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:
- India: EPFO, PMO data breach, Centre says aware of reports, Cert-In looking into details
February 21, 2024
The government is aware of reports of a data breach that claims having datasets from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, and has asked the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In) to look into it, senior officials told ET. “We are aware of it but need to verify if the claims ...
- Cybersecurity for satellites is a growing challenge, as threats to space-based infrastructure grow
February 20, 2024
In today’s interconnected world, space technology forms the backbone of our global communication, navigation and security systems. Satellites orbiting Earth are pivotal for everything from GPS navigation to international banking transactions, making them indispensable assets in our daily lives and in global infrastructure. However, as our dependency on these celestial guardians escalates, so too does their ...
- Toronto Public Library uncertain whose data stolen in October cyber attack
February 20, 2024
The Toronto Public Library needs more time to investigate whether cardholder, volunteer and donor data has been compromised during a serious cyberattack four months ago. In a final report to the board on the October 2023 security breach that the library said exposed the personal data of staff and family members, it said it is “currently ...
- ConnectWise Releases Critical Security Update for ScreenConnect
February 20, 2024
ConnectWise has released a security update addressing two vulnerabilities in on-premise ScreenConnect deployments. The update addresses a critical authentication bypass vulnerability with a CVSSv3 score of 10 and a path traversal vulnerability with a CVSSv3 score of 8.4. A remote unauthenticated attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to read arbitrary files, gain root access on the underlying ...
- Law enforcement disrupt world’s biggest ransomware operation
February 20, 2024
In a significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, law enforcement from 10 countries have disrupted the criminal operation of the LockBit ransomware group at every level, severely damaging their capability and credibility. LockBit is widely recognised as the world’s most prolific and harmful ransomware, causing billions of euros worth of damage. This international sweep follows ...
- Cambridge faces cyber attack
February 19, 2024
The University faced a cyberattack yesterday (20/02), which is affected internet and services across multiple UK higher education institutions. Students at various colleges were notified of the attack, which affected access to IT services such as CamSIS and Moodle. An internal email revealed that the incident was a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, described as ...