Attackers typically try to pass off malware as legitimate applications or as potentially unwanted programs that users deliberately search for and download, such as cheats or cracks. They often rely on ad and affiliate networks to deliver their creations to victims’ devices. This post examines a less conventional case: a well-known backdoor distributed under the guise of adware. The attackers may have chosen this distribution method because the adware was signed by the developer. On top of that, users often manually add these apps to exclusions, so their useful features don’t get blocked.
Some time ago, a client asked us to analyze a file with the MD5 hash c24e99f9437feacaa63766a3cde3fe3d and add it to our detection database. We initially classified it as adware, but a cursory analysis turned up suspicious network activity, which prompted us to dig deeper. It turned out the sample did far more than serve ads. In fact, its advertising functionality doesn’t even work; instead, it triggers an infection chain that delivers the ValleyRAT backdoor.
Read more…
Source: Kaspersky
Sign up for the Cyber Security Review Newsletter
The latest cyber security news and insights delivered right to your inbox
Related:
- Midnight Blizzard conducts large-scale spear-phishing campaign using RDP files
October 29, 2024
Since October 22, 2024, Microsoft Threat Intelligence has observed Russian threat actor Midnight Blizzard sending a series of highly targeted spear-phishing emails to individuals in government, academia, defense, non-governmental organizations, and other sectors. This activity is ongoing, and Microsoft will continue to investigate and provide updates as available. Based on our investigation of previous Midnight Blizzard ...
- France: Free ISP announces data breach, millions of users possibly affected
October 29, 2024
One of the biggest internet service providers (ISP) in France has confirmed suffering a cyberattack that saw it lose sensitive customer data. A threat actor alias “drusselx” opened a new thread on the infamous Breach forums, advertising a major database for sale, claiming it contains data on 19.2 million Free customers, and holds more than 5.11 ...
- Hackers breach sensitive government and police data in Italy
October 28, 2024
Prosecutors in Milan have uncovered a network of hackers and former law enforcement officials accused of using malware and insider contacts to break into several government databases, including the Interior Ministry. The group allegedly accessed over 800,000 confidential records, even targeting accounts linked to the president’s office. Prosecutors said on Saturday that the operation was allegedly ...
- Bucharest’s District 5 City Hall hit by ransomware attack
October 28, 2024
The District 5 City Hall of Bucharest announced on October 26 that it was the target of a cyber attack that hit its servers. The hackers demanded USD 5 million in ransom, but mayor Cristian Popescu Piedone said he would not pay. “This morning (e.n. October 26), the District 5 City Hall employees reported that the ...
- Businesses expect cyber threats to rise, but aren’t ready for them
October 28, 2024
It’s no secret that cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, while simultaneously growing in number and volume. Research from the Business Continuity Institute reports that cyber threats have increased in severity over the past year, with 75% of respondents reporting a rise in attempted breaches and 39.4% falling victim to a successful cyber-attack. Read more… Source: MSN News Sign up ...
- 100 million people hit in largest healthcare data breach in history – medical info, SSNs and more
October 26, 2024
More than 100 million people had their personal information and healthcare data stolen in the massive UnitedHealth ransomware attack earlier this year, making it the largest healthcare data breach in the country. After completing its investigation into February’s data breach, the US Department of Health and Human Services said this week that roughly a third of ...