Remote Access Trojan Archives

Hacker Targets Over 18,000 Script Kiddies with Malware

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Feb 2025

A hacker has tricked over 18,000 aspiring cybercriminals into downloading a fake malware builder which secretly infects their computers.

Yes, even threat actors can find themselves falling victim to their fellow hackers. In this surprising case, threat actors attempting to access malicious tools for committing cybercrimes were targeted by a more experienced hacker. These beginner hackers – known as “script kiddies” due to their limited skills – were tricked into downloading what they believed was a tool to create malware. Instead, they soon discovered that this ‘tool’ infected their devices.

Naturally, most readers of the Ophtek blog are looking to protect their IT systems rather than committing cybercrimes. Nonetheless, this cautionary tale contains plenty of lessons to be learned for all PC users.

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

At the center of this attack is a weaponized version of a malware creation tool, one designed to generate the XWorm Remote Access Trojan. The attacker uploaded this fake tool to multiple platforms including GitHub repositories, Telegram channels, and YouTube tutorials. Advertised as a free and effective way to create malware, the bait was set to attract victims looking for a shortcut to their hacking goals. And they certainly took the bait, over 18,000 of them.

Unfortunately, once the program was executed, it was far from helpful. Instead of generating malware, the tool set about installing a backdoor on the victim’s PC. This gave the attacker unauthorized access to the now compromised system. With free rein to the infected PC, the threat actor could steal personal information, monitor activity on the PC, and take full control of the device. The attack claimed countless victims, with affected machines reported from the United States to Russia.

Researchers also found that the threat actor included a kill switch within the malware; this was later used to uninstall the malicious software from many of the infected machines. However, some systems remained infected and at risk of being compromised further. Quite why this kill switch was included is a mystery. Hackers rarely want to see their efforts curtailed, but it may be that this particular attack was an experiment or a rehearsal for something much bigger.

How Can Your Protect Your PCs?

This latest attack highlights the risks of downloading software from untrusted sources, even if you happen to be a hacker yourself. So, with everyone at risk of similar attacks, we’ve put together three important tips to keep you safe:

Only Download from Trusted Sources: Make sure you always use reputable and official websites for downloading software. Avoid downloading files from unfamiliar websites, torrent sites, or websites which look suspicious – if in doubt, check with an IT professional.
Use Antivirus Tools: Install and maintain up-to-date software – such as AVG and Kaspersky – on your devices. These tools, which are available as free versions, provide a crucial line of defense against malware threats.
Remain Cautious: Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends and threats – you can make a start by bookmarking the Ophtek blog. Always be suspicious of anything online which sound too good to be true, such as free access to subscriber-only tools, or urgent calls to install vital updates.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT prof essionals.

Remcos RAT Malware Attacks Increase in Q3 2024

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Jan 2025

Malware has a habit of going through periods of intense activity, and this is exactly what the Remcos RAT malware has been up to in Q3 2024.

First detected in 2016, Remcos is somewhat of a veteran of the malware scene, but its activity has ramped up significantly throughout 2024. Reaching a peak during Q3 2024, Remcos has the potential to take control of infected machines remotely, hence the Remote Access Trojan (RAT) attachment to its name. This remote access allows the threat actors behind this latest campaign to both harvest data and monitor PC activities in real time. RATs are nothing new in the world of cybersecurity, but any notable surges in activity are always cause for concern.

To help protect your PCs from falling into the clutches of Remcos, we’re going to dive into the story behind it – and RATs in general – to uncover how they work.

Understanding RATs

The concept of a RAT is simple: they give a threat actor unauthorized remote access to a PC. First detected way back in the 1970s, a RAT is a strain of malware which threat actors use to take control, silently and discreetly, of your PCs.

With a RAT installed, the attackers can quickly gain access to all of your data and applications e.g. passwords, webcams, and microphones. This puts your organization at risk of falling victim to espionage and having your secure data compromised. Typically, RATs are spread via phishing emails or malicious downloads.

Behind the Scenes of Remcos’ Latest Attacks

The current Remcos campaign is interesting as, following investigation by McAfee researchers, it’s been discovered that two Remcos variants are currently active. The first Remcos variant uses a PowerShell script to download malicious files from a remote server and then inject it into a genuine Microsoft tool (RegASM.exe) to help conceal it. The second variant of Remcos is transmitted through phishing emails and exploits a known vulnerability (CVE-2017-11882) to give threat actors remote access.

Both variants are particularly virulent and persistent, with a number of innovative design features ensuring that they remain evasive and can operate under the radar. Remcos encodes its data in Base64 to avoid suspicion and also makes a point of not leaving any additional files on infected hard drives. Furthermore, Remcos edits the registry and startup folders in a way which enables it to load back up on every reboot.

Outsmarting Remote Access Trojans

Luckily, you don’t have to fall victim to Remcos or any other RAT attacks as Ophtek has your back. To help you get your defenses optimized, we’re going to share the three best ways to RAT-proof your IT infrastructure:

Use Antivirus and Keep Software Updated: Make sure all your PCs are protected by strong antivirus software – such as Kaspersky or AVG – which checks for malicious files in real-time. Alongside this measure, regularly update all your PC software to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities.

Be Cautious of Suspicious Emails: It’s critical that all your staff are mindful of the most identifiable signs of phishing emails. Dedicate part of your IT inductions to highlighting the danger of clicking on unexpected email links or attachments, and carry out refreshers on a regular basis. Ultimately, if an employee receives an email which looks slightly strange, they should always check this with an IT professional before taking action.

Practice Strong Password Security: One of the simplest ways to protect your IT systems is by using unique and strong passwords for your PCs and servers. Also, use multifactor authentication where possible, this means that even if an attacker obtains your passwords, there’s a further layer of security standing in their way.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, c ontact your local IT professionals.

Infected GitHub Links Target Financial Services

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Nov 2024

A new malware campaign, targeting finance and insurance sectors, is using infected GitHub repositories to distribute the Remcos remote access trojan (RAT).

GitHub is an online platform which allows software developers to store and share code online. It’s like an online hard drive, but one which is specifically dedicated to coding projects. It’s main use is to foster collaboration between developers and track changes in their code as it evolves. However, as it’s a trusted source, it makes it the perfect target for hackers. On this occasion, the threat actors haven’t been starting malicious repositories. Instead, they’ve been taking advantage of the comments section in legitimate repositories.

The Dangers of GitHub Comments

The GitHub attack in question appears to be targeting genuine open-source repositories, with those affected including HMRC, Inland Revenue, and UsTaxes. These are well-known and trusted repositories. Users wouldn’t expect to be infected by malware visiting these, whereas lesser known and newer repositories pose more of an obvious risk. So, how are the threat actors compromising these accounts? Well, they’re uploading malware files into the comments section.

Although the comment is deleted, the link to file stays in place. Phishing emails are then used to redirect users to the infected link on GitHub. Again, as GitHub is a genuine, trusted platform, these phishing emails are not detected as being suspicious. This puts the recipient at risk of unknowingly downloading and executing the Remcos RAT. This RAT allows threat actors to remotely take control of an infected PC. From here, they can steal your data, execute further commands on your system, and monitor all your activity. This makes the attack highly dangerous and follows in the footsteps of numerous GitHub attacks in the last year.

Staying Safe from Malicious Comments

Your employees may not have anything to do with software development, but the Remcos RAT relies on phishing techniques which could easily deceive them. Therefore, you need to ensure your employees stay safe from this innovative threat. The best way to achieve this is by following these best practices:

Identify Phishing Emails: It’s important that you team understand how to identify a phishing email. These can be highly convincing and often use language of an urgent nature to force recipients into taking actions without thinking. Educating your staff on these telltale signs will minimize the risk of their PCs becoming compromised by malware.
Be Suspicious of Online Links: Whether a link is contained within an email or on a trusted website, you should always be suspicious. These links can often hide malicious content, and this can then be used by threat actors to steal personal data or take control of your PC. Always verify a link with an IT professional before clicking on it.
Use Security Software: You can protect your PCs from malicious links by using security software such as AVG or McAfee. These tools actively scan web traffic and block access to known dangerous sites. They also detect suspicious behaviors, like phishing attempts, and pre-warn you about malicious links, all in real-time. By filtering out harmful content and preventing access to malicious websites, the risk of malware infections is significantly reduced.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

Bandook Malware Strikes Back

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Feb 2024

A new variant of the Bandook malware has been discovered which targets Windows PCs, so it’s crucial you know how to deal with it.

From its earliest detection in 2007, Bandook has been a capable strain of malware. Being a remote access trojan, Bandook’s main objective has always been to take control of infected PCs. However, following a period of inactivity, the malware has recently started a new campaign aimed at a wide range of industries in different locations. And once Bandook takes control of a compromised PC, it can not only launch further malware attacks, but also steal whatever it wants from the PC.

What is the Bandook Malware Attack?

Bandook’s latest campaign starts with a phishing email, one which uses an infected PDF file. Within this file, there is a link which directs users towards a .7z file – a compressed, archive file. Prompted to enter a password – which is detailed in the original PDF file – to access the .7z archive, the victim will unwittingly activate the malware. Once Bandook is active, it will take advantage of the Msinfo32 application – typically used to collate system data – and edits the Window Registry to remain active on the infected PC.

With Bandook fully established on the victim’s PC, Bandook opens a communication channel with a remote command-and-control server. This allows Bandook to receive further instructions from the threat actors behind the attack. From here, Bandook is able to establish additional malware payloads on the PC, and give full control of the PC over to the remote threat actors. This means that the hackers can steal data, kill active processes on the PC, execute applications, and even uninstall the Bandook malware to cover their tracks if necessary.

How Do You Stay Safe from Bandook?

As with many contemporary threats, Bandook relies on a momentary lapse of judgement from the recipient of their initial email. The impact of a single phishing email can lead to devastating results, so it’s essential your staff understand all the telltale signs of a phishing email. With this information at their fingertips, they’re significantly less likely to unleash malware across your IT infrastructure.

But what else can you do? After all, no organization is 100% secure, and it’s likely your defenses will be breached at some point in the future. Well, you can make sure that you identify a breach and minimize its impact by practicing the following:

Use anti-malware tools: security suites such as AVG and McAfee represent fantastic tools for protecting your IT infrastructure. As well as carrying out deep scans across your systems for malware, they also feature tools to block malicious websites and can scan files before they’re downloaded to verify their safety.
Monitor network activity: one of the surest signs of a systems breach is, as featured in the Bandook attack, unusual network activity. Therefore, you should regularly monitor your network activity to identify unusual patterns e.g. prolonged communication with unknown destinations along with downloads from unidentified sources.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is one of the most common forms of malware you are likely to encounter, and it’s crucial you understand what they are.

It’s important for all organizations to be aware of the danger posed by a RAT in terms of cybersecurity. After all, a RAT could easily take down your entire IT infrastructure or compromise your business data. And all it takes is one mistake for your team to fall victim to a RAT. Due to the severity posed by RATs, we’re going to define what a RAT is, how they work, and the best way to defend and protect against this threat.

The Basics of a RAT

A RAT is a strain of malware which is designed to give threat actors unauthorized access and control over a victim’s PC from a remote location. This is always completed without the victim’s consent, a fact made possible by the stealthy nature of a RAT.

For a RAT to succeed, it first needs to infect the victim’s PC, and this can be achieved in the following ways:

Phishing emails may be used to send malicious attachments which, once opened, activate the RAT and allow it to access the PC it is on.
Malicious downloads may be activated by unsuspecting users who are downloading them from illegal file sharing websites.
If hardware and software is not updated regularly, there is a chance that vulnerabilities may be discovered which a RAT can exploit.

RATs are stealthy types of malware and this cloak of invisibility is put in place by changes that the RAT makes to system settings and registry entries. With this deception in place, a RAT is then able to communicate to a command and control (C&C) server located in a remote location. This C&C server allows the RAT to transmit stolen data and, at the same time, gives the threat actor the opportunity to send commands directly to the RAT.

Some notable examples of RATs are ZuroRat from 2022, NginRAT from 2021 and, more recently, the QwixxRAT attack. All of these examples share one key thing in common: their main objective is to cause digital chaos for all those who fall victim. Accordingly, your organization needs to understand how to defend themselves against these threats.

Detecting and Protecting Against RATs

Protecting your IT infrastructure is far from difficult. In fact, as long as you implement the following measures, it’s relatively easy:

Always update your antivirus and anti-malware software. These security suites have the potential to put a strong barrier in place and detect any incoming malware. However, they also rely on regular updates to keep up to date on the latest threats. Therefore, you need to make sure these are put in place to maximize your defenses.
Make sure that network monitoring solutions are implemented to combat unauthorized network access. This means that your IT team will be able to identify unusual network traffic patterns and take actions to shut this down.

Email and web filtering can seriously reduce your risk of falling victim to a RAT. These excellent pieces of software will analyze and block any malicious attachments before they have a chance to reach your email inbox.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Category Archives: Remote Access Trojan