Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence

Daily Threat Briefing • Nov 22, 2024

Geopolitical tensions continue to fuel cyber-espionage, with Russia-aligned TAG-110 launching a campaign targeting Central Asia, East Asia, and Europe. Using custom tools like HATVIBE and CHERRYSPY, the group focuses on government entities, human rights organizations, and educational institutions.

Shifting its focus from gamers to enterprises, XenoRAT is being deployed in a new campaign leveraging Excel XLL files. Researchers uncovered the malware delivering a multi-stage infection chain. This evolution highlights a deliberate pivot toward breaching enterprise networks.

Critical infrastructure is under fire as attackers exploit vulnerabilities in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS. Two flaws have been used to compromise approximately 2,000 firewalls globally, primarily in the U.S. and India. The vulnerabilities enable authentication bypass and administrative control, allowing attackers to tamper with configurations.

Top Malware Reported in the Last 24 Hours

TAG-110 deploys HATVIBE and CHERRYSPY

Insikt Group identified a cyber-espionage campaign conducted by the Russia-aligned threat group TAG-110, targeting organizations in Central Asia, East Asia, and Europe. The group uses custom malware tools HATVIBE and CHERRYSPY to primarily attack government entities, human rights groups, and educational institutions. TAG-110's tactics align with the historical activities of UAC-0063, attributed to Russian APT group BlueDelta (APT28). The campaign aims to gather intelligence on geopolitical developments and maintain influence in post-Soviet states.

Linux backdoors connected to Gelsemium APT

ESET researchers have found two new Linux backdoors called WolfsBane and FireWood that are used for cyberespionage to gather sensitive data like system information, user credentials, and specific files. WolfsBane is associated with the Gelsemium APT group from China, known for targeting organizations in Eastern Asia and the Middle East since 2014. FireWood, on the other hand, is not definitively linked to Gelsemium and may be shared among different China-aligned APT groups. It is connected to a backdoor named Project Wood, used in Operation TooHash in 2005.

XenoRAT adopts unique deployment

Researchers at Hunt uncovered a new deployment of XenoRAT, using Excel XLL files and advanced obfuscation techniques. Traditionally targeting gamers, this version represents a significant shift with implications for enterprise networks. The malicious file, "Payment_Details.xll," serves as a dropper for the XenoRAT payload and another remote access tool. The use of Excel-DNA and ConfuserEx make detection and analysis challenging. The infection chain involves a decoy PDF and multiple stages of execution, ultimately revealing XenoRAT's configuration and C2 server address. The attackers have manipulated timestamps to avoid detection, indicating a focus on breaching enterprise networks.

Top Vulnerabilities Reported in the Last 24 Hours

Over 2,000 PAN-OS firewalls hacked

Thousands of Palo Alto Networks firewalls have been compromised in attacks exploiting two security vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-0012 and CVE-2024-9474) in PAN-OS. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrator privileges, enabling them to tamper with configurations and exploit other vulnerabilities. The CISA has added these vulnerabilities to its KEV Catalog. Approximately 2,000 firewalls have been compromised globally, with the majority in the U.S. and India.

Top Exploited Vulnerabilities of 2023

A VulnCheck report highlighted the top routinely exploited vulnerabilities of 2023, identifying 15 security defects in various products such as Apache, Atlassian, Barracuda, Citrix, Cisco, Fortinet, Microsoft, Progress, PaperCut, and Zoho. The report also mentioned that there are approximately 400,000 internet-accessible systems potentially exposed to attacks due to the availability of public proof-of-concept exploits. Notable vulnerabilities include Log4Shell and Zerologon, which have over 100 and 75 public exploits respectively. Threat actors from various countries, including China, Russia, and Iran, have been linked to exploiting these vulnerabilities.

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Dec 23, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 23, 2024

Compromised npm packages are yet another reminder of the fragility of supply chains in the digital age. Threat actors inserted cryptomining malware into popular packages, impacting hundreds of thousands of users before developers patched and re-released them. The malicious code executed via npm's postinstall script, emphasizing the need for vigilance and prompt updates in package management. IBM’s Cognos Analytics platform has been diagnosed with critical vulnerabilities that could undermine system security and expose sensitive data. Flaws like CVE-2024-51466, an Expression Language Injection vulnerability, and CVE-2024-40695, tied to poor file validation, affect several versions of the platform. IBM recommends urgent upgrades to patched versions to safeguard enterprise systems. In the murky world of Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS), FlowerStorm has emerged as a dangerous new player, potentially taking over from the now-defunct Rockstar2FA. With majority of its attacks focused on U.S. users, the platform is setting its sights on key sectors, raising fresh alarms for cybersecurity defenders.

Dec 20, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 20, 2024

Disguised as a harmless health tool, the BMI CalculationVsn app hid its sinister purpose within the Amazon Appstore. The spyware recorded screens, intercepted sensitive SMS messages, and scanned installed apps, leaving users vulnerable before its removal. However, traces of the app may still linger, necessitating manual removal and device scans. A critical vulnerability in BeyondTrust's Privileged Remote Access products landed on CISA's KEV catalog after reports of active exploitation. Tracked as CVE-2024-12356, the flaw enables attackers to execute commands as a site user, with patched updates now available for self-hosted installations. Copy-paste commands are no longer innocent. Threat actors have weaponized clipboard activity, tricking users into running malicious PowerShell scripts under the guise of software notifications. By exploiting trusted brands and Cloudflare tunnels, they discreetly deploy malware while bypassing conventional defenses.

Dec 19, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 19, 2024

Cybercriminals are pushing the boundaries of their operations, exploiting vulnerabilities in both devices and software ecosystems to widen their reach. The BADBOX botnet, thought to be dismantled, has made a troubling comeback, infecting over 192,000 Android-based devices worldwide. Expanding its scope, BADBOX now compromises high-end smart TVs and smartphones at the supply chain level. Juniper Networks routers are under siege in a botnet campaign deploying the Mirai malware. Exploiting default credentials, the malware scans the internet for vulnerable devices, infecting systems to launch DDoS attacks and execute malicious commands remotely. Juniper strongly advises users to change default passwords, monitor devices for unusual activity, and update firmware. Infected systems require reimaging to fully eradicate the threat. Fortinet has issued urgent patches for critical vulnerabilities in its products, including FortiClient VPN, FortiManager, and FortiWLM. The flaws allow attackers to extract VPN passwords, execute remote code, and access sensitive files. With millions of users at risk, Fortinet urges immediate upgrades to secure versions, highlighting the importance of proactive vulnerability management in today’s threat landscape.

Dec 18, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 18, 2024

Cybercriminals are weaving new layers of deception, blending sophisticated delivery methods with innocuous-looking themes. The FLUX#CONSOLE phishing campaign has been targeting Pakistan with tax-themed lures to deliver a stealthy backdoor. I2PRAT, a malware leveraging the I2P network, is redefining stealth by enabling encrypted, anonymous communication between attackers and infected systems. Delivered through phishing emails that lead to malicious CAPTCHA pages, I2PRAT installs a RAT while disabling system defenses like Microsoft Defender. Meanwhile, vulnerabilities in Apache Tomcat are raising alarms. A critical flaw allows remote code execution via the default servlet, while a DoS vulnerability affects the "examples" web app. The Apache Software Foundation urges users to update to the latest versions to safeguard against these risks. Adding to the chaos, Google Calendar spoofing campaigns have targeted 300 organizations, using altered headers to lure victims into phishing traps. Fake links to Google Forms and Drawings masquerade as cryptocurrency services, stealing personal and financial data from unsuspecting users.

Dec 17, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 17, 2024

Cybercriminals are doubling down on exploiting overlooked vulnerabilities, turning common devices and platforms into tools for covert operations. The FBI issued a warning about HiatusRAT attacks that target web cameras and DVRs, especially Chinese-branded devices with weak passwords and known flaws. Unit 42 researchers uncovered critical vulnerabilities in Azure Data Factory's Apache Airflow integration, exposing cloud infrastructure to potential compromise. Flaws like misconfigured Kubernetes RBAC and mishandled Geneva secrets could allow attackers to exfiltrate data, deploy malware, and gain unauthorized control. Meanwhile, Guardio Labs identified a malvertising campaign called DeceptionAds, responsible for over one million daily ad impressions. The attackers exploit a single ad network to spread fake CAPTCHA prompts, tricking users into running harmful PowerShell commands.

Dec 16, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 16, 2024

The ever-evolving threat landscape continues to target unsuspecting users across industries and platforms. A SocGholish malware campaign recently set its sights on Kaiser Permanente employees, leveraging fraudulent Google Search Ads masquerading as an HR portal. Meanwhile, the Chinese hacking group Winnti has unleashed a new modular backdoor named Glutton, targeting industries in both China and the U.S. This advanced ELF-based backdoor not only enables tailored cyberattacks but also infiltrates other threat actors’ systems by embedding itself in software packages. Ruijie Networks faced scrutiny as researchers uncovered 10 vulnerabilities in its Reyee cloud management platform and OS devices. Among these flaws is Open Sesame, allowing attackers near a Ruijie access point to exploit its cloud connection and infiltrate internal networks. Though Ruijie has patched these vulnerabilities at the cloud level, the findings emphasize the growing risks associated with cloud-enabled devices. Even content creators are under siege, as over 200,000 YouTubers have been targeted in a phishing campaign that mimics major brands. Cybercriminals lure victims with fake collaboration emails containing malware-laden attachments designed to steal credentials and grant remote system access.

Dec 13, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 13, 2024

Malware’s relentless evolution continues to shape the cyber landscape, with threat actors pushing boundaries in espionage and infrastructure disruption. Two spyware families, BoneSpy and PlainGnome, linked to the Russian group Gamaredon, have been identified as tools of surveillance. Both spyware families enable extensive data collection, reinforcing Gamaredon’s focus on espionage. Iranian cyber actors have unleashed IOCONTROL malware to compromise IoT and OT/SCADA systems in critical infrastructure. By exploiting routers and fuel management systems, this malware poses a serious threat to key infrastructure in Israel and the U.S. IOCONTROL is capable of executing commands, sending system information, and even self-deleting to avoid detection, highlighting the increasing risks tied to interconnected devices. Cleo has urged its customers to immediately patch their file-sharing products after the discovery of a vulnerability affecting widely used systems. Despite an earlier patch, the flaw remains exploitable. With exploitation reports rising, firms must secure their systems to mitigate risks associated with this critical bug.

Dec 12, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 12, 2024

Malware threats continue to evolve, targeting both enterprises and individual developers. Zloader’s latest variant leverages a custom protocol for DNS tunneling and advanced anti-analysis features. Meanwhile, a typosquatting attack tricked developers by mimicking the popular TypeScript ESLint plugin’s NPM package, enabling clipboard monitoring and persistence on compromised systems. Researchers revealed details about the AuthQuake vulnerability affecting Microsoft’s MFA system, leaving critical services like Outlook, Teams, and Azure exposed to brute-force attacks. Meanwhile, Siemens Healthineers issued a hotfix to address an SQL injection flaw in its syngo.plaza software that allowed database compromise. Phishing campaigns are becoming increasingly elaborate, with "Aggressive Inventory Zombies (AIZ)" impersonating major retailers like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay, and crypto platforms like Binance and Kraken. The phishing network preyed on unsuspecting users using fake sites and fraudulent chat support.

Dec 11, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 11, 2024

Privacy breaches wear a new mask as EagleMsgSpy, a stealthy spyware tool linked to Chinese law enforcement, was spotted. Active since 2017, this Android-based tool silently intercepts messages from apps like WhatsApp and WeChat, gathering extensive user data and transmitting it securely to C2 servers, raising alarms over state-sponsored surveillance. Microsoft delivered its December 2024 Patch Tuesday, addressing 71 vulnerabilities. Among the fixes is an actively exploited zero-day in the Windows Common Log File System Driver, alongside critical flaws across Remote Desktop Services, Edge, and SharePoint. Scammers turned UAE’s National Day into a playground for fraud, as the Smishing Triad exploited the celebratory buzz. Impersonating law enforcement, these fraudsters used phishing and smishing to manipulate victims, raking in financial gains while exploiting the festive spirit to lower guards.

Dec 10, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 10, 2024

Digital trust took a hit in Southern Asia as WhatsApp became the delivery vector for a sophisticated SpyNote RAT campaign targeting high-profile individuals. Disguised as seemingly benign apps like “Best Friend,” the malware exploited accessibility settings to gain deeper control over devices, enabling location tracking and the reading of text messages. OpenWrt narrowly avoided a potential security catastrophe with a critical flaw in its Attended Sysupgrade feature. The vulnerability, involving command injection and hash truncation, could have allowed attackers to distribute harmful firmware packages to network devices. Meanwhile, cybercriminals launched a new phishing campaign to spread the AppLite Banker malware, targeting Android devices through fake job applications. Masquerading as recruiters from trusted companies, the attackers directed victims to fraudulent websites where they were tricked into downloading a fake CRM app.

Dec 9, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 09, 2024

In a stark reminder of supply chain vulnerabilities, cybercriminals turned a trusted AI library into a covert delivery system for malware. A supply chain attack on the popular ultralytics AI library injected malicious code into two versions, distributing a crypto coinminer and creating backdoor access to compromised environments. Bitcoin's Lightning Network faced a storm of uncertainty. A newly disclosed vulnerability can expose the network's transaction-relay mechanism to jamming attacks, risking financial losses and degraded stability. The flaw allows malicious actors to disrupt Lightning channels, highlighting the fragile intersection of innovation and security in blockchain technologies. Deception ran deep in a phishing campaign against Ukraine's defense sector. Threat group UAC-0185 used emails advertising a fake NATO conference to infect systems with malware. By deploying a remote management program, the attackers gained unauthorized access to messaging and military systems, aiming to compromise Ukraine's security infrastructure.

Dec 6, 2024

Cyware Daily Threat Intelligence, December 06, 2024

BlueAlpha sharpened its arsenal by exploiting Cloudflare Tunnels to obscure its malware staging infrastructure. The Russian-backed group deployed GammaDrop malware against Ukrainian organizations, using advanced techniques like HTML smuggling to bypass email filters and DNS fast-fluxing for stealthy command-and-control. Mitel MiCollab’s unresolved vulnerability exposed enterprises to potential cyber risks despite earlier patches. While two critical flaws, including an authentication bypass, were fixed, a lingering arbitrary file read vulnerability remains open after over 100 days without a vendor-provided solution. Manufacturing firms have become the latest victims of a multi-stage malware campaign. Threat actors disguised malicious LNK files as PDFs, leveraging LOLBins and PowerShell commands to bypass security. The attack deploys tools like Lumma stealer and Amadey bot to siphon sensitive data.