Get expert threat analysis weekly. Sign up to receive our Threat Briefing:
Date: 6/13/2022
Researchers in the Trend Micro team have discovered a new malware variant of the Cuba Ransomware, which famously pulled over $43 million in ransom in 2021. This new variant includes additional process/service killing actions, expanded safe lists for directories/file extensions, updated verbiage on ransom notes, and an added technical support line (quTox).
This new variant has been seen to deploy a custom downloader named BUGHATCH, not seen to be used by Cuba’s ransomware before in the wild. Additionally, the new variant has been seen to terminate over 47 additional processes/services to accomplish its attack(s). It has also expanded its directory and extension safelists, most noticeably directories like program files[(x86)]microsoft office and the .vbm extensions.
Apart from the added technical components, two more changes have been seen. This includes updated verbiage and removed the threat of publishing exfiltrated data onto the Cuba ransomware Tor website. Also, victims can now utilize the quTox technical support line if they require assistance purchasing cryptocurrency and making payments.
As with all ransomware variants, proactive cybersecurity strategies are essential. This includes deploying EDR solutions, conducting regular vulnerability scanning, and updating cybersecurity awareness programs.
Additionally, two indicators of compromise (IOC) have been seen to be consistent among the new attacks utilizing this Cuba ransomware variant. Organizations can add these to block lists and threat hunt against them:
For more information, fill out the form below and we will be in touch shortly
Researchers from Sentinel Labs have discovered a Chinese-Linked APT group, Aoqin Dragon, that has been spying on organizations for nearly a decade. Specifically targeting Southeast Asia and Australia, Aoqin Dragon has been spying on the government, education, and telecommunication organizations. Usually gaining initial access through document exploits and fake removable devices, Aoqin Dragon has also been deploying tactics such as DLL hijacking and DNS tunneling. Additionally, Aoqin Dragon has been seen to deploy a modified version of the heyoka backdoor, an open-source backdoor project. This has allowed it to bypass traditional detection methodologies that do not detect this variant.
Quiet reconnaissance campaigns such as this are ordinarily successful long-term. Sophisticated APT groups are patient and slow to move through networks or exfiltrate data, usually blending in with everyday traffic and going unseen. Extended access to organization networks leads to intellectual property theft, personal identifiable information exfiltration, and company brand reputation damage.
Aoqin Dragon’s primary initial access vector is with fake documents. Due to this, organizations should continue to deploy regular cybersecurity awareness programs to train employees on how to avoid phishing attacks and safely interact with unknown documents. Beyond that, organizations should conduct regular threat hunts to look for abnormal network traffic and connections to foreign IP addresses. Sentinel Labs has also published a comprehensive list of Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) here: Aoqin Dragon | Newly-Discovered Chinese-linked APT Has Been Quietly Spying On Organizations For 10 Years – SentinelOne
Sources
https://cyware.com/news/china-based-aoqin-dragon-spying-secretly-since-2013-9d3b5cbb
https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/aoqin-dragon-newly-discovered-chinese-linked-apt-has-been-quietly-spying-on-organizations-for-10-years/
Emotet malware has a long history. First discovered as a banking trojan in 2014, Emotet has matured into a global botnet, which has proven resilient in the face of massive law enforcement efforts. In 2021, an international task force took down the infrastructure behind Emotet.
A resurgence of Emotet was recently observed in early 2022 in Japan and, more recently, in the United States.
Emotet is often spread as reply messages in hijacked email threads, which increases the success rates of these phishing attacks. Additionally, the latest phishing attempts by Emotet campaigns have had a high success rate in evading email security filters.
The unfortunately mature business model of ransomware has led to the development of “access broker” businesses. Command and control over machines infected with Emotet have been known to be sold to ransomware gangs to be leveraged in devastating attacks. Devices infected with Emotet are also used to spread the infection through email reply messages to associates in other organizations.
User training:
Since Emotet is spread through phishing messages, user awareness training is critical in avoiding infection.
Acquire threat hunting services through a reputable cyber security vendor:
Threat hunting efforts often uncover hosts infected with multiple malware variants.
Sources
https://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/emotet-banking-trojan-resurfaces-email-security
https://www.jpcert.or.jp/english/at/2022/at220006.html
https://www.wired.com/story/emotet-botnet-takedown/
Dr. Joakim Kennedy of the Blackberry Research & Intelligence Team reports finding a new Linux malware variant that infects all running processes and leverages this to evade detection. Kennedy has dubbed this malware “Symbiote”, due to its parasite-like activity.
Because of its rootkit behavior, Symbiote has proven exceedingly difficult to detect using live system analysis.
According to Kennedy’s research, Symbiote’s objectives are credential stealing and “providing remote access for the attacker .”Once an attacker has remote access to a system inside a corporate network, lateral movement to other hosts can be expected. Attacks such as this often result in devastating ransomware events.
To maximize the chance of detection, Kennedy recommends ensuring that EDR binaries are statically linked so that they cannot be altered or spoofed by infected processes. Inquire with your EDR vendor or experts at GreyCastle Security for advice.
Network Security Monitoring (NSM) is an effective tool in detecting rootkit behavior, as malware is unable to control packet flow outside of the infected host. NSM is an excellent way to address gaps left in EDR deployments, finding rogue or misconfigured hosts, and detecting a myriad of anomalous behaviors.
Sources
https://blogs.blackberry.com/en/2022/06/symbiote-a-new-nearly-impossible-to-detect-linux-threat
As an update to our June 3rd Threat Intelligence regarding the Atlassian Confluence vulnerability (CVE-2022-26134): cybercriminals affiliated with both AvosLocker and Cerber2021 ransomware have been actively targeting unpatched Confluence servers.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability on unpatched servers continues to occur, with AvosLocker reportedly infecting organizations in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Additionally, reports of Cerber2021 (aka “CerberImposter”) ransomware attacks via successfully exploiting this vulnerability have increased along with AvosLocker.
These increased reports of ransomware infections coincide with the last week’s widespread release of proof-of-concept exploit code for CVE-2022-26134 (see graphic below).
Atlassian strongly recommends upgrading to a fixed version of Confluence. However, if an upgrade is not feasible, organizations should consider the workaround outlined by Atlassian here.
Sources
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/confluence-servers-hacked-to-deploy-avoslocker-cerber2021-ransomware/
https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/confluence-security-advisory-2022-06-02-1130377146.html#:~:text=download%20centre.-,Mitigation,-If%20you%20are
For strategic clients, your vCISO will add this to your next Office Hours for further discussion. However, if you have an immediate need, concern, or question, please reach out to them directly.
For non-strategic clients, please reach out to your Advisor for further discussion.
For those not yet clients of GreyCastle Security, please click the “Contact Us” button below and we’ll be glad to provide assistance as well as answer any questions you might have.
Offerings
Industries
Compliance
Copyright © 2023 GreyCastle Security. All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2022 GreyCastle Security. All Rights Reserved
Ho Chin is Chief Financial Officer at GreyCastle Security. In this role, Ho leads Finance, HR, IT and Professional Development. As part of the executive leadership team, Ho works to establish the company’s overall strategy and ensure proper execution of the supporting initiatives pertaining to the above areas of responsibility.
Prior to joining GreyCastle Security, Ho led finance and administrative functions at multiple private equity and venture-backed portfolio companies across multiple industries. Ho holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University in Centre County, Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dan Kalil is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Chairman at GreyCastle Security. In this role, Dan provides vision, leadership and strategies that drive GreyCastle Security’s position as an industry leader. With an emphasis on customer success, Dan’s profitable growth model leverages a customer-centric business approach that balances employee wellbeing and social responsibility.
Prior to becoming CEO, Dan served as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer, during which he supported multiple acquisitions and helped the organization achieve substantial sales growth. In addition to serving as CEO at GreyCastle Security, Dan continues to hold the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Assured information Security (AIS) in Rome, New York, a company he co-founded in 2001.
Over the course of the last 22 years, Dan has been committed to advancing the state of cybersecurity and has played an instrumental role in the identification and development of critical, next-generation cyber capabilities. He has held positions in almost every facet of cybersecurity, beginning as a computer forensic examiner and progressing through the management and executive leadership ranks. In addition to co-founding AIS, Dan has facilitated multiple cybersecurity startups, raised investment capital and has served in various lead and support roles toward the acquisition of five companies in the last eight years.
Dan has a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Utica College in Utica, New York.
Michael Stamas is an entrepreneur, board member, Vice President and a founder of GreyCastle Security. With more than two decades of experience in the technology sector, Mike pairs his management and business development skills with a deep understanding of cybersecurity. Mike brings a unique brand of risk-based advising to GreyCastle clients and prospects.
Mike holds certifications in numerous security and technology related areas, including the Department of Homeland Security and other security technologies like Symantec, Cisco and Microsoft.
Mike plays an active role in his community and serves as a board member and Vice President of InfraGard Albany as well as an advisory board position with the Capital Region YMCA.
Mike has been recognized for his numerous achievements through various honors including the Albany Business Review’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award.
Dan Maynard serves as GreyCastle Security’s Chief Operating Officer, where he currently leads Sales, Marketing and Legal.
Dan has enjoyed a 30+ year career in the Information Technology and Telecommunications industry, during which time he has held various leadership positions for organizations such as Rochester Tel/RCI, Citizens Communications (Frontier), PAETEC Communications, IntegraOptics, tw telecom/Level3 and Centurylink.
In addition to various voice and data technology platforms, he possesses a strong background in leadership development, sales and marketing leadership, transformational leadership and strategic planning. Dan has a thirst for knowledge and as a committed lifelong learner, he encourages and supports professional development initiatives for his teams and continues his involvement with Vistage International.
Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he was selected as a member of their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.
When not at work, Dan enjoys traveling, golfing, attending Utica Comets hockey games and relaxing in the Adirondacks on beautiful Canada Lake with family and friends.
Dan Didier is the Vice President of Solutions and board member at GreyCastle Security.
Dan has been a cybersecurity practitioner for more than 20 years and uses his knowledge and experience to develop cybersecurity solutions that ensure readiness and preparedness.
Dan received his bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, New York, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree in Information Assurance from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
Our Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) have responded to hundreds of breaches, intrusions, malware infections, thefts, employee investigations, fraud cases and other incidents. Our highly-certified experts have extensive experience in command, coordination and correction of incidents in nearly every industry throughout North America, from local businesses to Fortune 500 international conglomerates.
Francesca LoPorto-Brandow is Director of Culture at GreyCastle Security. In this role, Francesca leads all social responsibility efforts and partnerships and develops effective strategies that promote organizational-wide behaviors and attitudes consistent with a culture of safety, inclusion, teamwork, motivation and high-performance.
Prior to this role, Francesca was Director of People & Culture at GreyCastle and with her leadership, the company’s culture has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as a Nationally recognized Best Workplace, Albany Business Review Best Places to Work and Albany Times Union Top Workplaces.
Before joining GreyCastle Security, Francesca worked as an OD consultant and focused on strategic culture change at The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Inc. for more than six years. There, she facilitated client education sessions, coached leaders and teams, developed and executed consulting interventions and served as strategy project leader on various client engagements. Her work has taken her into Fortune 100 companies and across borders including Panama, Singapore and beyond.
Francesca is a Lean Six Sigma–certified Green Belt, a proud YWCA-GCR board member and in 2013, she coordinated and emceed the inaugural TEDx Troy—a livestream of TEDCity 2.0. Since 2012, she has coordinated and emceed the Troy 100 Forum, a biannual forum for government, religious and community leaders to discuss issues vital to the future of Troy, New York.
Bilingual in English and Italian, Francesca holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Technology from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lally School of Management & Technology. She was awarded Cybersecurity Recruiter of the year North America in 2017 by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.
Jamie Aiello is Senior Vice President of Services and Product Management at GreyCastle Security. In this position, Jamie is responsible for leading a high performing and well-balanced team that is ultimately responsible for the identification, selection, execution and successful performance of our company’s diverse portfolio of cybersecurity offerings.
Prior to joining GreyCastle Security, Jamie has held leadership positions with Annese and Associates, ConvergeOne and BlueSky IT Partners with a focus on delivering cost effective information technology solutions for companies across multiple verticals.
Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, a master’s degree in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.