Cuttlefish Malware is Putting Your Routers at Risk

bash script, brute force hacking, Cuttlefish, Data Breach, HiatusRAT, malware, Ophtek, router firmware update, zero-day vulnerabilities, , , , , , , ,
11
Jun 2024

A new strain of malware, dubbed Cuttlefish, which attempts to hijack your router has been discovered, and it poses a major threat to your data.

The experts at Black Lotus Labs recently discovered a number of routers had been compromised by a previously unseen malware. The security researchers named the malware Cuttlefish, and found it had compromised numerous enterprise-level and small office/home routers. The threat actors are not currently known, but the main impact of Cuttlefish is that it stealthily steals data once it has a foothold. Data breaches, of course, represent a major incident for businesses, so it’s crucial you keep your routers safe.

Decoding the Danger Behind Cuttlefish

The exact attack method behind Cuttlefish is unknown, but it’s been revealed there are similarities between its source code and that of the HiatusRAT malware. Black Lotus Labs believe Cuttlefish may launch its attack either through a zero-day vulnerability or by using good old fashioned brute force hacking methods.

Whatever the nature of its attack, which was first executed in July 2023, Cuttlefish hands control of the compromised router over to a set of threat actors. This is achieved by instructing an infected router to execute a Bash script – a text file containing a set of commands – which sends data to a remote Command & Control (C2) server. The first action taken by the C2 server is to send back the Cuttlefish malware, this is then installed on the compromised router.

From here, Cuttlefish can monitor all traffic passing through the router and any devices connected to it. Cleverly, Cuttlefish is designed to establish a VPN tunnel, which is then used to extract sensitive data, such as login credentials, from the router’s traffic. These attack methods mark Cuttlefish out as a highly stealthy and dangerous strain of malware, one with the ability to expose and misuse confidential data.

Fighting Back Against the Threat of Cuttlefish

As very little of the mechanics behind Cuttlefish are known, it’s difficult to pinpoint a single solution. For now, all the attacks have been focused on routers based in Turkey. But this can quickly change if threat actors behind Cuttlefish decide to start targeting global victims.

While there isn’t, for example, a simple security patch to install, you can still protect your organization’s routers by following these best security practices:

  • Always Install Updates: routers, like all hardware, rely on firmware updated and patches to maintain their security and maximize performance. But not everyone prioritizes installing these updates. And this approach can put your router at risk of being exploited by a vulnerability. Therefore, where possible, automate updates for your routers (and all devices) or manually install updates as soon as possible.
  • Regularly Change Your Router Credentials: it’s vital you regularly change the password associated with your router. Otherwise, you run the risk of allowing external threats to essentially live on your router. And as well as regularly changing your password, it’s important that you generate strong and unique passwords every time.
  • Monitor Network Traffic: unusual activity on your network, such as high-volume traffic to unknown destinations should always be scrutinized. Accordingly, you need to implement specialized software and hardware tools to analyze your network traffic and raise alerts when abnormal traffic patters are detected. This will maintain both the integrity and security of your network.

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

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MadMXShell Delivers Malware via Google Ads

adblocker, google ads, MadMXShell, malware, Ophtek, typosquatting, verify sources, windows backdoor, , , , , , ,
28
May 2024

Thanks to the presence of a previously unknown Windows backdoor, the MadMXShell malware has created digital chaos through the use of Google Ads

Google Ads are a common sight for anyone stepping foot online, and they’re a sure-fire way to guarantee clicks for those behind the advertising campaigns. Naturally, this makes of great interest to threat actors, as not only is malvertising a useful tool for hacking, but it’s also an easy way to lead people to malicious websites. MadMXShell appears to be a complex piece of malware, comprising several attack methods and tools, so it’s crucial that your organization is on guard against it.

How MadMXShell Serves Up its Malware

The threat actor responsible for MadMXShell is yet to be identified, but the effort invested in the attack demonstrates they’re highly skilled. Having created several domains in the IP scanner niche – with similar sounding names to official sites (a technique known as typosquatting) – the threat actor took advantage of the Google Ads algorithm to push them to the top of the search engine results. This was achieved by targeting keywords – words/phrases entered into search engines by those searching for specific content – and ensuring that their click rate was maximized.

Once lured to these malicious websites, it appears that visitors are encouraged to download IP scanner software. But, as you’ve already worked out, there is no IP scanner software to download. Instead, MadMXShell is downloaded and executed. With its strategy made up of a multi-targeted attack, MadMXShell sets to work harvesting data from infected systems. It does this by communicating with command-and-control servers and evades detection by injecting altered code into seemingly legitimate processes.

Curiously, as the entire campaign centers around IP scanning software, it would appear the main target of MadMxShell are IT professionals. Despite being a tough crowd to deceive, MadMXShell has already managed to gain plenty of victims, and underlines the ease with which even professionals can be taken in by malware.

Keeping the Threat of MadMxShell at Bay

It may sound as though MadMxShell is impossible to protect yourself against, especially if IT experts are struggling to defend against its threat. However, by taking the time to consider the validity of content you see online, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to MadMxShell or similar attacks. The most important factors to consider are:

  • Always Verify Sources: before clicking on an online advert, always verify its source. If you’re unfamiliar with a website name then try performing a Google search against it, as this may flag it up as a malicious website. Remember, many attacks will use typosquatting, so it’s important that URLs are double checked e.g. usa.visa.com is official, but usa.v1sa.com is an attempt to fake the official website.
  • If It’s Too Good to Be True: online adverts which are offering unlikely and unrealistic rewards should always be scrutinized closely. While they may not necessarily link you to malicious websites, it’s more than likely that some form of scam/deception is the most likely end point.
  • Use an Adblocker: pop-up adverts are both annoying and a potential security risk, so why not minimize these risks by installing an adblocker into your browser? Easy to operate, and available for free, these browser add-ons allow you to prevent pop-up adverts from being displayed on your screen. Popular adblockers include Adblock Plus, Privacy Badger, and Ghostery.

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

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Financial Firms Targeted by JsOutProx Malware

JavaScript Malware, JsOutProx Malware, malicious code, Ophtek, Phishing Email, ScriptSafe for Chrome, , , , ,
07
May 2024

A new phishing campaign, launched in March 2024, has been targeting financial firms all over the world with the JsOutProx banking trojan.

The JsOutProx malware campaign was first detected by Visa, with their Payment Fraud Disruption team sending out security alerts to stakeholders about the threat. So far, the targets of the attack have been based in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. The identity of the threat actors behind the attack are currently unknown, but it’s speculated they may be China-based or receiving support from China.

Financial malware always has the potential to cause great damage to organizations and individuals, so it’s important you understand the threat posed by JsOutProx.

The Lowdown on JsOutProx

First detected online in 2019, JsOutProx provides remote access to infected PCs by way of a JavaScript backdoor. This foothold allows threat actors to carry out numerous malicious attacks within the infected system. These include downloading further malware, data harvesting, taking screenshots, executing files, and embedding itself deep within the target. Plugins are utilized to launch these attack methods, an indicator this is a sophisticated piece of malware.

JsOutProx relies on JavaScript to carry out its attacks, and this method has been employed to deceive targets. Whereas many PC users understand the threat of a specific file type – such as a Word document or .exe file – they’re less likely to have knowledge of the threat posed by JavaScript code. Additionally, JavaScript coding is unintelligible to many anti-malware tools, so it has the potential to go undetected by software expected to keep PCs secure.

How is the JsOutProx Attack Launched?

Using phishing email techniques, JsOutProx is distributed through emails purporting to be related to MoneyGram or SWIFT payment notifications. However, far from being from genuine financial institutions, the senders behind these emails only have malicious intentions. Once recipients have fallen for the bait in the phishing emails, the JsOutProx code is activated and allows the threat actors to position themselves within the infected PC. Once installed, JsOutProx adopts a number of functionalities to enhance its position, such as changing DNS settings, editing proxy settings, and bypassing User Account Control detection.

Protect Your PCs from JsOutProx

A significant proportion of internet users have access to online banking services, and this is why JsOutProx has maximized its chances of snaring victims. Thankfully, you don’t have to fall victim to JsOutProx and compromise the security of your PC. All you have to do is make sure you practice the following:

  • Protect your browsers from scripts: many malware attacks such as JsOutProx rely on scripts to launch their attack within browsers. Therefore, it makes sense to protect your browsers from malicious scripts. Luckily, this is a relatively simple task thanks to ready-made browser plugins such as ScriptSafe for Chrome. These browser extensions protect you by blocking unwanted content and providing alerts against blacklisted sites which are malicious.

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

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Chinese PC Maker Ships PCs Customized for Malware

Acemagic, Bladabindi, China, info stealers, malware, Ophtek, PC vulnerabilities, Redline, Windows source code, , , , , , , ,
16
Apr 2024

In a highly embarrassing incident for Acemagic, a Chinese PC manufacturer, a number of its products have been shipped with numerous vulnerabilities.

When setting up a brand-new PC out of the box, you would expect it to be highly secure and as protected against current threats as it could be. However, this isn’t always the case. PCs are complex pieces of machinery, packed full of processes, apps and coding to provide the full PC experience. And all of this leaves room for mistakes. Acemagic has learned this the hard way, as have their customers, who have now found their brand-new PCs are vulnerable to countless malware threats.

It’s a nightmare scenario for all involved, so we’re going to look at what’s happened.

The Dangers of Tinkering with Windows Source Code

In a bid to improve the performance of their PCs, Acemagic’s software developers decided to adjust Microsoft’s source code for Windows. This involved altering network settings, but inadvertently resulted in the process of digital signature verification being skipped. Digital signatures are used to verify the authenticity of data passing through PCs, so, without these in place, applications are at risk of being compromised with malware. Acemagic’s aim was to reduce boot times for its customers, but it resulted in the PCs becoming infected with malware.

From bootup, security researchers have been able to discover malware such as Bladabindi and Redline on Acemagic PCs. Both these strains of malware are designated as info stealers, so they have the potential to steal login credentials, financial data, and also download further malware. Additionally, Redline is capable of stealing cryptocurrency.

Acemagic has announced that the software adjustments were stopped on November 18th 2023, but this still leaves a large number of compromised PCs in use by unsuspecting users. Going forwards, Acemagic has pledged to put more focus on digital certificates, a move they claim will be able to stop unauthorized modifications in the future. But the damage to Acemagic’s reputation has been done, and it’s not been helped by the fact that Acemagic has been unable to pinpoint exactly when the malware was downloaded onto their machines.

Staying Safe with New PCs

A new PC should be as safe as you can get, but the Acemagic fiasco has demonstrated how they can be just as dangerous as a PC which is several years old. Therefore, it’s crucial you take precautions when setting up a new PC:

  • Set it up offline: to protect your existing network, it’s a good idea to fully set up your PC before connecting it to your network. Not only does this ensure the PC is correctly configured to join your network, but it also allows you to secure the device and limit the spread of any pre-installed malware.
  • Scan for malware: one of the first things you should do with a new PC is scan it for malware. As we’ve seen with Acemagic, even brand-new PCs can be compromised with malware, so it makes sense to eliminate this threat before it can become active on your network. Running a quick scan with apps such as AVG or McAfee will identify any threats and quickly remove them.

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

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VexTrio Uses 70,000 Hijacked Websites to Spread Malware

ClearFake, Hijacked websites, Malicious traffic distribution system, malvertising, malware, Ophtek, Phishing, SocGholish, TDS, VixTrio, , , , , , , , ,
26
Mar 2024

Threat actors have compromised 70,000 previously legitimate websites and created a powerful network capable of distributing malware.

Named VexTrio, this network of compromised websites appears to have started in 2017, but it’s only more recently that details around its activity have emerged. As well as distributing malware, the VexTrio network also utilizes phishing pages, and allows the VexTrio hackers to harvest login credentials. The campaign is a significant one, and one which is powerful enough to cause harm to anyone who gets caught up in its operations. Therefore, it’s time to take a look at the VexTrio campaign to see what we can learn.

Understanding the VexTrio Network

The VexTrio campaign relies on a malicious traffic distribution system (TDS) to lead unsuspecting internet users to compromised websites. A TDS is, in simple terms, a web application used to analyze and filter incoming traffic and, following the analysis, redirect it to a specific page. Typically, the activities of a TDS are facilitated by malvertising activities or malicious websites. VexTrio favors using malicious websites.

Working with a number of affiliates, many of whom offer access to hijacked websites, VexTrio has managed to amass a sizeable network over the last seven years. And VexTrio are very much the middle-man in the operation. For a fee, VexTrio will feed incoming traffic through their TDS and forward innocent victims towards the websites they’re mostly likely to be interested in. It’s very similar to legitimate advertising networks, but with a vicious sting in its tale.

The malicious websites which comprise the VexTrio network contain a wide range of threats. For example, one of the affiliates, known as ClearFake, tricks users into downloading what is claimed to be a browser update, but is little more than malware. SocGholish, another well-known malware threat, is part of the VexTrio network and uses it to push unauthorized access to corporate websites.

Don’t Fall Victim to VexTrio

The threat of VexTrio is a substantial one, and organizations need to be aware of the damage it can cause. Luckily, you can protect yourself and your IT systems by implementing the following best practices:

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

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