Malicious Macros Target Old Versions of MS Office

anti-malware_software, Brute_Ratel, Havoc, macros, malware, MS_Office, Ophtek, PhantomCore, Phishing, security_updates, , , , , , , , , ,
01
Oct 2024

Macros make our lives easier when it comes to repetitive tasks on PCs, but they’re also a potential route for malware to take advantage of.

The most up to date version of MS Office prevents macros from running automatically, and this is because macros have long been identified as a major malware risk. However, older versions of MS Office still run macros automatically, and this puts the PC running it at risk of being compromised. Legacy software, such as outdated versions of MS Office, comes with a number of risks and drawbacks, but budgetary constraints mean many businesses are unable to update.

Malicious MS Office Macro Clusters

A macro is a mini program which is designed to be executed within a Microsoft application and complete a routine task. So, for example, rather than taking 17 clicks through the Microsoft Word menu to execute a mail merge, you can use a single click of a macro to automate this process. Problems arise, however, when a macro is used to complete a damaging process, such as downloading or executing malware. And this is exactly what Cisco Talos has found within a cluster of malicious macros.

Several documents have been discovered which contain malware-infected macros, and they all have the potential to download malware such as PhantomCore, Havoc and Brute Ratel. Of note is that all of the macros detected so far appear to have been designed with the MacroPack framework, typically used for creating ‘red team exercises’ to simulate cybersecurity threats. Cisco Talos also discovered that the macros contained several lines of harmless code, this was most likely to lull users into a false sense of security.

Cisco Talos has been unable to point the finger of blame at any specific threat actor. It’s also possible that these macros were originally designed as a part of a legitimate cybersecurity exercise. Regardless of the origins of these macros, the fact remains that they have the potential to expose older versions of MS office to dangerous strains of malware.

Protect Your Systems from Malicious Macros

The dangers of malicious macros require you to remain vigilant about their threat. Clearly, with this specific threat, the simplest way to protect your IT systems is to upgrade to the latest version of MS Office. This will enable you to block the automatic running of macros and buy you some thinking time when you encounter a potentially malicious macro. As well as this measure, you should also ensure you’re following these best practices:

  • Always Verify Email Attachments: a common delivery method for malicious macros is through attachments included with phishing emails. This is why it’s crucial that you avoid opening macros in documents which have been received from unknown sources. As with all emails, it’s paramount that you verify the sender before interacting with any attachments.
  • Install All Security Updates: almost all software is regularly updated with security patches to prevent newly discovered vulnerabilities from being exploited. Macros are often used to facilitate the exploitation of software vulnerabilities, so it pays to be conscientious and install any security updates as soon as they’re available.
  • Use Anti-Malware Software: security suites, such as AVG, perform regular, automated scans of your PCs to identify any potential malware infections. In particular, many of these security suites target malicious macros, so they make a useful addition to your arsenal when targeting the threat of macros.

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

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New Malware Used to Target Security Software

BYOVD, DSE, EDRKillShifter, install updates, malware, Ophtek, Russian Hackers, Sophos, , , , , , ,
24
Sep 2024

The hacking collective RansomHub has unveiled a new strain of malware, one which is used to disable security software and leave PCs open to attack.

Discovered by security firm Sophos, RansomHub’s new malware has been dubbed EDRKillShifter. First detected during May 2024, EDRKillShifter carries out a Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attack. The main objective of a BYOVD attack is to install a vulnerable driver on a target PC. With this driver in place, threat actors can remotely gain unauthorized access and get a foothold within the system.

The Story Behind EDRKillShifter’s Attack

EDRKillShifter typically targets Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) security software, leaving PCs at risk of multiple malware attacks. Classed as a ‘loader’ malware, EDRKillShifter delivers a legitimate, yet vulnerable driver onto the target PC. In many cases, it’s been identified that multiple drivers, which are all vulnerable, have been introduced to PCs.

Once the vulnerable drivers have been deployed within the PC, EDRKillShifter executes a further payload within the device’s memory. This payload allows the threat actors to exploit the vulnerable drivers and, as a result, gain access to elevated privileges. This change in privileges gives the attackers the ability to disable EDR software on the machine. And the name of this software is hardcoded into EDRKillShifter’s processes, to prevent it from being restarted.

Attempts to run ransomware on compromised machines has been noted by Sophos and, digging deeper into the EDRKillShifter code, there are strong indicators that the malware originates from Russia. As regards the vulnerable drivers, these are freely available on the Github repository and have been known about for some time.

Preventing the Spread of EDRKillShifter

The mechanics of EDRKillShifter are effective and dangerous but are nothing new. Similar attacks, such as AuKill, have been carried out in the last year, and the technique currently appears popular with threat actors.

Luckily, your organization doesn’t have to fall victim to malware such as EDRKillShifter and its variants. Instead, you can maintain the security of your IT infrastructure by following these best practices:

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

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AMD Chip Vulnerability Exposes Malware Threat

AMD Chip, anti malware, Antivirus, bootkit, install updates, IOActive, malware, Ophtek, Sinkclose, System Management Mode, , , , , , , , ,
10
Sep 2024

A vulnerability has been discovered within AMD processors which has the potential to expose affected PCs to incredibly stealthy strains of malware.

AMD processors are used to power computers, and this is achieved by executing instructions within software applications. Therefore, everything you do on a PC is powered by a processor e.g. running Windows, processing data, and calculations. Some processors are more powerful than others, and the type chosen depends on the user’s need e.g. a diehard gamer will need a high-performance processor to get the best gaming experience, while someone working in a small office will need something less powerful to complete word processing tasks.

As AMD is a highly popular manufacturer of PC processors, we’re going to take a close look at this vulnerability and discuss the impact it could have on your PC users.

Understanding the AMD Chip Vulnerability

The vulnerability in AMD’s chips was discovered by the security firm IOActive, who has named the vulnerability Sinkclose. The flaw was first found in October 2023, but it appears Sinkclose has been present in AMD processors for close to two decades, a remarkable amount of time for a vulnerability to go unnoticed.

Sinkclose affects a specific operating mode within the processors named System Management Mode. This function is used to control systemwide processes including power management and system hardware control. Key to the Sinkclose vulnerability is the fact that System Management Mode also offers high privilege access. And it’s this access which, potentially, could allow a threat actor to run malicious code undetected.

Gaining access deep enough within a PC to even tackle the System Management Mode is difficult for even the most skilled hackers, but it’s not impossible. After infecting a machine with a bootkit – a form of malware which executes very early in the boot process – a threat actor could make their way deep within the system. And if a threat actor does manage to install malware through the Sinkclose vulnerability, the location of the infection means it would survive multiple reinstallations of Windows.

Are You Safe from Sinkclose?

With the Sinkclose vulnerability potentially active since 2006, and IOActive warning that all AMD chips dating back to this period could be affected, the potential damage is huge. AMD has been quick to respond and, since Sinkclose was first identified last year, has been working on an update ever since. Patches for AMD Ryzen and Epyc chips have recently been issued, but clearing up this debacle looks to be a long-term project for AMD.

While the threat is currently difficult to exploit, if threat actors discover an effective method to abuse it, countless PCs could be at increased risk of being compromised. Therefore, it’s crucial you follow these best practices to maintain the security of your PCs:

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

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Poisoned Software Updates Issued after ISP is Hacked

backdoor malware, Chinese hackers, DNS requests, ISP Hack, Malicious alternative IP address, malware, Ophtek, Poisoned Software, ReloadText, software updates, StormBamboo, System Updates, Volexity, , , , , ,
27
Aug 2024

Software updates should always enhance your PC’s efficiency, but the recent breach of an ISP has demonstrated quite the opposite.

This recent compromise appears to have been exploited by StormBamboo, a collection of Chinese threat actors who have been causing digital chaos since 2012. The attack was made possible after StormBamboo breached the defenses of an undisclosed ISP. This allowed StormBamboo to take control of the ISP’s traffic and redirect it for their own malicious gains.

If you’re accessing the internet, even if it’s only for basic email and browsing usage, your business is going to be partnered with an ISP. And this attack by StormBamboo tells a cautionary tale of how you always need to be on your guard.

StormBamboo’s Innovative Attack

Having gained unauthorized access to the ISPs servers, StormBamboo was able to intercept and compromise DNS requests from users of that ISP. A DNS request is a query to provide an IP address for a host name – e.g. en.wikipedia.org. An ISP will provide this IP address and allow the user to visit the required webpage.

However, StormBamboo was able to manipulate these DNS requests and, instead of the legitimate IP address, provide a malicious alternative. No action was required from the end user, and they would be transferred to a malicious domain automatically. In particular, StormBamboo focused on poisoning DNS requests for software updates. These updates were insecure as they were found to not validate digital signatures for security purposes.

As a result of these compromises, StormBamboo was able to deceive victims into downloading malware such as Macma (for MacOS machines) and Pocostick (for Windows devices). For example, users of 5KPlayer, a media player, were redirected to a malicious IP address rather than fetching a specific YouTube dependency. This led to a backdoor malware being installed on affected systems. StormBamboo was then observed to install ReloadText, a malicious Chrome extension used to steal mail data and browser cookies.

Staying Safe from StormBamboo

The attacks carried out by StormBamboo appear to have been active during 2023 and were identified by Volexity, a reputable cybersecurity organization. Volexity’s first step was to get in touch with the ISP and identify the traffic-routing devices which were being compromised. This allowed the ISP to reboot its servers and instantly stop the ISP poisoning. Users of the ISP, therefore, were no longer at risk of being exposed to malware. Further advice on eliminating this specific threat can be found on Volexity’s blog.

Nonetheless, businesses are reminded to remain mindful about malicious activity on their networks. Implementing robust security measures, conducting regular vulnerability assessments, and monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns are all crucial. Additionally, employing advanced threat detection tools and training employees on cybersecurity best practices will further strengthen your defenses. Finally, never forget the importance of keeping software and systems updated with official patches, firmware, and updates.

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

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CrowdStrike Causes Unprecedented Global IT Outage

Cloud Storage, CrowdStrike, cybersecurity, Ophtek, Updates, vulnerability, Windows update, , , , , ,
23
Jul 2024

One of the world’s biggest ever IT failures has caused chaos for major IT infrastructures all over the world. And it was all thanks to a CrowdStrike update.

The damage was caused by a content update for Windows issued by CrowdStrike, a major player when it comes to cybersecurity firms. However, rather than providing an enhanced experience for Windows users, it resulted in many users finding that their PCs crashed. The ‘blue screen of death’ was a common sighting and numerous applications were rendered unusable. The CrowdStrike glitch wasn’t restricted to a small number of individuals either, it went all away the round and affected major organizations.

Understanding the CrowdStrike Flaw

CrowdStrike has been providing security solutions since 2011, and it now offers a wide range of security services. These are provided through cloud-based platforms and have seen CrowdStrike’s profile rise significantly. However, their recent update for their application Falcon Sensor – which analyzes active processes to identify suspicious activity – is responsible for the worldwide outage of IT systems.

Falcon Sensor runs within Windows and, as such, interacts directly with the Windows operating system. Falcon Sensor’s main objective is to protect IT systems from security attacks and system failures, but their latest update achieved the complete opposite. As a result of faulty code within the update, Falcon Sensor malfunctioned and compromised the systems it had been installed on. This led to IT systems crashing and unable to be rebooted.

CrowdStrike were quick to identify the fault as a result of their update, and reassured the global community this was not a global cyberattack. With the fault identified and isolated, CrowdStrike rapidly developed a fix. But the damage had already been done, and many systems remained offline due to the disruption.

Who Was Affected by the CrowdStrike Glitch?

The impact of the faulty CrowdStrike update was of a magnitude rarely seen in the IT world. With many IT infrastructures relying on Windows, countless systems crashed all over the world. Airport services were badly hit, and lots of airlines had to ground their planes due to IT issues. Banks and credit card providers were also affected, and numerous organizations were unable to take card payments as a result. Healthcare services, too, felt the full impact of the glitch and struggled to book appointments and allocate staff shifts.

The Aftermath of the CrowdStrike Disaster

Disruption to IT systems was still evident days after the CrowdStrike incident, and it’s expected this disruption will continue. Matters weren’t helped by the simultaneous failure of Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing platform, which also created a major outage.

While the outages were caused by a technical glitch, CrowdStrike issued an announcement the day after that cybercriminals may be targeting affected systems. Evidence in Latin America indicated CrowdStrike customers were being targeted by a malicious ZIP archive which contains HijackLoader, a module used to install various strains of malware.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, this digital catastrophe was caused by a faulty piece of code, and Microsoft currently estimate it affected 8.5 million Windows devices. It could easily happen again and reinforces the need for good backup protocols, such as the 3-2-1 backup method. The CrowdStrike glitch may have been unforeseen, but with the correct preparation, you can minimize the impact of future incidents on your IT systems.

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

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