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:
- FIN7 hackers create auto-attack platform to breach Exchange servers
December 22, 2022
The notorious FIN7 hacking group uses an automated attack system that exploits Microsoft Exchange and SQL injection vulnerabilities to breach corporate networks, steal data, and select targets for ransomware attacks based on financial size. This system was discovered by Prodaft’s threat intelligence team, which has been closely following FIN7 operations for years now. In a report shared ...
- What Can Schools Do Against the Onslaught of Ransomware?
December 22, 2022
Cyber attacks have become a pressing issue for K-12 schools, but school districts aren’t waging the fight alone. A variety of free federal and state resources can offer guidance and assistance, while cyber best practices and automated and managed services can help schools get the most impact from their limited budgets, said speakers during a ...
- Comcast Xfinity accounts hacked in widespread 2FA bypass attacks
December 22, 2022
Comcast Xfinity customers report their accounts being hacked in widespread attacks that bypass two-factor authentication. These compromised accounts are then used to reset passwords for other services, such as the Coinbase and Gemini crypto exchanges. Starting on December 19th, many Xfinity email users began receiving notifications that their account information had been changed. However, when attempting ...
- Detecting Windows AMSI Bypass Techniques
December 21, 2022
Windows Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) is an agnostic security feature in the Windows operating system (OS) that allows applications and services to integrate with security products installed on a computer. Introduced by Microsoft in 2015, it provides a standard interface that allows solutions to scan files, memory, and other data for threats. This can help ...
- Godfather: A banking Trojan that is impossible to refuse
December 21, 2022
The Android banking Trojan Godfather is currently being utilized by cybercriminals to attack users of popular financial services across the globe. Godfather is designed to allow threat actors to harvest login credentials for banking applications and other financial services, and drain the accounts. To date, its victims include users of over 400 international targets, including ...
- Microsoft research uncovers new Zerobot capabilities
December 21, 2022
Botnet malware operations are a constantly evolving threat to devices and networks. Threat actors target Internet of Things (IoT) devices for recruitment into malicious operations as IoT devices’ configurations often leave them exposed, and the number of internet-connected devices continue to grow. Recent trends have shown that operators are redeploying malware for a variety of ...