24-October-2023
Welcome to the weekly threat detection update report from Stamus Networks. Each week, you will receive this email with a summary of the updates.
Current Stamus Threat Intelligence (STI) release version: 877
This week, in addition to daily ruleset and IOC updates, we provided Stamus Security Platform customers with the following improved defense(s):
Note: a "method" as referenced below, is a discrete detection vector for a given threat.
The following detections were added to your Stamus Security Platform (SSP) this past week:
The term info stealer is self-explanatory. This type of malware resides in an infected computer and gathers data in order to send it to the attacker. Typical targets are credentials used in online banking services, social media sites, emails, or FTP accounts.
Info stealers may use many methods of data acquisition. The most common are:
hooking browsers (and sometimes other applications) and stealing credentials that are typed by the user using web injection scripts that are adding extra fields to web forms and submitting information from them to a server owned by the attacker form grabbing (finding specific opened windows and stealing their content) keylogging stealing passwords saved in the system and cookies Modern info stealers are usually parts of botnets. Sometimes the target of attack and related events are configured remotely by the command sent from the Command and Control server (C&C). Malwarebytes
Epsilon Stealer - Recorded Future |
Kaspersky researchers have analyzed the risks innocent-looking browser extensions pose to users, finding that, in the first half of 2022, more than 1.3 million users were affected by threats hiding in browser extensions, at least once. That number is over 70% of the total number of users affected throughout all of 2021.
Mimicking popular apps, such as Google Translate or extensions with useful functionality like PDF Converter or Video Downloader, threats in browser extensions can insert advertisements, collect data about users’ browsing histories and even search for login credentials, making it one of the most desirable tools for cybercriminals. Kaspersky
Metador primarily targets telecommunications, internet service providers, and universities in several countries in the Middle East and Africa. The operators are highly aware of operations security, managing carefully segmented infrastructure per victim, and quickly deploying intricate countermeasures in the presence of security solutions. Metador’s attack chains are designed to bypass native security solutions while deploying malware platforms directly into memory. SentinelLabs researchers discovered variants of two long-standing Windows malware platforms, and indications of an additional Linux implant. Sentinelone
The following detections were updated this past week with changes to kill chain phase(s) or MITRE ATT&CK tactic(s)/technique(s):
Magic Hound is an Iranian-sponsored threat group that conducts long term, resource-intensive cyber espionage operations, likely on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. They have targeted U.S. and Middle Eastern government and military personnel, academics, journalists, and organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), via complex social engineering campaigns since at least 2014. MITRE
AdLoad is malicious software that targets macOS operating systems. It is capable of avoiding detection by built-in macOS security tools and a number of third party antivirus programs and other security suites of this type. Furthermore, it prevents victims from removing the software from operating systems. AdLoad is adware-type malware that hijacks browsers and forces users to visit potentially malicious websites. This enables cyber criminals to generate revenue . Pcrisk
The term info stealer is self-explanatory. This type of malware resides in an infected computer and gathers data in order to send it to the attacker. Typical targets are credentials used in online banking services, social media sites, emails, or FTP accounts.
Info stealers may use many methods of data acquisition. The most common are:
hooking browsers (and sometimes other applications) and stealing credentials that are typed by the user using web injection scripts that are adding extra fields to web forms and submitting information from them to a server owned by the attacker form grabbing (finding specific opened windows and stealing their content) keylogging stealing passwords saved in the system and cookies Modern info stealers are usually parts of botnets. Sometimes the target of attack and related events are configured remotely by the command sent from the Command and Control server (C&C). Malwarebytes
Ransom malware, or ransomware, is a type of malware that prevents users from accessing their system or personal files and demands ransom payment in order to regain access. The earliest variants of ransomware were developed in the late 1980s, and payment was to be sent via snail mail. Today, ransomware authors order that payment be sent via cryptocurrency or credit card. Malwarebytes
Attackers are utilizing hacked web sites that promote fake browser updates to infect targets with banking trojans. In some cases, post exploitation toolkits are later executed to encrypt the compromised network with ransomware.
Between May and September 2019, FireEye has conducted multiple incident response cases where enterprise customers were infected with malware through fake browser updates.
Hacked sites would display these "fakeupdates" through JavaScript alerts that state the user is using an old version of a web browser and that they should download an offered "update" to keep the browser running "smoothly and securely".
Phishing is a type of online scam that targets consumers by sending them an e-mail that appears to be from a well-known source – an internet service provider, a bank, or a mortgage company, for example. It asks the consumer to provide personal identifying information. Then a scammer uses the information to open new accounts, or invade the consumer’s existing accounts. There are several tips that consumers can follow to avoid phishing scams, such as not responding to e-mails or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information.
Glupteba is a trojan-type program, malicious software that installs other programs of this type. Cyber criminals distribute Glupteba through malicious advertisements that can be injected into legitimate websites or advertising networks. Research shows that Glubteba can be used to distribute a browser stealer or router exploiter. In any case, this malware should be uninstalled immediately. Pcrisk
The IcedID banking Trojan was discovered by IBM X-Force researchers in 2017. At that time, it targeted banks, payment card providers, mobile services providers, payroll, webmail and e-commerce sites, mainly in the U.S. IcedID has since continued to evolve, and while one of its more recent versions became active in late-2019, X-Force researchers have identified a new major version release that emerged in 2020 with some substantial changes. securityintelligence.com
Mekotio is a typical Latin American banking trojan that has been active since at least 2015. As such, it attacks by displaying fake pop-up windows to its victims, trying to entice them to divulge sensitive information. These windows are carefully designed to target Latin American banks and other financial institutions. welivesecurity
Micropsia is a remote access tool written in Delphi. MITRE
Molerats is a politically-motivated threat group that has been operating since 2012. The group's victims have primarily been in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. MITRE
Remote Access Trojans are programs that provide the capability to allow covert surveillance or the ability to gain unauthorized access to a victim PC. Remote Access Trojans often mimic similar behaviors of keylogger applications by allowing the automated collection of keystrokes, usernames, passwords, screenshots, browser history, emails, chat lots, etc. Remote Access Trojans differ from keyloggers in that they provide the capability for an attacker to gain unauthorized remote access to the victim machine via specially configured communication protocols which are set up upon initial infection of the victim computer. This backdoor into the victim machine can allow an attacker unfettered access, including the ability to monitor user behavior, change computer settings, browse and copy files, utilize the bandwidth (Internet connection) for possible criminal activity, access connected systems, and more. Malwarebytes
It leverages compromised websites and performs some of the most creative fingerprinting checks we’ve seen, before delivering its payload (NetSupport RAT). Malwarebytes
An advanced persistent threat (APT) is a stealthy computer network threat actor, typically a nation state or state-sponsored group, which gains unauthorized access to a computer network and remains undetected for an extended period. In recent times, the term may also refer to non-state sponsored groups conducting large-scale targeted intrusions for specific goals.
Such threat actors' motivations are typically political or economic. To date, every major business sector has recorded instances of attacks by advanced actors with specific goals seeking to steal, spy or disrupt. These include government, defense, financial services, legal services, industrial, telecoms, consumer goods, and many more. Some groups utilize traditional espionage vectors, including social engineering, human intelligence and infiltration to gain access to a physical location to enable network attacks. The purpose of these attacks is to place custom malicious code on one or multiple computers for specific tasks.
Source: Wikipedia
An advanced persistent threat (APT) is a stealthy computer network threat actor, typically a nation state or state-sponsored group, which gains unauthorized access to a computer network and remains undetected for an extended period. In recent times, the term may also refer to non-state sponsored groups conducting large-scale targeted intrusions for specific goals.
Such threat actors' motivations are typically political or economic. To date, every major business sector has recorded instances of attacks by advanced actors with specific goals seeking to steal, spy or disrupt. These include government, defense, financial services, legal services, industrial, telecoms, consumer goods, and many more. Some groups utilize traditional espionage vectors, including social engineering, human intelligence and infiltration to gain access to a physical location to enable network attacks. The purpose of these attacks is to place custom malicious code on one or multiple computers for specific tasks.
Source: Wikipedia
A Trojan downloader is a type of Trojan horse that downloads and installs files, often malicious programs. A Trojan horse is a type of software that looks legitimate but can be malicious in nature. Sometimes these programs can be downloaded onto a device without the user’s knowledge or consent. A Trojan’s purpose is to damage, disrupt, steal, or generally inflict some other harm on your computer and devices. Norton
During a routine threat-hunting exercise, Cyble research labs discovered a dark web post where a malware developer was advertising a powerful Windows RAT. Cyble
The following threat detection(s) were improved this past week with new or updated threat methods.
| Name of threat | New coverage | Total coverage | Last updated | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Detection methods | Kill chain phases | Protocols involved | Detection methods | Kill chain phases | Protocols involved | ||
| APT35 | 6 | command and control | dns, tls, http | 487 | command and control, delivery | dns, ftp, http, tcp, tls, udp | 2023-10-18 |
| AdLoad | 1 | command and control | tcp | 63 | command and control, delivery, installation | http, tcp, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| Banker Stealer | 4 | command and control | dns, http, tls | 402 | actions on objectives, command and control, delivery | dns, http, smtp, tcp, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| DarkGate | 2 | command and control, delivery | http | 22 | actions on objectives, command and control, delivery | dns, http, tls | 2023-10-20 |
| Epsilon Stealer | 3 | command and control | dns, tls, http | 3 | command and control | dns, tls, http | 2023-10-19 |
| Fake Browser | 9 | exploitation | dns, tls, http | 120 | delivery, exploitation | dns, http, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| Fake Service | 9 | command and control | dns, tls, http | 57 | command and control, delivery | dns, http, tcp, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| Glupteba | 9 | command and control | tls | 116 | command and control | dns, http, tcp, tls | 2023-10-20 |
| IcedID | 15 | command and control | dns, tls, http | 808 | actions on objectives, command and control, delivery | dns, http, tcp, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| Malicious Chrome Extension | 9 | actions on objectives, command and control | http, dns, tls | 9 | actions on objectives, command and control | http, dns, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| MataDoor | 1 | command and control | udp | 1 | command and control | udp | 2023-10-19 |
| Mekotio | 1 | actions on objectives | tcp | 13 | actions on objectives, command and control, delivery | dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| Micropsia | 39 | command and control | dns, tls, http | 195 | actions on objectives, command and control | dns, http, tls | 2023-10-20 |
| Molerats | 5 | command and control | http, dns, tls | 131 | command and control, delivery | dns, http, tls | 2023-10-20 |
| RAT Generic | 2 | command and control | http | 81 | actions on objectives, command and control, installation | dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls | 2023-10-20 |
| SocGholish | 3 | command and control | dns, tls, http | 839 | actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, exploitation, reconnaissance | dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls | 2023-10-20 |
| TA4903 | 39 | delivery | dns, tls, http | 162 | delivery | dns, http, tls | 2023-10-19 |
| TA582 | 3 | command and control | dns, http, tls | 11 | command and control | dns, http, tls | 2023-10-17 |
| Trojan Downloader | 4 | command and control, delivery | http | 274 | actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation | dns, http, tcp, tls, udp | 2023-10-19 |
| XWorm | 39 | command and control | tcp-pkt | 895 | command and control, delivery | dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls | 2023-10-19 |
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