to replace Bitcoin and Exodus wallets with malware.
Operation Triangulation: The last (hardware) mystery
Recent iPhone models have additional hardware-based security protection for sensitive regions of the kernel memory. We discovered that to bypass this hardware-based security protection, the attackers used another hardware feature of Apple-designed SoCs.
Analysis of a new macOS Trojan-Proxy
A new macOS Trojan-Proxy is riding on cracked versions of legitimate software; it relies on DNS-over-HTTPS to obtain a C&C (command and control) address. Illegally distributed software historically has served as a way to sneak malware onto victims’ devices. Oftentimes, users are not willing to pay for software tools they need, so they go searching the Web for a “free lunch”. They are an excellent target for cybercriminals who realize that an individual looking for a cracked app will be willing to download an installer from a questionable website and disable security on their machine, and so they will be fairly easy to trick into installing malware as well.
A cascade of compromise: unveiling Lazarus' new campaign
We unveil a Lazarus campaign exploiting security company products and examine its intricate connections with other campaigns
StripedFly: Perennially flying under the radar
Nobody would even suspect the mining malware was merely a mask, masquerading behind an intricate modular framework that supports both Linux and Windows. The amount of effort that went into creating the framework is truly remarkable, and its disclosure was quite astonishing.
Triangulation: validators, post-compromise activity and modules | Securelist
In this report Kaspersky shares insights into the validation components used in Operation Triangulation, TriangleDB implant post-compromise activity, as well as details of some additional modules.
Trojanized Free Download Manager found to contain a Linux backdoor
Kaspersky researchers analyzed a Linux backdoor disguised as Free Download Manager software that remained under the radar for at least three years.
Phishing pages placed on hacked websites
Scammers are hacking websites powered by WordPress and placing phishing pages inside hidden directories. We share some statistics and tips on recognizing a hacked site.
Dissecting TriangleDB, a Triangulation spyware implant
In researching Operation Triangulation, we set ourselves the goal to retrieve as many parts of the exploitation chain as possible. As of now, we have finished analyzing the spyware implant and are ready to share the details.
Investigating ChatGPT phishing detection capabilities
Kaspersky research on ChatGPT capabilities to tell a phishing link from a legitimate one by analyzing the URL, as well as extract target organization name.
QBot banker delivered through business correspondence
In early April, we detected a significant increase in attacks that use banking Trojans of the QBot family. The malware would be delivered through e-mails that were based on real business letters the attackers had gotten access to.
Nokoyawa ransomware attacks with Windows zero-day
in February 2023, Kaspersky technologies detected a number of attempts to execute similar elevation-of-privilege exploits on Microsoft Windows servers belonging to small and medium-sized businesses in the Middle East, in North America, and previously in Asia regions. These exploits were very similar to already known Common Log File System (CLFS) driver exploits that we analyzed previously, but we decided to double check and it was worth it – one of the exploits turned out to be a zero-day, supporting different versions and builds of Windows, including Windows 11. The exploit was highly obfuscated with more than 80% of the its code being “junk” elegantly compiled into the binary, but we quickly fully reverse-engineered it and reported our findings to Microsoft. Microsoft assigned CVE-2023-28252 to the Common Log File System elevation-of-privilege vulnerability, and a patch was released on April 11, 2023, as part of April Patch Tuesday.
Not just an infostealer: Gopuram backdoor deployed through 3CX supply chain attack | Securelist
A DLL named guard64.dll, which was loaded into the infected 3CXDesktopApp.exe process, was used in recent deployments of a backdoor that we dubbed “Gopuram” and had been tracking internally since 2020.
IoC detection experiments with ChatGPT
We decided to check what ChatGPT already knows about threat research and whether it can help with identifying simple adversary tools and classic indicators of compromise, such as well-known malicious hashes and domains.
IT specialists search and recruitment on the dark web
We have analyzed more than 800 IT job ads and resumes on the dark web. Here is what the dark web job market looks like.
DNS changer in malicious mobile app used by Roaming Mantis
Roaming Mantis (a.k.a Shaoye) is a long-term cyberattack campaign that uses malicious Android package (APK) files to control infected Android devices and steal data. In 2022, we observed a DNS changer function implemented in its Android malware Wroba.o.
Stolen certificates in two waves of ransomware and wiper attacks | Securelist
In this report, we compare the ROADSWEEP ransomware and ZEROCLEARE wiper versions used in two waves of attacks against Albanian government organizations.
CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082 – zero-days in MS Exchange
At the end of September, GTSC reported the finding of two 0-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082. The cybersecurity community dubbed the pair of vulnerabilities ProxyNotShell.
Malicious WhatsApp mod distributed through legitimate apps
The malicious version of YoWhatsApp messenger, containing Triada trojan, was spreading through ads in the popular Snaptube app and the Vidmate app's internal store.
Malicious Tor Browser spreads through YouTube
Kaspersky researchers detected OnionPoison campaign: malicious Tor Browser installer spreading through a popular YouTube channel and targeting Chinese users.
DeftTorero TTPs in 2019–2021
Earlier this year, we started hunting for possible new DeftTorero (aka Lebanese Cedar, Volatile Cedar) artifacts. This threat actor is believed to originate from the Middle East and was publicly disclosed to the cybersecurity community as early as 2015. Notably, no other intelligence was shared until 2021, which led us to speculate on a possible shift by the threat actor to more fileless/LOLBINS techniques, and the use of known/common offensive tools publicly available on the internet that allows them to blend in.
NullMixer drops Redline Stealer, SmokeLoader and other malware | Securelist
NullMixer is a dropper delivering a number of Trojans, such as RedLine Stealer, SmokeLoader, Satacom, and others.
RedLine spreads through ads for cheats and cracks on YouTube
An unusual malicious bundle (a collection of malicious programs distributed in the form of a single installation file, self-extracting archive or other file with installer-type functionality) recently caught our eye. Its main payload is the widespread RedLine stealer. Discovered in March 2020, RedLine is currently one of the most common Trojans used to steal passwords and credentials from browsers, FTP clients and desktop messengers. It is openly available on underground hacker forums for just a few hundred dollars, a relatively small price tag for malware.
Good game, well played: an overview of gaming-related cyberthreats in 2022
The gaming industry went into full gear during the pandemic, as many people took up online gaming as their new hobby to escape the socially-distanced reality. Since then, the industry has never stopped growing. According to the analytical agency Newzoo, in 2022, the global gaming market will exceed $ 200 billion, with 3 billion players globally. Such an engaged, solvent and eager-to-win audience becomes a tidbit for cybercriminals, who always find ways to fool their victims. One of the most outstanding examples involves $2 million‘s worth of CS:GO skins stolen from a user’s account, which means that losses can get truly grave. Besides stealing personal credentials and funds, hackers can affect the performance of gaming computers, infecting these with unsolicited miner files.
Kimsuky’s GoldDragon cluster and its C2 operations | Securelist
Kimsuky is a prolific and active threat actor primarily targeting Korea-related entities. In early 2022, we observed this group was attacking the media and a think-tank in South Korea.
Two more malicious Python packages in the PyPI
We used our internal automated system for monitoring open-source repositories and discovered two other malicious Python packages in the PyPI.
Kaspersky report on Luna and Black Basta ransomware
This report discusses new ransomware, that targets Windows, Linux and ESXi systems: Luna written in Rust and Black Basta.
The SessionManager IIS backdoor: a possibly overlooked GELSEMIUM artefact
In early 2022, we investigated an IIS backdoor called SessionManager. It has been used against NGOs, government, military and industrial organizations in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
The hateful eight: Kaspersky’s guide to modern ransomware groups’ TTPs
We want to familiarize the reader with the different stages of ransomware deployment and provide a visual guide to defending against targeted ransomware attacks.