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XZ Utils Library
Backdoor Information Security Linux Linux Security Vulnerabilities and Exploits XZ Utils Library

Unveiling the XZ Utils Backdoor: A Wake-Up Call for Linux Security

 

The recent discovery of a backdoor in the XZ Utils, a vital tool for lossless data compression on Linux, has sent shockwaves through the tech community. This revelation poses a significant risk to nearly all Linux systems, prompting urgent concerns about cybersecurity and system integrity. 

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system, a reference for publicly known information-security vulnerabilities, assigned a severity score of 10/10 to the Linux XZ Utils backdoor. This rating underscores the gravity of the situation and underscores the urgent need for action. 

The initial detection of the backdoor was made by Andres Freund, a PostgreSQL developer at Microsoft. Freund noticed unusual SSH login delays and CPU usage spikes on a Debian Linux system, leading to an investigation that uncovered the presence of the backdoor in the XZ Utils. This discovery exposed countless Linux servers and workstations to potential attacks, highlighting the widespread impact of the vulnerability. 

The backdoor was cleverly concealed within binary files in the XZ Utils’ test folder, encrypted using the XZ library itself, making it difficult to detect. While systems running Debian or Red Hat Linux distributions were particularly vulnerable, Arch Linux and Gentoo Linux appeared to be spared due to their unique system architectures. The malware exploited an audit hook in the dynamic linker, a fundamental component of the Linux operating system, enabling attackers to execute code remotely at the system level. 

This capability granted them full control over compromised systems, posing severe risks such as data theft, system disruption, and the deployment of additional malware or ransomware. Further investigations revealed that the breach of the XZ repository was a sophisticated and well-coordinated effort, likely involving multiple individuals. This complexity raises concerns about the extent of the damage and the potential for other undiscovered vulnerabilities. 

The attack's sophistication suggests a deep understanding of the Linux ecosystem and the XZ Utils, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures in open-source software development. Immediate steps, such as updating to patched versions of XZ Utils or reverting to safe earlier versions, are crucial for system security. This incident serves as a wake-up call for the Linux community to reassess its security practices and strengthen defenses against future attacks. 

Rigorous code reviews, increased use of security auditing tools, and fostering transparency and collaboration among developers and security researchers are essential steps to mitigate similar threats in the future. As the tech community grapples with the implications of this backdoor, ongoing research is underway to determine the full extent of the threat. This incident underscores the critical importance of system security and the need for continuous vigilance against evolving cyber threats. Together, we must learn from this experience and work towards building a more secure and resilient Linux ecosystem.
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XDealer
DinodasRat Linux malware Robust security XDealer

Linux Servers Targeted by DinodasRAT Malware




Recently, cybersecurity experts have noticed a concerning threat to Linux servers worldwide. Known as DinodasRAT (also referred to as XDealer), this malicious software has been identified targeting systems running Red Hat and Ubuntu operating systems. The campaign, suspected to have been operational since 2022, signifies a growing concern for server security.

While the Linux variant of DinodasRAT has been detected, details about its operation remain limited. However, previous versions have been traced back to 2021, indicating a persistent threat. Notably, DinodasRAT has previously targeted Windows systems in a campaign dubbed 'Operation Jacana,' focusing on governmental entities.

Trend Micro reported on the activities of a Chinese APT group identified as 'Earth Krahang,' utilising XDealer to breach both Windows and Linux systems of governmental organisations globally. This revelation underlines the severity and scope of the threat posed by DinodasRAT.

According to insights provided by Kaspersky researchers, the Linux version of DinodasRAT exhibits sophisticated behaviour upon execution. It establishes persistence on the infected device through SystemV or SystemD startup scripts and creates a hidden file acting as a mutex to prevent multiple instances from running simultaneously. Furthermore, the malware communicates with a command and control (C2) server via TCP or UDP, ensuring secure data exchange through encryption algorithms.

DinodasRAT possesses a range of capabilities designed to monitor, control, and exfiltrate data from compromised systems. These include tracking user activities, executing commands from the C2 server, managing processes and services, offering remote access to the attacker, proxying communications, downloading updates, and self-uninstallation to erase traces of its presence.

Kaspersky researchers emphasise that DinodasRAT provides threat actors with complete control over compromised systems, enabling data exfiltration and espionage. The malware primarily targets Linux servers, with affected victims identified in China, Taiwan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan since October 2023.

Despite the severity of the threat, details regarding the initial infection method remain undisclosed. Nevertheless, the sudden rise of DinodasRAT underscores the insistence on robust cybersecurity measures, especially for organisations relying on Linux servers for critical operations.

As cybersecurity experts continue to monitor and analyse this surge in upcoming threats, proactive measures such as regular system updates, network monitoring, and employee training on security best practices become increasingly crucial in safeguarding against sophisticated threats like DinodasRAT. 


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Vulnerabilities and Exploits
cyber threat Device Security Linux Malware Attack Vulnerabilities and Exploits

Shim Bug Uncovered: A Ten-Year Security Breach in Linux Boot Loaders

 

In the dynamic realm of cybersecurity, discovering a significant flaw in every Linux boot loader signed in the past decade has underscored the pervasive nature of potential threats. This blog explores the intricacies of the Shim bug, its implications for Linux systems, and the urgent response required to mitigate its impact. 

The Shim bug, a critical vulnerability affecting Linux boot loaders, has sent security experts into a heightened state of alert. The flaw lies in the code of the Shim bootloader, a crucial component in the Secure Boot process designed to ensure the integrity of the boot sequence. The bug itself has silently persisted for an astounding ten years, evading detection until now. 

The far-reaching impact of the Shim bug cannot be overstated, as it compromises the security of every Linux boot loader signed over the past decade. Secure Boot, a fundamental security feature, is designed to prevent the loading of unsigned or malicious code during the boot process. However, this vulnerability allows threat actors to bypass these protections, opening the door to unauthorized access, malware injection, and other malicious activities. 

The longevity of the Shim bug's existence without detection raises questions about the efficacy of current security measures and the challenges inherent in identifying hidden vulnerabilities. Its discovery highlights the need for ongoing scrutiny, even of well-established and seemingly secure components within the Linux ecosystem. 

Addressing the Shim bug requires a swift and coordinated response from the Linux community. Developers and maintainers work diligently to release patches and updates addressing the vulnerability. Additionally, Linux users are urged to update their systems promptly, applying the necessary patches to safeguard their devices from potential exploitation. 

The Shim bug emphasizes the collaborative nature of the open-source community, where rapid identification and response to vulnerabilities are paramount. Developers, security experts, and Linux users alike must work in unison to fortify the security infrastructure of the operating system and ensure a resilient defence against emerging threats. 

The discovery of the Shim bug serves as a poignant reminder of the ever-evolving threat landscape and the importance of continuous vigilance in cybersecurity. It prompts a reevaluation of existing security practices, encouraging the adoption of proactive measures to detect and address vulnerabilities before they become decade-long silent menaces. 

As the Linux community grapples with the repercussions of the Shim bug, the broader cybersecurity landscape is reminded of the persistent challenges in securing complex systems. The discovery and swift response to such critical vulnerabilities are integral to maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of open-source platforms like Linux. The lessons learned from the Shim bug should fuel ongoing efforts to fortify security measures, ensuring a resilient defence against future threats in the ever-changing realm of cybersecurity.
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Vulnerabilities and Exploits
Android App Safety Apple Bluetooth GitHub Linux Linux Servers macOS Vulnerabilities and Exploits

Bluetooth Security Flaw Strikes Apple, Linux, and Android Devices

Vulnerabilities in the constantly changing technology landscape present serious risks to the safety of our online lives. A significant Bluetooth security weakness that affects Apple, Linux, and Android devices has recently come to light in the cybersecurity community, potentially putting millions of users at risk of hacking.

The flaw, identified as CVE-2023-45866, was first brought to light by security researchers who detected a potential loophole in the Bluetooth communication protocol. The severity of the issue lies in its capability to allow hackers to take control of the targeted devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, and even remote manipulation.

Security experts from SkySafe, a renowned cybersecurity firm, delved into the intricacies of the vulnerability and disclosed their findings on GitHub. If successfully employed, the exploit could lead to a myriad of security breaches, prompting urgent attention from device manufacturers and software developers alike.

Apple, a prominent player in the tech industry, was not exempt from the repercussions of this Bluetooth bug. The flaw could potentially enable hackers to hijack Apple devices, raising concerns among millions of iPhone, iPad, and MacBook users. Apple, known for its commitment to user security, has been swift in acknowledging the issue and is actively working on a patch to mitigate the vulnerability.

Linux, an open-source operating system widely used across various platforms, also faced the brunt of this security loophole. With a significant user base relying on Linux for its robustness and versatility, the impact of the Bluetooth flaw extends to diverse systems, emphasizing the urgency of a comprehensive solution.

Android, the dominant mobile operating system, issued a security bulletin addressing the Bluetooth vulnerability. The Android Security Bulletin for December 2023 outlined the potential risks and provided guidance on necessary patches and updates. As the flaw could compromise the security of Android devices, users are strongly advised to implement the recommended measures promptly.

Cybersecurity experts stated, "The discovery of this Bluetooth vulnerability is a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required in the digital age. It underscores the importance of prompt action by manufacturers and users to ensure the security and integrity of personal and sensitive information."

This Bluetooth security issue serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing fight against new cyber threats as the tech world struggles with its implications. In order to strengthen its commitment to a secure digital future, the IT industry is working together with developers, manufacturers, and consumers to quickly identify and fix vulnerabilities.

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Windows
Ad Blockers Data Breach Linux Phishing Attacks Ransomware Attacks. Software VMware Windows

Abyss Locker Ransomware Targets VMware ESXi Servers on Linux

The infamous Abyss Locker ransomware has surfaced as a significant threat to Linux users, primarily targeting VMware ESXi servers. This is worrying news for cybersecurity experts and server managers. Security experts are concerned about this ransomware's potential damage to vital server infrastructure.

According to reports from reliable sources, the Linux version of Abyss Locker is specifically made to take advantage of vulnerabilities in VMware ESXi servers, which are frequently used in data centers and enterprise settings.

Targeted servers are thought to be accessed by ransomware using well-known security flaws, frequently made possible by incorrect setups or unpatched software. Upon entering the system, Abyss Locker employs encryption algorithms to secure important files and databases, making them unavailable to authorized users of the server.

Cybersecurity news source BleepingComputer stated that "Abyss Locker demands a substantial Bitcoin ransom, and the threat actors behind the attacks have set a strict deadline for payment." If the instructions are not followed within the allotted time, the encrypted data may be permanently lost or the ransom price may rise."

The appearance of the Linux variant indicates a change in the strategies used by ransomware developers. Historically, ransomware attacks have primarily targeted Windows-based computers. This new discovery, however, suggests that there is increasing interest in breaking into Linux-based servers, which are frequently used to host important websites, databases, and apps.

Experts and researchers in security are hard at work examining the behavior of ransomware to identify any vulnerabilities that might help in the creation of decryption software or defense mechanisms. They encourage businesses to lower their vulnerability to these kinds of attacks by keeping their software up to date, installing security patches as soon as possible, and adhering to recommended server hardening procedures.

The main emphasis should be on prevention rather than reaction, as is the case with many ransomware strains. An organization's capacity to repel ransomware attacks can be greatly increased by putting strong security measures in place, backing up data often, and implementing intrusion detection systems.

The scenario is obviously worrying, but it also emphasizes how constantly changing cyber threats are. It is a clear reminder that businesses need to be proactive and watchful in protecting their systems from the newest threats and weaknesses.

To keep ahead of attackers, the cybersecurity community keeps in touch and exchanges information. Affected firms should implement security best practices and notify law enforcement authorities, such as local law enforcement or national cybersecurity authorities, of any ransomware attacks.

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zero-day
Anonymous Data Breach ICAN Italy Kali Linux PowerShell servers Software Trojan unauthorised access zero-day

Global Ransomware Attack Targets VMware ESXi Servers



Cybersecurity firms around the world have recently warned of an increase in cyberattacks, particularly those targeting corporate banking clients and computer servers. The Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) recently reported a global ransomware hacking campaign that targeted VMware ESXi servers, urging organisations to take action to protect their systems.

In addition, Italian cybersecurity firm Cleafy researchers Federico Valentini and Alessandro Strino reported an ongoing financial fraud campaign since at least 2019 that leverages a new web-inject toolkit called drIBAN. The main goal of drIBAN fraud operations is to infect Windows workstations inside corporate environments, altering legitimate banking transfers performed by the victims and transferring money to an illegitimate bank account.

These accounts are either controlled by the threat actors or their affiliates, who are then tasked with laundering the stolen funds. The fraudulent transactions are often realized by means of a technique called Automated Transfer System (ATS) that's capable of bypassing anti-fraud systems put in place by banks and initiating unauthorized wire transfers from a victim's own computer.

The operators behind drIBAN have become more adept at avoiding detection and developing effective social engineering strategies, in addition to establishing a foothold for long periods in corporate bank networks. Furthermore, there are indications that the activity cluster overlaps with a 2018 campaign mounted by an actor tracked by Proofpoint as TA554 targeting users in Canada, Italy, and the U.K.

Organisations need to be aware of these threats and take immediate action to protect their systems from cyberattacks. The ACN has reported that dozens of Italian organisations have been likely affected by the global ransomware attack and many more have been warned to take action to avoid being locked out of their systems.


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User Privacy
Air-Gapped Computers Encryption keylogger Linux malware Phishing Attacks South Korea User Privacy

Korean University Disclosed a Potential Covert Channel Attack

The School of Cyber Security at the Korean University in Seoul has developed a novel covert channel attack called CASPER that may leak data from air-gapped computers to a nearby smartphone at a pace of 20 bits per second. 

What is CASPER?

Casper is a 'recognition tool,' built to characterize its targets and decide whether or not to keep tracking them. Prior to introducing more advanced persistent malware into the targeted systems for espionage, the Casper surveillance virus was employed as a starting point.

Data leak

The target needs to first be infected with malware by a rogue employee or a cunning attacker with physical access, which is the case with nearly all personal channel attacks that target network-isolated systems.

Attacks utilizing external speakers have been created in the past by researchers. External speakers are unlikely to be employed in air-gapped, network-isolated systems used in harsh settings like government networks, energy infrastructure, and weapon control systems.

The malicious software has the ability to search the target's filesystem on its own, find files or data formats that match a hardcoded list, and make an exfiltration attempt.

Keylogging is a more realistic option and is better suited for such a slow data transmission rate. The malware will use binary or Morse code to encrypt the information to be stolen from the target and then transmit it through the internal speaker utilizing frequency modulation to create an undetectable ultrasound between 17 kHz and 20 kHz.

The researchers tested the proposed model using a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 as the receiver and an Ubuntu 20.04-based Linux computer as the target. Both were running a simple recorder application with a sampling frequency of up to 20 kHz.

In the Morse code study, the researchers employed 18 kHz for dots and 19 kHz for dashes, with a length per bit of 100 ms. The smartphone, which was 50 cm away, was able to interpret the word 'covert' that was sent. In the binary data study, each bit had a length of 50 ms and was transferred at a frequency of 18 kHz for zeros and 19 kHz for ones. Nonetheless, the overall experiment findings demonstrate that the length per bit impacts the bit error rate, and a max reliable transmitting bit rate of 20 bits/s is possible when the length per bit is 50 ms.

A standard 8-character password could be transmitted by the malware in around 3 seconds at this data transfer rate, while a 2048-bit RSA key could be transmitted in roughly 100 seconds. Even under ideal conditions and with no interruptions, anything larger than that, such as a little 10 KB file, would take longer than an hour to escape the air-gapped system.

"Because sound can only transmit data at a certain speed, our technology cannot transmit data as quickly as other covert channel technologies using optical or electromagnetic methods." – Korea University.

The attack is limited since internal speakers can only emit sound in a single frequency band. Changing the frequency band for several simultaneous transmissions would be a solution to the slow data rate. The simplest method of defense against the CASPER assault was to turn off the internal speakers in mission-critical computers, which was disclosed by the researchers. The defense team could also use a high-pass filter to keep all created frequencies inside the range of audible sound, preventing ultrasonic transmissions. 





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Windows
Android Atlas VPN AV-ATLAS Cyber Criminals Linux macOS malware Malware Threats Operating system Windows

Linux Malware Records a New High in 2022


While more and more devices are adopting Linux as their operating system, the popularity of the software has nonetheless attracted cyber-criminals. According to recent reports, the number of malware aimed at the software increased dramatically in 2022. 

As per the reports from observations made by Atlas VPN based on data from threat intelligence platform AV-ATLAS, as many as 1.9 million Linux malware threats were observed in 2022, bringing the figure up 50% year-on-year. 

The reports further claimed that most of the Linux malware samples were discovered in the first three months of the year. 

 Secure Operating System

In Q1 2022, researchers identified 854,690 new strains. The number later dropped by 3% in Q2, detecting 833,065 new strains. 

The number of new detections fell 91% to 75,841 in the third quarter of the year, indicating that Linux malware developers may have taken their time off. The numbers increased once more in the fourth quarter of the year, rising by 117% to 164,697. 

Despite the researcher’s observations, Linux remains one of the “highly secure operating systems.” 

“The open-source nature of Linux allows for constant review by the tech community, leading to fewer exploitable security vulnerabilities. Additionally, Linux limits administrative privileges for users and compared to more widely used operating systems like Windows, it still has less malware targeting it,” the researchers added. 

While threat actors will not stop chasing flaws in the world’s fifth most popular operating systems, businesses and consumers alike must also be on the lookout, the researchers concluded. 

Although Linux is not as popular as Windows or macOS, it is still a widely used operating system. From Android devices (which are built on Linux) to Chromebooks, video cameras, and wearable devices, to all kinds of servers (web servers, database servers, email servers, etc.) there are more than 32 million endpoints operating on Linux.  

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Zero-Day Attack
BoldMove Backdoor Chinese Actors Fortinet Fortinet FortiOS FortiOS Google Hackers Linux Mandiant Threat Intelligence Vulnerabilities and Exploits zero-day Zero-Day Attack

Hackers Designs Malware for Recently Patched Fortinet Zero-Day Vulnerability


Researchers who recently disclosed and patched the zero-day vulnerability in Fortinet's FortiOS SSL-VPN technology have identified a new backdoor, specifically created in order to run on Fortinet’s FortiGate firewalls. 

Initial evidence collected by Google-owned security firm Mandiant suggests that the exploitation occurred in October 2022, nearly two months before the vulnerability was patched. Targets included a government entity in Europe and a managed services provider in Africa. 

According to a report published by Mandiant, the malware appears to have been created by a China-based threat actor that conducts cyber-espionage operations against individuals and groups associated with the government. 

It is the most recent instance of attackers from the country attacking firewalls, IPS, IDS, and other technologies used by businesses to secure their networks that are internet-facing. 

BoldMove Backdoor 

The attacks involved the use of a sophisticated backdoor known as BOLDMOVE, a Linux variant created especially to run on Fortinet's FortiGate firewalls. 

The intrusion vector in question is the exploitation of CVE-2022-42475, a heap-based buffer overflow flaw in FortiOS SSL-VPN that could allow for unauthenticated remote code execution through carefully constructed requests. 

Earlier this month, Fortinet revealed that the unidentified hacking groups had taken advantage of the flaw to attack governments and other major institutions with a generic Linux implant capable of delivering additional payloads and carrying out remote server commands. 

Mandiant findings also indicate that the hackers managed to exploit the zero-day vulnerability to their advantage, accessing target networks for espionage operations. "With BOLDMOVE, the attackers not only developed an exploit, but malware that shows an in-depth understanding of systems, services, logging, and undocumented proprietary formats," Mandiant added. 

The BoldMove Backdoor malware, written in C, is apparently available in both Windows and Linux versions, with the latter being able to read data from a Fortinet-exclusive file format. 

Moreover, according to Fortinet’s report, an extended Linux sample comes with a feature that allows attackers to disable and manipulate logging features in order to evade detection. Despite the fact that no copies of the backdoor have been found in the wild, metadata analysis of the Windows variations reveals that they were created as early as 2021. 

"The exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities in networking devices, followed by the installation of custom implants, is consistent with previous Chinese exploitation of networking devices," Mandiant noted. 

Schooled in FortiOS 

Meanwhile, Fortinet itself described the malware as a variant of “generic” Linux backdoor designed by threat actors for FortiOS. According to the company's analysis, affected systems may have had the malicious file disguising itself as a part of Fortinet's IPS engine. 

According to Fortinet, one of the malware's more advanced features included manipulating FortiOS log-in to avoid detection. The malware can search FortiOS for event logs, decompress them in memory, and search for and delete a specific string that allows it to reconstruct the logs. The malware can also completely disable logging processes. 

"The complexity of the exploit suggests an advanced actor and that it is highly targeted at governmental or government-related targets," says Fortinet. 

Fortinet adds that designing the malware would have required the threat actors to have a “deep understanding” of the FortiOS and its underlying hardware. "The use of custom implants shows that the actor has advanced capabilities, including reverse-engineering various parts of FortiOS," the vendor said.  

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Ransomware
Bots Cryptominers Digital Infrastructure Firewalls Linux Linux Servers malware Ransom Ransomware

This Linux Malware Bombards Computers with DDoS Bots and Cryptominers

 

Security experts have discovered a new Linux malware downloader that uses cryptocurrency miners and DDoS IRC bots to attack Linux servers with weak security. After the downloader's shell script compiler (SHC) was uploaded to VirusTotal, researchers from ASEC found the attack. It appears that Korean users were the ones who uploaded the SHC, and Korean users are also the targets. 

Additional research has revealed that threat actors target Linux servers with weak security by brute-forcing their way into administrator accounts over SSH. Once inside, they'll either set up a DDoS IRC bot or a cryptocurrency miner. XMRig, arguably the most well-liked cryptocurrency miner among hackers, is the miner that is being used.

It generates Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency whose transactions appear to be impossible to track and whose users are allegedly impossible to identify, using the computing power of a victim's endpoints.

Threat actors can use the DDoS IRC bot to execute commands like TCP Flood, UDP Flood, or HTTP Flood. They can execute port scans, Nmap scans, terminate various processes, clear the logs, and other operations. Malicious deployments are continuously thrown at Linux systems, most frequently ransomware and cryptojacking.

"Because of this, administrators should use passwords that are difficult to guess for their accounts and change them periodically to protect the Linux server from brute force attacks and dictionary attacks, and update to the latest patch to prevent vulnerability attacks," ASEC stated in its report. "Administrators should also use security programs such as firewalls for servers accessible from outside to restrict access by attackers."

The continued success of Linux services in the digital infrastructure and cloud industries, as well as the fact that the majority of anti-malware and cybersecurity solutions are concentrated on protecting Windows-based devices, according to a VMware report from February 2022, put Linux in a risky situation.
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Wordpress Vulnerability
Command and Control(C2) Linux Malicious actor Plugin Flaws Spyware URL Vulnerabilities and Exploits Wordpress Vulnerability

WordPress Sites Hit by New Linux Malware

According to an analysis by cybersecurity company Dr. Web, WordPress-based websites are being targeted by an unidentified Linux malware variant.

Recognized as LinuxBackDoor.WordPressExploit.1, while it can also operate on 64-bit Linux versions, the Trojan favors 32-bit versions. 30 vulnerabilities in numerous outdated WordPress plugins and themes have been used by Linux malware.  

Injecting harmful JavaScript into the webpages of websites using the WordPress content management system (CMS) is its primary purpose. The malware may be the malicious instrument that hackers have used for more than three years to perform specific attacks and generate income from the resale of traffic, or arbitrage, based on a study of an unearthed trojan program undertaken by Doctor Web's specialists. 

Malicious actors can remotely operate a Trojan by sending its command and control (C&C) server the URL of the site they want to infect. Threat actors can also remotely disable the spyware, turn it off, and stop recording its activities. 

The researchers described how the process works, adding that if a plugin or theme vulnerability is exposed, the injection is done so that, irrespective of the original contents of the page, the JavaScript would be launched first when the infected page is loaded. By clicking any part of the compromised website, users will be sent to the attackers' preferred website.

Additionally, it can take advantage of many plugins' flaws, including the Brizy WordPress Plugin, the FV Flowplayer Video Player, and the WordPress Coming Soon Page.

According to Dr. Web, both Trojan variants include unreleased functionality for brute-force hacking the admin access of selected websites. Applying well-known logins and passwords while utilizing specialized vocabulary can accomplish this.

The researchers issued a warning, speculating that hackers may be considering using this feature in further iterations of the malware. Cybercriminals will even be able to effectively attack some of the websites that utilize current plugin versions with patched vulnerabilities.

WordPress is reportedly used by 43% of websites, making it a CMS that cybercriminals aggressively target.WordPress website owners are recommended by Dr. Web to update all parts of their platforms, including any third-party add-ons and themes, and to use secure passwords for their accounts.

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Trojan
cryptomining malware Linux malware RAT Remote Access Trojan Trend Micro Trojan

This Linux-Targeting Malware is Becoming Even More Potent


A trojan software has been added to the capabilities of a cryptomining malware campaign that targets Linux-based devices and cloud computing instances, potentially making attacks more severe. 

This cryptomining campaign, as described by cybersecurity experts at Trend Micro, uses Linux computers' processing power, in order to sneakily compromise Linux servers and mine for Monero. 

Cryptomining attacks are frequently distributed by utilizing common cybersecurity flaws or by being concealed inside cracked software downloads. 

One compromised system is unlikely to generate much profit from cryptomining malware, but attackers infect a vast network of compromised servers and computers to produce as much cryptocurrency as possible, with the related energy bill being unknowingly carried by the victim. 

Because the affected user is unlikely to notice the decrease in system performance unless the machine is pushed to its limit, the attacks usually go unnoticed. Large networks of infected systems can thus generate a consistent income for threat actors, which is why this method has become a prevalent form of malware. 

Remote Access Trojan (RAT) 

Cryptojacking campaign comprises a remote access trojan (RAT) in its attacks – the reason why it stands out from other cyberthreat campaigns. Chaos RAT, a trojan malware is free and open source, and allows threat actors to take charge of any operating system. 

The RAT is downloaded with XMRig miner, which is utilized by threat actors in order to mine cryptocurrency, comprising of a shell script which is used to eliminate competing miners that could have previously been set up on the system. 

Chaos RAT has a variety of potent functions, like the ability to download, upload and delete files, take screenshots, access file explorer, as well as open URLs. 

In a blog post, written by Trend Micro researchers David Fisher and Oliveira, stated, “On the surface, the incorporation of a RAT into the infection routine of a cryptocurrency mining malware might seem relatively minor […] However, given the tool's array of functions and the fact that this evolution shows that cloud-based threat actors are still evolving their campaigns, it is important that both organizations and individuals stay extra vigilant when it comes to security.” 

In order to secure networks and cloud services against cryptomining malware and numerous other cyberattacks, organizations are advised to employ generic best cybersecurity measures, such as timely patching and updating of software and applications, in order to mitigate the risks of vulnerability being exploited in the outdated versions.  

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Windows 11
1Password Manager Android Apple MacOS Linux Privacy Windows 11

To Support Passkeys, 1Password has Joined Passage

Passkey functionality, which enables users to securely log in to apps and websites without a password, will be made accessible to 1Password's customers by early 2023, the company announced.

Passkeys, which employ the WebAuthn standard developed by the FIDO Alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium, replace passwords with cryptographic key pairs that enable users to sign into accounts. These key pairs consist of a public key that can be shared and a private key that cannot be shared.

For users of Android devices, installing passwords on an Android phone or tablet is also simple. Passwords are simple to set up on an iPhone or iPad. In addition to extensions for various browsers, there still are versions for Linux, Windows 11, and macOS Ventura. The issue is that these platforms are beginning to ignore the password for the passkey.

Next year, 1Password will add support for passkeys, enabling users to log in without a password. Even for current users, the business has built up an interactive demo so they can see how the feature will operate once it is released.

Passkeys eliminate the requirement for a two-factor authentication code and are more resistant to phishing and compromised credentials than passwords in terms of password brute force attacks like password spraying.

It is accurate that 1Password claims that its version will have a few benefits over its rivals. Because it works with so many different operating systems, 1Password asserts that its passkeys are the only ones that support numerous devices and enable cross-platform synchronization.

The main benefits of passkeys, according to 1Password, are that they come with strong default encryption and do not need to be memorized because they are saved on the device, while the private key is kept private from the website being signed into. Furthermore, the private key cannot be deduced from the public key.

The world of authentication will alter as a result of passwordless technologies. This partnership must make it substantially simpler for businesses to integrate a safe, password-free authentication flow into their products in order for it to grow.


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Vulnerabilities and Exploits
Bugs Data Flaws Linux Safety Security Vulnerabilities and Exploits

Attackers Exploiting Unpatched RCE Flaw in Zimbra Collaboration Suite

 

Hackers are actively attempting to exploit an unpatched remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS), a popular web client and email server. 

The CVE-2022-41352 zero-day security flaw is rated critical (CVSS v3 score: 9.8) and enables an attacker to upload arbitrary files via "Amavis" (email security system). An attacker who successfully exploits the vulnerability can overwrite the Zimbra webroot, insert a shellcode, and gain access to other users' accounts. 

The zero-day vulnerability was discovered at the beginning of September when administrators posted details about attacks on Zimbra forums.

Due to  insecure cpio usage

The vulnerability is caused by Amavis' use of the 'cpio' file archiving utility to extract archives when scanning a file for viruses. An exploitable flaw in the cpio component enables an attacker to create archives that can be extracted anywhere on a Zimbra-accessible filesystem.

When an email is sent to a Zimbra server, the Amavis security system extracts the archive and scans its contents for viruses. If it extracts a specially crafted.cpio,.tar, or.rpm archive, the contents may be extracted to the Zimbra webroot. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to deploy web shells to the Zimbra root, effectively giving them shell access to the server.

On September 14, Zimbra issued a security advisory advising system administrators to install Pax, a portable archiving utility, and restart their Zimbra servers to replace the vulnerable component, cpio.
Installing Pax solves the problem because Amavis prefers it over cpio by default, so no further configuration is required.

"If the pax package is not installed, Amavis will fall-back to using cpio, unfortunately the fall-back is implemented poorly (by Amavis) and will allow an unauthenticated attacker to create and overwrite files on the Zimbra server, including the Zimbra webroot," warned the September security advisory.

"For most Ubuntu servers the pax package should already be installed as it is a dependency of Zimbra. Due to a packaging change in CentOS, there is a high chance pax is not installed."

Vulnerability is being actively exploited

While the vulnerability has been actively exploited since September, a new Rapid7 report sheds new light on its active exploitation and includes a proof-of-concept exploit that allows attackers to easily create malicious archives.

Worse, Rapid7 tests show that many Linux distributions officially supported by Zimbra still do not install Pax by default, leaving these installations vulnerable to the bug.

Oracle Linux 8, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, Rocky Linux 8, and CentOS 8 are among these distributions. Pax was included in earlier LTS releases of Ubuntu, 18.04 and 20.04, but it was removed in 22.04. Zimbra plans to mitigate this issue decisively by deprecating cpio and making Pax a prerequisite for Zimbra Collaboration Suite, thus enforcing its use.

Since proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits have been publicly available for some time, the risk of failing to implement the workaround is severe. Zimbra intends to address this issue decisively by deprecating cpio and making Pax a requirement for Zimbra Collaboration Suite, thereby mandating its use. 

"In addition to this cpio 0-day vulnerability, Zimbra also suffers from a 0-day privilege escalation vulnerability, which has a Metasploit module. That means that this 0-day in cpio can lead directly to a remote root compromise of Zimbra Collaboration Suite servers," further warn the researchers.

However, the risks persist for existing installations, so administrators must act quickly to protect their ZCS servers.
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Windows
DDOS Attacks Infected Devices Linux malware Safety Security Windows

This New Chaos Malware Infects Windows & Linux Devices for DDoS Attacks

 

Lumen Technologies' threat intelligence team, Black Lotus Labs, has issued a warning about Chaos, a new variant of the Kaiji distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) botnet that targets enterprises and large organisations. 

The Golang-based Kaiji malware is presumed to be of Chinese origin and emerged in early 2020, targeting Linux systems and internet of things (IoT) devices via SSH brute force attacks. By mid-2020, the threat had expanded to include Docker servers. The recently discovered Chaos malware, like Kaiji, is written in Go and uses SSH brute force attacks to infect new devices. 

Additionally, it targets known vulnerabilities and infects with stolen SSH keys. The threat is compatible with multiple architectures, including ARM, Intel (i386), MIPS, and PowerPC, and it can run on both Linux and Windows, according to Black Lotus.

Chaos establishes persistence and connects to an embedded command and control (C&C) server after infecting a device. Following that, it receives staging commands, such as starting propagation via known CVEs or SSH or starting IP spoofing. The malware first creates a mutex on infected Windows systems by binding to a UDP port that it hides from the analysis. If the binding fails, the malware's process terminates.

After the initial set of staging instructions, Black Lotus Labs observed numerous additional commands being sent to bots. These commands would result in new propagation attempts, additional compromise of the infected device, DDoS attacks, or crypto-mining.

Chaos can also build a reverse shell on the target device by using an open-source script designed to run on Linux-native bash shells, allowing the attackers to upload, download, or modify files. From mid-June to mid-July, Black Lotus Labs observed hundreds of unique IP addresses representing Chaos-infected devices, followed by an increase in new staging C&C servers in August and September. The majority of infections occur in Europe, North and South America, and Asia-Pacific (but not Australia or New Zealand).

In September, the botnet was spotted launching DDoS attacks against the domains or IP addresses of over 20 organisations. The entities targeted are from various industries, including entertainment, finance, gaming, media, and hosting. It was also seen targeting DDoS-as-a-Service providers and a cryptocurrency mining exchange.

 Black Lotus Labs concluded, “Not only does it target enterprise and large organizations but also devices and systems that aren’t routinely monitored as part of an enterprise security model, such as SOHO routers and FreeBSD OS. And with a significant evolution from its predecessor, Chaos is achieving rapid growth since the first documented evidence of it in the wild.”
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telecommunications
Cyber Crime ISP Linux SentineLabs Telecom telecommunications

Metador APT is Lurking ISPs and Telecom Entities

Researchers at SentinelLabs have discovered a threat actor identified as Metador which primarily targets universities, ISPs, and telecommunications in various Middle Eastern and African nations.

SentintelLabs researchers dubbed the organization Metador after the phrase 'I am meta' that exists in the malicious code as well as the fact that the server messages are often in Spanish. As per the findings revealed at the first-ever LabsCon security conference, the group is thought to have started operating in December 2020, but throughout the past few years, it has managed to remain undetected. 

SentinelLabs senior director Juan Andrés Guerrero-Saade claimed that despite sharing information on Metador with experts at other security companies and government partners, no one was aware of the group.

SentinelLabs researchers found Metador in a Middle Eastern telecommunications business that had been hacked by roughly ten threat actors, including Moshen Dragon and MuddyWater, who all hail from China and Iran. Metador's goal appears to be long-term espionage inventiveness. 

Along with two incredibly complex Windows-based viruses – "metaMain" and "Mafalda," that the gang uses – there are clues of Linux malware, according to the researchers at SentinelLabs.

The attackers loaded both malware into memory and decrypted it using the Windows debugging tool "cdb.exe."

Mafalda is a versatile implant that can support up to 67 commands. Threat actors have regularly updated it, and the more recent iterations of the threat are heavily disguised. The attacker can maintain a persistent connection, log keystrokes, download and upload arbitrary files, and run shellcode thanks to the robust feature set of metaMain, which is used independently.

Mafalda gained support for 13 new commands among two variations that were produced in April and December 2021, adding possibilities for credential theft, network espionage, and file system manipulation. This is proof that Mafalda is being actively developed by its developers.

Attack chains have also included unidentified Linux malware that is used to collect data from the infected environment and send it back to Mafalda. The intrusions' entrance vector has not yet been identified.

Running into Metador is a serious reminder that another category of threat actors still operates covertly and without consequence. Security product creators should seize the chance to actively design their products to keep an eye out for the most sophisticated, well-funded hackers.



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Windows
China Cyber Security News Hackers Linux malware Sidewalk Backdoo Windows

Hackers Group in China Creates Linux Version of Sidewalk Windows

One of the state-supported hacker groups in China has reportedly developed a Linux variant of a backdoor known as SideWalk backdoor targeting Windows systems in the academic sectors. The variant of sidewalk is believed to be assigned as a part of a Cyberespionage campaign by Earth Baku, an advanced persistent threat (APT) group with connections to APT41, termed as SparklingGoblin it is working against the entities based in the Indo-Pacific region.   
 
Sidewalk Linux Backdoor was detected in the past by security researchers back in 2020.  Sidewalk Backdoor, initially tracked as Stageclient was observed at the cybersecurity company ESET in May 2020, targeting the servers in a university in a university in Hong Kong. The group targeted in the same university in February 2021.   
 
“The group continuously targeted this organization over a long period of time, successfully compromising multiple key servers, including a print server, an email server, and a server used to manage students schedules and course registrations” ESET stated in reports shared with The Hacker News. 
 
In an analysis carried out by ESET, it was observed that StageClient and Spectre botnet (a subset of a security vulnerability) are both in fact Linux variants of SideWalk. ESET also observed the SideWalk variants for Linux and Windows, in which they detected that both the variants hold a great many similarities in their infrastructures and in the way both the malwares function deducing it is in fact a Linux variant of SideWalk as well. 
 
One of the similarities of the two malwares being connected to Sidewalk was they both used the same encryption key to transport data from the infected device to the C&C servers. Secondly, it was observed that both the variants used the Cha Cha20 encryption algorithm to "use a counter with an initial value of 0x0B”, something that is particular to SideWalk. Lastly, it was observed that for both the Window and Linux, the malware uses the exact five threats given below, which are programmed for specific tasks:
 
[StageClient::ThreadNetworkReverse] – fetching proxy configurations for alternate connections to the command and control (C2) server.

[StageClient::ThreadHeartDetect] – close connection to C2 server when commands are not received in the specified time.

[StageClient::ThreadPollingDriven] – send heartbeat commands to the C2 server if there is no info to deliver.

[StageClient::ThreadBizMsgSend] – check for data to be sent in message queues for all other threads and process it.

[StageClient::ThreadBizMsgHandler] – check for pending messages from the C2 server 
 
Although SparklingGoblin actively targets the regions of East and Southeast Asia, it has now been going global. hitting organizations outside the given regions. 
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Vulnerabilities and Exploits.
Crypto Linux LockBit RaaS Ransomware Attacks. Trend Micro Vulnerabilities and Exploits.

Hackers are Actively Targeting Linux-Based Devices

Ransomware attacks against Linux have accelerated as cybercriminals try to increase their options and take advantage of an operating system that is sometimes neglected when organizations think about security. 

According to Trend Micro, hackers prefer using ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) techniques because they enable quicker deployment and higher rewards. Additionally, they increasingly focused their attacks on Linux-based computers and employed relatively new ransomware families in high-profile strikes. Operators of ransomware also used both cutting-edge and time-tested strategies to attack cloud environments.

Linux powers significant enterprise IT infrastructure, including servers, making it a target for ransomware gangs. This is especially true when cybersecurity teams may decide to concentrate on protecting Windows networks against cybercrime due to a believed lack of threat to Linux systems compared to Windows.

For instance, LockBit, one of the most widespread and effective ransomware operations in recent memory, now provides the choice of a Linux-based variant that is made to target Linux systems and has been used to carry out assaults in the field.

Hackers are regularly extending the scope of their exploits by focusing on Linux, one of the most potent operating systems utilized in cloud platforms and servers around the world, in addition to upping the ante by utilizing MaaS methods in their attacks.

The RaaS architecture makes it simpler and quicker for cyber criminals to deploy ransomware attacks than traditional ransomware models, even those with limited technical knowledge. According to SPN data, three ransomware families—the infamous LockBit, Conti, and BlackCat families—dominated the RaaS space in terms of detections. BlackCat is a family of ransomware that was developed in the Rust programming language at the end of 2021.

Attackers using ransomware are motivated by money and would jump at new possibilities if they believe they can increase their earnings; it would seem that encrypting Linux systems and demanding payment for the key to open servers and files are becoming more and more common.

According to researchers, as ransomware perpetrators strive to maximize their profits, this strategy will only grow in popularity.

It's not only ransomware entities that are focusing more on Linux, according to Trend Micro, but there has also been a 145% increase in Linux-based cryptocurrency-mining malware attacks, wherein online criminals covertly use the processing power of infected computers and servers to mine for cryptocurrency for their own gain.
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VMware
Cyber Secuirty Cyber Security Darknet Double extortion Linux Ransomware Attacks. Russian Hacker VMware

ESXi , Linux, and Windows Systems at Risk From New Luna Ransomware

Luna is a brand-new ransomware family that was written in Rust, making it the third strain to do so after BlackCat and Hive, according to Kaspersky security researchers. 

The experts who examined the ransomware's command-line options believe that Luna is a reasonably straightforward ransomware program. 

Luna ransomware

This interesting encryption method combines x25519 with AES. The researchers discovered that the Linux and ESXi samples, which are compiled using the identical source code, differ only slightly from the Windows version.

Darknet forum advertisements for Luna imply that the ransomware is only meant to be used by affiliates who speak Russian. Due to spelling errors in the ransom note that are hard-coded into the malware, its main creators are also thought to be of Russian descent.

The Luna ransomware is also able to avoid automated static code analysis attempts by utilizing a cross-platform language.

"The source code used to compile the Windows version and the Linux and ESXi samples are identical. The remaining code is almost unchanged from the Windows version" the researchers added. Luna "confirms the trend for cross-platform ransomware," the researchers wrote, pointing out how hackers are able to target and strike at scale while avoiding static analysis, thanks to the platform flexibility of languages like Golang and Rust.

Nevertheless, considering that Luna is a recently identified criminal organization and its activities are still being constantly monitored, there is very little knowledge available regarding the victimology trends.

Black Basta

Researchers have also revealed information about the Black Basta ransomware group, which modified its software to target ESXi systems. By adding compatibility for VMware ESXi, various ransomware families, including LockBit, HelloKitty, BlackMatter, and REvil, hope to increase their potential targets.

The double-extortion attack model is used by Black Basta, a ransomware operation that has been operational since April 2022.

Researchers from Kaspersky said that operators had introduced a new feature that relies on launching the computer in safe mode before encrypting data and imitating Windows Services in order to maintain persistence.

Black Basta can avoid detection from a variety of endpoint security solutions by starting Windows in safe mode.




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Vulnerability and Exploits
Chinese Actors Confluence servers Crypto Currency mining Honeypot Linux SSH Vulnerability and Exploits

Chinese Group Botnet Illegally Mine Crypto

 

Linux and cloud app vulnerabilities have been used by the 8220 Group crypto mining gang to expand their botnet to over 30,000 affected systems.

Over the course of just the previous month, SentinelOne researchers reported detecting this notable rise in the number of infected hosts. The malicious botnet, according to analysts, was only active on 2,000 servers worldwide by the middle of 2021.

The 8220 group has been operating at least since 2017. The hackers are China-based and the organization's name is derived from the port 8220 that the miner uses to connect to the C2 servers. 

Operation tactics

According to reports, the growth was spurred by the adoption of Linux, widespread vulnerabilities in cloud applications, and inadequately secured setups for services like Docker, Apache WebLogic, and Redis.

This group has used a publically available exploit in the past to breach confluence systems. Once inside, the attackers employ SSH brute force to spread out and commandeer the available computing power to operate crypto miners that point to untraceable pools.

Another improvement is the script's usage of block lists to prevent infections on particular hosts, usually, honeypots set up by security researchers.

Lastly, 8220 Gang has updated PwnRig, their proprietary crypto miner based on XMRig, an open-source Monero miner.

Microsoft researchers claim that the gang has actively upgraded its payloads and tactics over the past year. In a recent campaign, the organization targeted Linux systems running on i686 and x86 64 architectures and gained early access using RCE exploits for CVE-2022-26134 (Atlassian Confluence) CVE-2019-2725 (WebLogic) vulnerabilities.

In addition to underscoring a more intense "fight" to seize control of victim systems from rival cryptojacking-focused groups, the operations' expansion is seen as an effort to counteract the declining value of cryptocurrencies.



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