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:
- Ransomware attack on Blue Yonder disrupts Starbucks, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons
November 27, 2024
Starbucks has confirmed that a ransomware attack on software supplier Blue Yonder has disrupted its internal systems for managing employee schedules and tracking work hours. The incident has primarily affected Starbucks’ North American operations, including approximately 11,000 stores across the United States and Canada. Starbucks says the cyberattack has compromised its ability to track baristas’ hours ...
- Russia-linked hackers exploited Firefox and Windows bugs in ‘widespread’ hacking campaign
November 26, 2024
Security researchers have uncovered two previously unknown zero-day vulnerabilities that are being actively exploited by RomCom, a Russian-linked hacking group, to target Firefox browser users and Windows device owners across Europe and North America. Researchers with security firm ESET say they found evidence that RomCom combined use of the two zero-day bugs — described as such ...
- SteelFox Leverages Signed Windows Drivers to Attack Kernel
November 26, 2024
This week, the SonicWall Capture Labs threat research team investigated a sample of SteelFox malware. This is bundled with “software activators” for JetBrains and Foxit PDF readers. During installation, they run as a service and use vulnerable signed Windows drivers to exploit and attack the kernel. Secondarily, cryptominers such as XMRig are run in memory via ...
- Analysis of Elpaco: a Mimic variant
November 26, 2024
In a recent incident response case, Kaspersky dealt with a variant of the Mimic ransomware with some interesting customization features. The attackers were able to connect via RDP to the victim’s server after a successful brute force attack and then launch the ransomware. After that, the adversary was able to elevate their privileges by exploiting the ...
- Hackers who inflitrated South African financial system reveal data for a large number people
November 24, 2024
A hacking group that claims it fraudulently collected Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants and infiltrated South Africa’s financial system through credit bureaus has released data appearing to belong to Absa and Standard Bank customers. N4aughtySecGroup contacted the media earlier this month with a warning that it had breached several credit bureaus and used its access ...
- UK: Prison layouts reportedly leaked on dark web
November 23, 2024
The Ministry of Justice has said it is aware of a data breach affecting prisons in England and Wales. Confidential prison layouts had been leaked onto the dark web in the past two weeks, according to The Times. A former prison governor told the paper organised crime groups could potentially use the information to smuggle drugs ...