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:
- From cookie theft to BEC: Attackers use AiTM phishing sites as entry point to further financial fraud
July 12, 2022
A large-scale phishing campaign that used adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) phishing sites stole passwords, hijacked a user’s sign-in session, and skipped the authentication process even if the user had enabled multifactor authentication (MFA). The attackers then used the stolen credentials and session cookies to access affected users’ mailboxes and perform follow-on business email compromise (BEC) campaigns against ...
- Hackers impersonate cybersecurity firms in callback phishing attacks
July 12, 2022
Hackers are impersonating well-known cybersecurity companies, such as CrowdStrike, in callback phishing emails to gain initial access to corporate networks. Most phishing campaigns embed links to landing pages that steal login credentials or emails that include malicious attachments to install malware. However, over the past year, threat actors have increasingly used “callback” phishing campaigns that impersonate well-known ...
- Predatory Sparrow: Who are the hackers who say they started a fire in Iran?
July 11, 2022
It’s extremely rare for hackers, who operate in the digital world, to cause damage in the physical world. But a cyber-attack on a steel maker in Iran two weeks ago is being seen as one of those significant and troubling moments. A hacking group called Predatory Sparrow said it was behind the attack, which it said caused ...
- How Shady Code Commits Compromise the Security of the Open-Source Ecosystem
July 11, 2022
Traditionally, concerns over open-source code security have revolved around whether or not open-source code could contain vulnerabilities, backdoors, or hidden malicious code. In recent months, however, Trend Micro researchers have observed a growth in a particular trend: Open-source code is being subjected to modifications to its functionality to express political protest. These instances of so-called ...
- Private 5G Network Security Expectations Part 3
July 11, 2022
Trend Micro conducted a survey on private wireless network security in collaboration with 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, in four countries (Germany, the U.K, Spain, and the U.S.) across the manufacturing, electricity, oil and gas, and healthcare industries. Trend Micro have introduced this survey’s findings on the expectations for private 5G security ...
- New 0mega ransomware targets businesses in double-extortion attacks
July 8, 2022
A new ransomware operation named ‘0mega’ targets organizations worldwide in double-extortion attacks and demands millions of dollars in ransoms. 0mega (spelled with a zero) is a new ransomware operation launched in May 2022 and has attacked numerous victims since then. A ransomware sample for the 0mega operation hasn’t yet been found, therefore there’s not much information on ...