SMTP is the key: BPFDoor and AVERAT hitting the network edge


Rapid7 tracked a set of Linux samples that blend into the software and device conventions of the telecom environments they target. The set spans a newly observed BPFDoor variant, a BPF Rekoobe build seen against South Korean targets, a dropper, and six builds of a Linux implant Rapid7 researchers track as AVERAT, deployed against Taiwanese appliances. Additionally, researchers provide source code details of the Rapid7 BPFDoor controller introduced in our April 2026 blog, Stealthy BPFDoor Variants are a Needle That Looks Like Hay.

The chain uses two binaries. A dropper writes a shell script to the appliance’s storage mount and executes it. The script stages both payloads into /sbin under the names ntpdate and udevds, launches them, and deletes each file ten seconds later while the processes continue running. One of those payloads is the dropper itself, re-executing as a resident watchdog, leaving both processes running without an on-disk image.

Read more…
Source:  Rapid7 News


Sign up for the Cyber Security Review Newsletter
The latest cyber security news and insights delivered right to your inbox


Related:

  • Factory Security Problems from an IT Perspective (Part 2): People, processes, and technology

    May 26, 2020

    This article is the second in a series that discusses the challenges that IT departments face when they are assigned the task of overseeing cybersecurity in factories and implementing measures to overcome these challenges. Before beginning to consider countermeasures, in the first article we explained the source of the challenges while focusing on the differences ...

  • Turla APT Revamps One of Its Go-To Spy Tools

    May 26, 2020

    The Turla APT group has been spotted using an updated version of the ComRAT remote-access trojan (RAT) to attack governmental targets. Turla (a.k.a. Snake, Venomous Bear, Waterbug or Uroboros), is a Russian-speaking threat actor known since 2014, but with roots that go back to 2004 and earlier, according to previous research from Kaspersky. “It is a ...

  • Europol, Capgemini team up in cybercrime prevention, awareness campaigns

    May 26, 2020

    Europol and Capgemini have agreed to pool their resources in new cybersecurity awareness campaigns and the expansion of existing collaboration on threat intelligence. On Tuesday, Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the consultancy giant that is expected to lead to new “joint exercises, capacity building, and prevention campaigns.” Europol and ...

  • Qakbot Resurges, Spreads through VBS Files

    May 25, 2020

    Through managed detection and response (MDR), we found that a lot of threats come from inbound emails. These messages usually contain phishing links, malicious attachments, or instructions. However, in our daily investigation of email metadata, we often detect threats not just in inbound emails, but even in the users’ own sent items folder. This involves ...

  • eBay port scans visitors’ computers for remote access programs

    May 24, 2020

    When visiting the eBay.com site, a script will run that performs a local port scan of your computer to detect remote support and remote access applications. Many of these ports are related to remote access/remote support tools such as the Windows Remote Desktop, VNC, TeamViewer, Ammy Admin, and more. After learning about this, BleepingComputer conducted a test and can ...

  • Threat Spotlight: The Andromeda Botnet

    May 22, 2020

    The Andromeda botnet, also known as Gamarue or Wauchos, was first introduced to the public in 2011. During this time it was used to distribute large quantities of malware. According to Microsoft the Andromeda botnet was used to spread more than 80 malware families including ransomware, worms, and more. Andromeda is a modular malware, meaning additional components can ...