The Week in Review from Stamus Labs

Welcome to the weekly threat detection update report from Stamus Networks. Each week, you will receive this email with a summary of the updates.

Current Stamus Threat Intelligence (STI) release version: 1255

This week, in addition to daily ruleset and IOC updates, we provided Stamus Security Platform customers with the following improved defense(s):

New threat detection(s) added [1]: 0
Major changes to detections(s) [2]: 404
Updated threat detection(s) [3]: 404

Note: a "method" as referenced below, is a discrete detection vector for a given threat.

Major Detection Changes

The following detections were updated this past week with changes to kill chain phase(s) or MITRE ATT&CK tactic(s)/technique(s):

APT35 (APT)

Iranian-backed group Magic Hound engages in cyber espionage targeting U.S. and Middle Eastern officials and organizations since 2014, likely working with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps through elaborate social engineering tactics.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery
Methods added: 9

ClickFix (Phishing)

In April 2024, researchers found compromised sites leading to an iframe on pley[.]es showing an error message. The payload domain was taken offline, preventing infection. Later, the iframe was replaced with the ClearFake inject.

Added kill chain phase(s): delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): exploitation, delivery, command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1027
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1027, T1189, T1036
Methods added: 1

Fake Browser (Trojan)

Attackers infect enterprise networks with malware by promoting fake browser updates on hacked websites, leading to the installation of banking trojans and later ransomware encryption on compromised networks.

Added kill chain phase(s): exploitation
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery, exploitation, command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1189
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1189
Methods added: 26

Gamaredon (APT)

Gamaredon Group, active since 2013, targets individuals linked to the Ukrainian government. Named after a misspelled "Armageddon", the group's activities have been documented in early campaigns.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, command and control, delivery
Methods added: 24

Generic Loader (Loader)

Loaders are evolving remote access Trojans, offering user-friendly interfaces, self-healing capabilities, and a platform for botmasters to sell bots. They are typically lightweight to evade security measures.

Added kill chain phase(s): delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery, actions on objectives
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1566
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071
Methods added: 1

LandUpdate808 (Trojan)

Fake update variants like SocGholish, Clear Fake, Smart Ape, and ClickFix are being tracked by a collaboration introducing the LandUpdate808 Fake Update Variant.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery, command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1189
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1189
Methods added: 15

Lumma (Data Theft)

Lumma is a C-based information stealer sold on Russian underground forums and Telegram by LummaC since August 2022. It targets cryptocurrency wallets and has file grabber capabilities.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control, actions on objectives
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, command and control, installation, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1005, T1071, T1573
Methods added: 204

Malicious DGA Domain (Generic CnC)

Malicious domains are used by threat actors for malware spreading and phishing. C2 servers are established worldwide to evade detection. DGA generates domain names for command and control, challenging security professionals. Stamus Networks offers specialized detection methods.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control
Methods added: 16

NetSupport RAT (RAT)

Remote Access Trojans allow covert surveillance and unauthorized access to victim PCs, collecting keystrokes, passwords, screenshots, and more. They differ from keyloggers by providing remote access capabilities to attackers.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, command and control, exploitation, installation
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1105
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1105
Methods added: 3

RAT Generic (RAT)

Remote Access Trojans allow covert surveillance and unauthorized access to victim PCs, collecting data like keystrokes and screenshots. They differ from keyloggers by enabling remote access for attackers.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): installation, command and control, actions on objectives, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1041, T1573
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1041, T1573
Methods added: 2

SimpleHTTPServer (Downloader)

Python includes a basic HTTP server for sharing files or temporary content, but it is not secure for production or corporate use. Malicious actors may exploit it for malware delivery.

Added kill chain phase(s): delivery, exploitation
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery, exploitation
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1059
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1059
Methods added: 2

SocGholish (Social Engineering)

Malwarebytes found a new social engineering toolkit that uses compromised websites to perform advanced fingerprinting checks and deliver the NetSupport RAT payload.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, exploitation, delivery, reconnaissance, actions on objectives
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1189
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1027, T1189
Methods added: 6

TA4903 (APT)

Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are stealthy threat actors, often nation states or state-sponsored groups, who gain unauthorized access to networks for political or economic motivations, utilizing various tactics to remain undetected.

Added kill chain phase(s): delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery
Methods added: 3

TA582 (APT)

An APT is a stealthy threat actor, often nation state or state-sponsored, gaining unauthorized access and remaining undetected in a network for political or economic reasons, targeting various sectors.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control
Methods added: 33

Trojan Agent (Trojan)

A group of trojans with variable payloads can redirect web traffic, manipulate applications, drop/install malicious programs, and download/run additional malware. Behavior is not exhaustive.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, actions on objectives, delivery, installation
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1041
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1041, T1071, T1496
Methods added: 3

Unknown APT (APT)

Sophisticated adversary with expertise and resources uses multiple attack vectors to establish presence in organizations' IT infrastructure, exfiltrate information, undermine missions, and persistently adapt to defenders.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071, T1001
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1041, T1071
Methods added: 20

Vidar (Data Theft)

Vidar Stealer is a trojan used by cyber criminals to steal personal information from infected computers.

Added kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, installation, actions on objectives, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071
Methods added: 1

XWorm (RAT)

Cyble research labs found a malware developer advertising a powerful Windows RAT on the dark web during a threat-hunting exercise.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1573
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1573
Methods added: 35

Other Threat Detection Update(s)

The following threat detection(s) were improved this past week with new or updated threat methods.

Name of threat	New coverage			Total coverage			Last updated
	New Detection methods	Kill chain phases	Protocols involved	Detection methods	Kill chain phases	Protocols involved
APT35	9	command and control	dns, tls, http	1153	command and control, delivery	dns, ftp, http, tcp, tls, udp	2025-01-16
ClickFix	1	delivery	http	61	command and control, delivery, exploitation	dns, http, tls	2025-01-16
Fake Browser	26	exploitation	dns, tls, http	1364	command and control, delivery, exploitation	dns, http, tls	2025-01-18
Gamaredon	24	command and control	dns, tls, http	1053	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery	dns, http, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-14
Generic Loader	1	delivery	http	142	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-14
LandUpdate808	15	command and control	dns, tls, http	188	command and control, delivery	dns, http, tls	2025-01-17
Lumma	204	command and control, actions on objectives	dns, tls, http	3784	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, tls	2025-01-18
Malicious DGA Domain	16	command and control	http, tls	146	command and control	http, tls	2025-01-14
NetSupport RAT	3	command and control	http	71	actions on objectives, command and control, exploitation, installation	dns, http, tls	2025-01-16
RAT Generic	2	command and control	tcp	197	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls, udp	2025-01-18
SimpleHTTPServer	2	delivery, exploitation	http	4	delivery, exploitation	http	2025-01-14
SocGholish	6	command and control	dns, tls, http	1224	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, exploitation, reconnaissance	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-17
TA4903	3	delivery	dns, tls, http	1237	delivery	dns, http, tls	2025-01-14
TA582	33	command and control	dns, http, tls	712	command and control	dns, http, tls	2025-01-18
Trojan Agent	3	command and control	tcp	603	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, ip, smtp, tcp, tcp-pkt, tcp-stream, tls, udp	2025-01-14
Unknown APT	20	command and control	dns, tls, http	130	command and control, delivery	dns, http, tls	2025-01-14
Vidar	1	actions on objectives	http	47	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, tls	2025-01-18
XWorm	35	command and control	tcp-pkt	2132	command and control, delivery	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-18

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