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:
- Heineken says there’s no free beer, warns of phishing scam
June 16, 2022
There’s no such thing as free beer for Father’s Day — at least not from Heineken. The brewing giant confirmed that a contest circulating on WhatsApp, which promises a chance to win one of 5,000 coolers full of green-bottled lager, is a frothy fraud. “This is a scam and is not sanctioned by Heineken,” the beermaker ...
- New Android malware bypasses multi-factor authentication to steal your passwords
June 16, 2022
A newly discovered form of Android malware steals passwords, bank details and cryptocurrency wallets from users – and it does so by bypassing multi-factor authentication protections. The malware has been detailed by cybersecurity researchers at F5 Labs, who’ve dubbed it MaliBot. It’s the latest in a string of powerful malware targeting Android users. In addition to remotely ...
- A hacker group said it has broken into the Israeli electricity network
June 16, 2022
A hacker group identifying itself as the “Moses Staff” said it has broken into the Israeli electricity network, vowing to plunge the regime into darkness. The group said on Wednesday it had targeted the Israel Electric Corporation, the largest supplier of electrical power in the occupied territories, as well as Dorad Energy Ltd., which serves customers ...
- 730K WordPress sites force-updated to patch critical plugin bug
June 16, 2022
WordPress sites using Ninja Forms, a forms builder plugin with more than 1 million installations, have been force-updated en masse this week to a new build that addresses a critical security vulnerability likely exploited in the wild. The vulnerability is a code injection vulnerability affecting multiple Ninja Forms releases, starting with version 3.0 and up. Wordfence threat ...
- Extortion gang ransoms Shoprite, largest supermarket chain in Africa
June 15, 2022
Shoprite Holdings, Africa’s largest supermarket chain that operates almost three thousand stores across twelve countries in the continent, has been hit by a ransomware attack. Shoprite is Africa’s largest supermarket chain, with a revenue of $5.8 billion and149,000 employees. The retailer has 2,943 stores, serving millions of customers in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, ...
- Hundreds arrested and millions seized in global INTERPOL operation against social engineering scams
June 15, 2022
LYON, France — A worldwide crackdown on social engineering fraud has seen scammers identified globally, substantial criminal assets seized and new investigative leads triggered in every continent. The two-month (8 March – 8 May 2022) Operation, codenamed First Light 2022, saw 76 countries take part in an international clampdown on the organized crime groups behind telecommunications ...