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: 1249
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]: 10 (Earth Minotaur, LiteHTTP Bot, XMRig Coinminer, CyberHaven Compromised Extension, SimpleHTTPServer, Test DoC, Tomiris, Liberium RAT, Contagious Interview Campaign, Malicious Pyinstaller)
- Major changes to detections(s) [2]: 202
- Updated threat detection(s) [3]: 425
Note: a "method" as referenced below, is a discrete detection vector for a given threat.
New Threat(s) Detected
The following detections were added to your Clear NDR - Enterprise (formerly Stamus Security Platform) this past week:
Earth Minotaur (APT)
Earth Minotaur uses instant messaging apps to trick victims into clicking malicious links, disguising themselves as various characters to increase success. The links lead to MOONSHINE exploit kit servers installing backdoors on devices.
- Total number of detection methods: 2
- Kill chain phase(s): delivery, exploitation
- MITRE ATT&CK: T1189
LiteHTTP Bot (Botnet)
LiteHTTP bot is a new C# programmed HTTP bot that collects system information, downloads and executes programs, and can update or kill other bots on the system.
- Total number of detection methods: 3
- Kill chain phase(s): command and control
XMRig Coinminer (Cryptocurrency)
XMRIG is a legitimate open-source app that mines Monero, but criminals use "bundling" to infiltrate systems without consent, often bringing other unwanted programs that gather information and deliver ads.
- Total number of detection methods: 3
- Kill chain phase(s): command and control, installation
- MITRE ATT&CK: T1496
CyberHaven Compromised Extension (Data Theft)
Cyberhaven's Chrome extension was breached, allowing attackers to inject malicious code, compromising sensitive data of 400,000 users. A threat campaign targeting 2.6 million users on the Chrome Web Store was exposed.
- Total number of detection methods: 179
- Kill chain phase(s): command and control
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.
- Total number of detection methods: 2
- Kill chain phase(s): delivery, exploitation
- MITRE ATT&CK: T1059
Test DoC (Generic CnC)
An example Declaration of Compromise (DoC) for demonstration purposes.
- Total number of detection methods: 2
- Kill chain phase(s): command and control
Tomiris (APT)
Tomiris uses a variety of malware implants for intelligence gathering in Central Asia, focusing on stealing internal documents. Tools include downloaders, backdoors, and file stealers like Telemiris using Telegram as a C2 channel.
- Total number of detection methods: 1
- Kill chain phase(s): command and control
- MITRE ATT&CK: T1573
Liberium RAT (RAT)
Liberium RAT is a malware variant for sale on hacking forums, providing remote access to vulnerable endpoints, file management, registry manipulation, and theft of system data.
- Total number of detection methods: 4
- Kill chain phase(s): command and control
- MITRE ATT&CK: T1573
Contagious Interview Campaign (APT)
North Korean threat actors are using OtterCookie malware in the Contagious Interview campaign to target software developers with fake job offers and deliver malicious payloads like BeaverTail and InvisibleFerret.
- Total number of detection methods: 9
- Kill chain phase(s): delivery, command and control
- MITRE ATT&CK: T1041
Malicious Pyinstaller (Downloader)
PyInstaller creates a standalone package for Python apps, including all dependencies. However, it can also be exploited by malicious actors to distribute malware.
- Total number of detection methods: 18
- Kill chain phase(s): command and control
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):
APT33 (APT)
APT33 is an Iranian threat group targeting organizations in the US, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea since 2013, with a focus on aviation and energy industries.
- Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
- Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery
- Methods added: 12
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: T1189
- Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1027, T1189, T1036
- Methods added: 2
CryptBot (Data Theft)
Infostealer Cryptbot steals credentials for browsers, crypto wallets, credit cards, creates system screenshots. Stolen data uploaded to c2 server in zip file.
- Added kill chain phase(s): command and control, actions on objectives
- Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, actions on objectives, delivery
- MITRE ATT&CK added: T1041
- Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071
- Methods added: 2
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: 39
KONNI (RAT)
KONNI is a Windows remote administration tool used since 2014, evolving in capabilities through 2017. Linked to North Korean themed campaigns, it shares code with NOKKI malware and potentially APT37.
- Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
- Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, command and control, delivery
- MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
- Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1041
- 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: 18
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: 66
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: 1
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: T1573
- Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1041, T1573
- Methods added: 5
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
Strela Stealer (Data Theft)
StrelaStealer is a type of malware that steals email account credentials, targeting Spanish-speaking users through spam emails. Discovered in November 2022 by DCSO CyTec researchers.
- Added kill chain phase(s): delivery, actions on objectives
- Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, actions on objectives
- MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
- Methods added: 2
TA455 (APT)
Meta took action against a hacking group from Iran that targeted various industries worldwide. The group's tactics resembled another threat actor, but with different targets, infrastructure, and malware.
- Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
- Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, installation
- 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: 36
Web Shell (Backdoor)
A web shell is a remote access interface for web servers often used in cyberattacks. It can be written in various programming languages and exploited through vulnerabilities in web applications.
- Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
- Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, delivery, command and control
- MITRE ATT&CK added: T1505
- Methods added: 2
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: 7
Other Threat Detection Update(s)
The following threat detection(s) were improved this past week with new or updated threat methods.