Credit card skimming on the rise for the holiday shopping season

by makoadmin November 15, 2023

As we head into shopping season, customers aren’t the only ones getting excited. More online shopping means more opportunities for cybercriminals to grab their share using scams and data theft.

One particular threat we’re following closely and expect to increase over the next several weeks is credit card skimming. Online stores are not always as secure as you might think they are, and yet you need to hand over your valuable credit card information in order to buy anything.

When a merchant website is hacked, any purchase made has the potential of being intercepted by bad actors. Often, the malicious code is right underneath the surface and yet completely invisible to shoppers.

One particular skimming campaign we have been following picked up the pace drastically in October after a lull during the summer. With hundreds of stores compromised, you may come across it if you shop online on a regular basis.

The Kritec campaign

We first discovered this credit card skimming operation back in March 2023, as it stood out from the rest due to its large volume. The threat actors were also taking the time to customize their skimmer for each victim site with very convincing templates that were even localized in several languages.

The experience was so smooth and seamless that it made it practically impossible for online shoppers to even realize that their credit card information had just been stolen.

Threat actors ramp up their activity just in time for the holiday season

In April this skimming campaign reached a peak and then slowed down during the summer. However it came back, increasing to its highest volume in October. We measured this activity based on the number of newly registered domain names attributed to this threat actor.

The infrastructure is located on the IT WEB LTD network (ASN200313) registered in the British Virgin Islands.

How to shop safely online

If you are shopping online, and especially via smaller merchants (i.e. not Amazon, Walmart, etc), you absolutely need to be extra careful. Unless you are able to perform a full website audit yourself, you simply can’t be sure that the platform hasn’t been compromised.

Having said that, if the website looks like it hasn’t been maintained in a while (for example it is displaying outdated information, such as ”Copyright 2018′) you probably should stay away from it. Most compromises happen because a website’s content management system (CMS) and its plugins are outdated and vulnerable.

There are tools that can also detect malicious code embedded into websites. Most antivirus products offer some kind of web protection that detects malicious domains and IP addresses. But because threat actors are constantly swapping their infrastructure, it is also a good idea to have some kind of heuristic detection for things like malicious JavaScript snippets.

Malwarebytes Premium offers web protection and is complemented by the Malwarebytes Browser Guard extension for more advanced in-browser detection.

We are also publishing a list of the infrastructure that includes domains we had previously not seen but obtained via retrohunting, so that those can be included in community blocklists ingested by third-party products.

Indicators of Compromise

Kritec domains

oumymob[.]shop
nujtec[.]shop
lavutele[.]yachts
tochdigital[.]pics
gemdigit[.]pics
vuroselec[.]quest
bereelec[.]quest
psyhomob[.]sbs
antohub[.]shop
kritec[.]pics
daichetmob[.]sbs
smestech[.]shop
interytec[.]shop
ribtech[.]shop
podobadigit[.]quest
yaknatec[.]pics
stacstocuh[.]quest
keistodigit[.]pics
shumtech[.]shop
metsimob[.]yachts
hovarelec[.]shop
vdoxdigit[.]pics
vushtech[.]sbs
tekeiteh[.]quest
tastmob[.]yachts
krasoticmob[.]space
pyatiticdigt[.]shop
frikctictempo[.]fun
secreelec[.]shop
yelyotech[.]pics
statemob[.]yachts
sviisdigit[.]quest
garnimob[.]sbs
povomob[.]shop
dvojnatech[.]sbs
petlelec[.]quest
helotec[.]pics
xiloditg[.]yachts
paunit[.]pics
rithdigit[.]cyou
dayspiselec[.]quest
uznatec[.]shop
nespomob[.]sbs
nebiltech[.]shop
bufelec[.]yachts
ledeehub[.]shop
greentechify[.]digital
ecosustain[.]digital
innovate360[.]digital
wellbeingtech[.]digital
inspireworks[.]digital
avtomob[.]sbs
otkridigit[.]quest
balacdigit[.]pics
schetdigit[.]pics
bantec[.]pics
jantech[.]quest
shotsmob[.]sbs
podbotec[.]sbs
shokomob[.]sbs
resuelec[.]yachts
xorotelec[.]quest
rozkatech[.]yachts
nasnamob[.]quest
ensdigit[.]quest
genlytec[.]us
onitzech[.]sbs
odintech[.]sbs
rebomob[.]quest
flattec[.]sbs
noanotech[.]sbs
fadyit[.]pics
lielecef[.]cyou
inlinedigital[.]pics
fantodelt[.]sbs
volosmob[.]pics
zahidelt[.]sbs
dychtech[.]shop
samopotele[.]yachts
stimob[.]pics
jestmob[.]pics
weitmob[.]shop
poidelt[.]sbs
perstech[.]shop
telehub[.]shop
projectmob[.]sbs
imhoelec[.]yachts
plactech[.]quest
sakwohub[.]shop
volonmob[.]sbs
lehelec[.]yachts
tochelec[.]quest
prijetech[.]shop
supermob[.]network
eluntec[.]info
chutech[.]works
stonworks[.]vip
hapermob[.]shop
seletech[.]markets
calcdigit[.]pics
shellmob[.]fun
valetec[.]pw
votedigit[.]shop
encit[.]yachts
defimob[.]bar
goponl[.]online
yukmob[.]store
tuchtoch[.]shop

sasaiso[.]cfd
aifanul[.]yachts
soplelec[.]pics
wudutec[.]shop
vonderdigit[.]quest
mutelec[.]quest
gemstec[.]yachts
genertech[.]pw
genstech[.]shop
effecttec[.]shop
bespitech[.]sbs
otpusmob[.]shop
yedelec[.]sbs
chokdigit[.]pics
poptec[.]sbs
aurelec[.]shop
stramdigital[.]yachts
sotkelec[.]yachts
funkomob[.]sbs
beatmob[.]pics
osobtech[.]yachts
kruktech[.]shop
volosmob[.]sbs
provtec[.]shop
dvanatech[.]yachts
druzit[.]quest
yololive[.]sbs
bachitech[.]pics
kamitac[.]shop
karadigit[.]quest
gachit[.]yachts
yalomob[.]pics
druzit[.]quest
mopedigit[.]shop
macsetech[.]online
strajit[.]yachts
istoretc[.]shop
trepmob[.]sbs
animtech[.]quest
chekeelec[.]quest
kinotec[.]pics
zamlmob[.]pics
leritgo[.]sbs
autotec[.]shop
helinit[.]yachts
shpitech[.]quest
seletmob[.]online
hhfnsfsga[.]sbs
dvanatech[.]yachts
lemodigit[.]online
ttewe[.]quest
efromob[.]site
selentech[.]click
centridig[.]store
timetok[.]online
musatech[.]quest
digitstel[.]site
sintec[.]store
eleconuch[.]click
deletouch[.]shop
topostock[.]shop
dujetech[.]yachts
fletmob[.]sbs
semebit[.]online
kontec[.]quest
moldmob[.]site
lemtok[.]store
domelec[.]shop
hemidigit[.]click
teletoch[.]pics
temtoch[.]site
intescon[.]store
genimmob[.]online
teledomn[.]quest
stemtec[.]click
gemofab[.]store
tenastoc[.]click
kiligob[.]site
pelstec[.]online
vetitec[.]quest
denlog[.]shop
lemnidig[.]shop
fasfad[.]site
lishetoc[.]shop
ruepliz[.]click
stiornec[.]store
daisnetech[.]site
yavipustec[.]online
bednedigit[.]quest
sipletoc[.]site
olinmasot[.]click
verecey[.]quest
oleketec[.]store
etibuz[.]shop
comepetec[.]click
stiildig[.]store
hemogom[.]online
dzelonline[.]shop
tuctec[.]site
obogtec[.]quest
moboed[.]icu
shonowor[.]site
idopos[.]shop
mylase[.]click
henove[.]store
frodetraho[.]click
tromtustec[.]quest
bulkmob[.]store

tisimy[.]quest
depeyo[.]online
livepolitical[.]sbs
shareeffectiv[.]yachts
basewhit[.]quest
deliverclos[.]online
changeyellow[.]cfd
writefederal[.]click
dowonderful[.]store
deliverclos[.]sbs
stopfurther[.]sbs
usespecial[.]quest
startculturl[.]site
followmilitry[.]cfd
intesres[.]quest
androton[.]online
begistic[.]site
heptombo[.]store
felestech[.]click
gelimog[.]online
hasekytop[.]click
dekrenof[.]quest
gerelec[.]site
beresor[.]store
lenosmac[.]shop
hustiontec[.]store
teletouch[.]click
pilozol[.]quest
belmrs[.]click
jetomob[.]shop
gelenhan[.]online
lokotec[.]quest
plasmob[.]pics
shumocom[.]site
biposou[.]online
golyter[.]shop
cuvanil[.]quest
trevago[.]site
domog[.]shop
sgolen[.]store
vjevec[.]quest
spilotich[.]online
babtek[.]click
vozvrec[.]store
irlatok[.]shop
vkiten[.]click
golyadik[.]site
oklasdon[.]online
mihayam[.]shop
cutele[.]shop
hoohotic[.]click
pubupu[.]quest
genodigit[.]store
djutech[.]online
voouvdigit[.]site
zizitok[.]shop
ulyatec[.]quest
tuchtok[.]site
justlice[.]store
enisemol[.]click
tululudoc[.]online
nogtech[.]site
mageants[.]sbs
deshvoc[.]store
shumtech[.]shop
metsimob[.]yachts
bolotoc[.]store
nepochtec[.]shop
bibstele[.]online
nechuvelec[.]click
gastdigit[.]quest
arastek[.]online
galeglob[.]quest
boroshtic[.]click
prodovjtec[.]shop
denetok[.]site
kalomob[.]store
avordic[.]site
chasoc[.]quest
jujoc[.]online
helostop[.]shop
zlakovos[.]click
obomob[.]site
miskotec[.]store
shakorot[.]site
nemojmob[.]online
najitel[.]quest
ragutech[.]shop
pershtec[.]click
nadoelec[.]space
odnydigit[.]quest
yamatel[.]store
jezesec[.]quest
samknut[.]click
imperel[.]site
pricetool[.]store
donashhack[.]online
chelotec[.]quest
stelor[.]shop
udamos[.]online
kurkumin[.]click
vedldeno[.]store
oifilon[.]site
igusfil[.]shop
cosmafit[.]click
tanuatech[.]quest
ifilone[.]site
sourite[.]online
becasotec[.]site

Kritec IPs

195[.]242[.]110[.]102
195[.]242[.]110[.]103
195[.]242[.]110[.]112
195[.]242[.]110[.]130
195[.]242[.]110[.]131
195[.]242[.]110[.]134
195[.]242[.]110[.]135
195[.]242[.]110[.]136
195[.]242[.]110[.]137
195[.]242[.]110[.]139
195[.]242[.]110[.]143
195[.]242[.]110[.]158
195[.]242[.]110[.]162
195[.]242[.]110[.]166
195[.]242[.]110[.]168
195[.]242[.]110[.]171
195[.]242[.]110[.]172
195[.]242[.]110[.]174
195[.]242[.]110[.]179
195[.]242[.]110[.]181
195[.]242[.]110[.]182
195[.]242[.]110[.]185
195[.]242[.]110[.]186
195[.]242[.]110[.]187
195[.]242[.]110[.]188
195[.]242[.]110[.]189
195[.]242[.]110[.]190
195[.]242[.]110[.]191
195[.]242[.]110[.]196
195[.]242[.]110[.]197
195[.]242[.]110[.]205
195[.]242[.]110[.]206
195[.]242[.]110[.]231
195[.]242[.]110[.]232
195[.]242[.]110[.]235
195[.]242[.]110[.]237
195[.]242[.]110[.]24
195[.]242[.]110[.]242
195[.]242[.]110[.]25
195[.]242[.]110[.]250
195[.]242[.]110[.]251
195[.]242[.]110[.]28
195[.]242[.]110[.]3
195[.]242[.]110[.]30
195[.]242[.]110[.]32
195[.]242[.]110[.]33
195[.]242[.]110[.]34
195[.]242[.]110[.]37
195[.]242[.]110[.]40
195[.]242[.]110[.]41
195[.]242[.]110[.]46
195[.]242[.]110[.]58
195[.]242[.]110[.]59

195[.]242[.]110[.]60
195[.]242[.]110[.]72
195[.]242[.]110[.]73
195[.]242[.]110[.]77
195[.]242[.]110[.]79
195[.]242[.]110[.]80
195[.]242[.]110[.]83
195[.]242[.]110[.]84
195[.]242[.]110[.]87
195[.]242[.]110[.]95
195[.]242[.]110[.]99
195[.]242[.]111[.]102
195[.]242[.]111[.]11
195[.]242[.]111[.]117
195[.]242[.]111[.]12
195[.]242[.]111[.]120
195[.]242[.]111[.]147
195[.]242[.]111[.]148
195[.]242[.]111[.]152
195[.]242[.]111[.]214
195[.]242[.]111[.]215
195[.]242[.]111[.]217
195[.]242[.]111[.]224
195[.]242[.]111[.]25
195[.]242[.]111[.]29
195[.]242[.]111[.]36
195[.]242[.]111[.]37
195[.]242[.]111[.]38
195[.]242[.]111[.]40
195[.]242[.]111[.]42
195[.]242[.]111[.]44
195[.]242[.]111[.]49
195[.]242[.]111[.]50
195[.]242[.]111[.]53
195[.]242[.]111[.]56
195[.]242[.]111[.]57
195[.]242[.]111[.]58
195[.]242[.]111[.]59
195[.]242[.]111[.]6
195[.]242[.]111[.]7
195[.]242[.]111[.]76
195[.]242[.]111[.]77
195[.]242[.]111[.]84
195[.]242[.]111[.]85
195[.]242[.]111[.]86
195[.]242[.]111[.]87
195[.]242[.]111[.]94
195[.]242[.]111[.]95
195[.]242[.]111[.]96
45[.]88[.]3[.]114
45[.]88[.]3[.]12
45[.]88[.]3[.]122

45[.]88[.]3[.]123
45[.]88[.]3[.]134
45[.]88[.]3[.]138
45[.]88[.]3[.]139
45[.]88[.]3[.]141
45[.]88[.]3[.]142
45[.]88[.]3[.]144
45[.]88[.]3[.]145
45[.]88[.]3[.]146
45[.]88[.]3[.]148
45[.]88[.]3[.]149
45[.]88[.]3[.]154
45[.]88[.]3[.]167
45[.]88[.]3[.]170
45[.]88[.]3[.]201
45[.]88[.]3[.]21
45[.]88[.]3[.]213
45[.]88[.]3[.]218
45[.]88[.]3[.]219
45[.]88[.]3[.]225
45[.]88[.]3[.]227
45[.]88[.]3[.]23
45[.]88[.]3[.]235
45[.]88[.]3[.]237
45[.]88[.]3[.]238
45[.]88[.]3[.]239
45[.]88[.]3[.]240
45[.]88[.]3[.]244
45[.]88[.]3[.]245
45[.]88[.]3[.]248
45[.]88[.]3[.]25
45[.]88[.]3[.]251
45[.]88[.]3[.]253
45[.]88[.]3[.]34
45[.]88[.]3[.]35
45[.]88[.]3[.]40
45[.]88[.]3[.]49
45[.]88[.]3[.]52
45[.]88[.]3[.]60
45[.]88[.]3[.]61
45[.]88[.]3[.]63
45[.]88[.]3[.]70
45[.]88[.]3[.]78
45[.]88[.]3[.]79
45[.]88[.]3[.]81
45[.]88[.]3[.]82
45[.]88[.]3[.]83
45[.]88[.]3[.]85
45[.]88[.]3[.]95
45[.]88[.]3[.]98

State of Maine data breach impacts 1.3 million people

by makoadmin November 14, 2023

The US State of Maine says it has suffered a data breach impacting around 1.3 million people. According to the census from July 2022, that’s more or less the the entire population of Maine.

The State of Maine says it was compromised via a known vulnerability in secure transfer service MOVEit Transfer. This vulnerability is known to be used by the Cl0p ransomware gang.

The type of stolen data varies from person to person, likely because the data breach affected multiple agencies in the State. More than 50% of the data exposed in the breach came from Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, while between 10 and 30% came from the state’s Department of Education. The breach also impacted several other departments.

For what we can gather, the cybercriminals may have obtained names, Social Security numbers (SSN), dates of birth, driver’s licenses, state identification numbers, and taxpayer identification numbers. The stolen data may involve certain types of medical information and health insurance for some individuals.

Progress Software, who make MOVEit Transfer, issued a patch for the exploited vulnerability on May 31, 2023. However, the State of Maine says the cybercriminals gained access and started downloading files between May 28 and 29, 2023, before the patch was available.

Data breach

The State of Maine is encouraging people to contact Maine’s dedicated call center to find out if their data was involved or if they have questions about this incident. The phone number is (877) 618-3659, with representatives available from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM ET.

If your Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number is involved, the call center will provide you with a complimentary credit monitoring code which give you two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.

If you suspect your data has been stolen, it’s worth watching out for people posing as the State of Maine. There’s nothing like a data breach to bring out the scammers, and they will be looking to target people affected by the breach. If someone does contact you, make sure to verifying they are who they say they are using another communication channel. Watch out for phishing emails, too.

We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your and your family’s personal information by using Malwarebytes Identity Theft Protection.

Signal is testing usernames so you don’t have to share your phone number

by makoadmin November 13, 2023

Messaging service Signal is testing support for usernames as a replacement for phone numbers to serve as user identities.

Signal provides encrypted instant messaging and is popular among people that value their privacy. Compared to more popular services like WhatsApp, Signal offers more layers of privacy protection, customization of settings, and enhanced data security. These layers include hiding metadata, not using a user’s data, allowing call relay, and others.

The current Signal setup requires users to sign up with a phone number and this number will be shared if you want to message other users on the app. But not everyone wants to share their phone number when messaging someone and so Signal is doing something about that.

On its forums, Signal announced the feature is ready for pre-beta-testing.

“After rounds of internal testing, we have hit the point where we think the community that powers these forums can help us test even further before public launch.”

So, for now, the announced feature is currently only available for the app’s testers on Android, iOS, and desktop users. Once it’s finally released, you’ll be able to select your username by going to Settings > Profile and Settings > Privacy > Phone Number section.

From a screenshot posted on X, it looks like you’ll be able to invite new contacts by sending them a link or a QR code.

Screenshot of new options

It’s also likely you still have to have a phone number to create an account. The new feature just allows you to hide your number behind a username. Phone numbers will still be used as a unique identification and as an anti-spam measure.

We don’t know when the new feature will be generally available, but in an earlier interview, president Meredith Whitaker said she expected the feature’s launch in early 2024. However, this seems unlikely as it requires a major overhaul of the app’s architecture.

We don’t just report on privacy—we offer you the option to use it.

Privacy risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep your online privacy yours by using Malwarebytes Privacy VPN.

A week in security (November 06 – November 12)

by makoadmin November 13, 2023

Last week on Malwarebytes Labs:

Stay safe!

Our business solutions remove all remnants of ransomware and prevent you from getting reinfected. Want to learn more about how we can help protect your business? Get a free trial below.

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YouTube shows ads for ad blocker, financial scams

by makoadmin November 11, 2023

After performing local experiments for a few months, YouTube recently expanded its effort to block ad blockers. The move was immediately unpopular with some users, and raised some questions in Europe about whether it was breaking privacy laws.

In addition, there are some still some fundamental issues that have some people concerned. In this blog post, we look at a couple of examples that erode our trust in online ads. In fact, it’s not really an argument about free content, it’s about being able to consume content safely, and it seems as though we aren’t quite there yet.

Inconsistent and untrustworthy ads

YouTube has made it quite clear that using an ad blocker goes against its Terms of Service, reminding users that they have a choice between accepting ads or paying for a premium subscription.

Yet, as of November 9 2023, YouTube was still showing an ad for Total Adblock, a browser extension that blocks… ads. It certainly looks confusing and is sending mixed messages.

While there is some irony here, the greater concern is that perhaps YouTube doesn’t have a good handle on its ads and maybe that is why users have resorted to ad blockers in recent years.

It’s not that people want an ad-free experience to purposely hurt content creators. They more likely want a scam-free and malware-free experience but perhaps aren’t in a position to pay for a subscription.

While looking for evidence of scammy ads, it took us less than a minute to come across one of those infamous Quantum AI crypto scams:

The ad used typical click-bait tactics and redirected to a website that was obviously a scam. An unverified advertiser was allowed to serve this ad and expose users to a financial scam where they can lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

We have yet to see if YouTube will maintain its stance or take any actions to address those core issues. In the meantime, Malwarebytes continues to protect users from scams and malware, from whichever website they choose to visit. The Malwarebytes Browser Guard extension is the easiest way to block malicious ads and other web threats.

Update now! SysAid vulnerability is actively being exploited by ransomware affiliate

by makoadmin November 10, 2023

Users of SysAid on-premises should take action to deal with a vulnerability. SysAid is a widely used IT service management solution that allows IT teams to manage tasks.

Microsoft discovered an ongoing exploitation of a zero-day vulnerability in the SysAid IT support software in limited attacks by Lace Tempest. Lace Tempest is an initial access broker (IAB) usually associated with the Cl0p ransomware.

Once SysAid were notified by Microsoft on November 2, 2023, they started an investigation which confirmed that it was indeed a zero-day vulnerability. By definition, a zero-day vulnerability is any software vulnerability exploitable by hackers that doesn’t have a patch yet.

The investigation identified a previously unknown path traversal vulnerability leading to code execution within the SysAid on-prem software. Path traversal vulnerabilities allow attackers to read, and possibly write to, restricted files by inputting path traversal sequences like ../ into file or directory paths.

The attackers used the vulnerability to upload a web shell and other payloads into the web root of the SysAid Tomcat web service. Tomcat is an open-source web server and servlet developed by the Apache Software Foundation. A web shell is a malicious script used by an attacker with the intent to escalate and maintain persistent access on an already compromised web application.

The web shell provided the attacker with unauthorized access and control over the affected system. The attackers then used two PowerShell scripts to expand their hold. One to launch the Gracewire malware loader and the other to erase other evidence of the intrusion.

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database lists publicly disclosed computer security flaws. The CVE assigned to this vulnerability is:

CVE-2023-47246: a path traversal vulnerability that affects all SysAid On-Premises installations running versions before 23.3.36. SysAid Cloud customers are not affected by this vulnerability.

If you are a SysAid customer using a SysAid On-Prem server, you are under advise you to ensure that your SysAid systems are updated to version 23.3.36 or later, which includes the patches for the identified vulnerability.

Organizations using SysAid should apply the patch as soon as possible and look for any signs of exploitation prior to patching (see Indicators of Compromise below). The Lace Tempest group exploited the vulnerability in the SysAid software to deliver a malware loader for the Gracewire malware. Once this foothold is established, it’s usually followed by human-operated activity, including lateral movement, data theft, and ransomware deployment.

You should also review any credentials or other information that would have been available to someone with full access to your SysAid server and check any relevant activity logs for suspicious behavior.

IOCs

File:

b5acf14cdac40be590318dee95425d0746e85b1b7b1cbd14da66f21f2522bf4d Malicious loader

IPs:

81.19.138.52 GraceWire Loader C2

45.182.189.100 GraceWire Loader C2

179.60.150.34 Cobalt Strike C2

45.155.37.105 Meshagent remote admin tool C2

Malwarebytes blocks the Cobalt Strike C2 179.60.150.34

File Paths:

C:Program FilesSysAidServertomcatwebappsusersfilesuser.exe

C:Program FilesSysAidServertomcatwebappsusersfiles.war

C:Program FilesSysAidServertomcatwebappsleave

How to avoid ransomware

Block common forms of entry. Create a plan for patching vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems quickly; and disable or harden remote access like RDP and VPNs.
Prevent intrusions. Stop threats early before they can even infiltrate or infect your endpoints. Use endpoint security software that can prevent exploits and malware used to deliver ransomware.
Detect intrusions. Make it harder for intruders to operate inside your organization by segmenting networks and assigning access rights prudently. Use EDR or MDR to detect unusual activity before an attack occurs.
Stop malicious encryption. Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response software like Malwarebytes EDR that uses multiple different detection techniques to identify ransomware, and ransomware rollback to restore damaged system files.
Create offsite, offline backups. Keep backups offsite and offline, beyond the reach of attackers. Test them regularly to make sure you can restore essential business functions swiftly.
Don’t get attacked twice. Once you’ve isolated the outbreak and stopped the first attack, you must remove every trace of the attackers, their malware, their tools, and their methods of entry, to avoid being attacked again.

Our business solutions remove all remnants of ransomware and prevent you from getting reinfected. Want to learn more about how we can help protect your business? Get a free trial below.

TRY NOW

Nude “before and after” photos stolen from plastic surgeon, posted online, and sent to victims’ family and friends

by makoadmin November 10, 2023

The FBI is investigating a data breach where cybercriminals were able to steal patients’ records from a Las Vegas plastic surgeon’s office, and then post the details online which included nude photos.

In February, cybercriminals gained access to Hankins & Sohn’s network, which has offices in both Henderson and Las Vegas. From there, the cybercriminals were able to download patient information.

The practice sent a letter to patients in March and April notifying them of the breach.

“On or about February 23, 2023, Hankins & Sohn became aware of suspicious activity relating allegations by an unknown actor that data was stolen from our network. We quickly took steps to investigate the validity of the claims and to assess the nature and scope of the activity and what information may have been affected. We are also working with law enforcement to investigate the activity. We learned that files were taken by the unknown actor prior to this date.”

Apparently, the cybercriminals didn’t get what they wanted from Hankins & Sohn and started posting the information online. Several patients and court documents say that the stolen data included sensitive personal information, such as names and Social Security numbers, but also nude photos of patients taken before and after surgery.

They cybercriminals didn’t stop at that. They sent the data, along with the nude photos, to family and friends through patients’ email accounts.

According to 8NewsNow, about a dozen women have since filed a lawsuit against the firm, claiming they did not do enough to protect their private and personal information. None of the documents posted online were encrypted. It was unclear Monday if Hankins & Sohn was storing its data per HIPAA rules. A spokesperson for the office that oversees HIPAA-related investigations declined to comment.

HIPAA is short for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge.

The victims claim that the Hankins and Sohn failed to implement adequate and reasonable cybersecurity procedures and protocols to protect their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected health information (PHI).

Data breach

There are some actions you can take if you are, or suspect you may have been, the victim of a data breach.

Check the vendor’s advice. Every breach is different, so check with the vendor to find out what’s happened, and follow any specific advice they offer.
Change your password. You can make a stolen password useless to thieves by changing it. Choose a strong password that you don’t use for anything else. Better yet, let a password manager choose one for you.
Enable two-factor authentication. Where possible, use a FIDO2 2FA device. Some forms of two-factor authentication (2FA) can be phished just as easily as a password. 2FA that relies on a FIDO2 device can’t be phished.
Watch out for fake vendors. The thieves may contact you posing as the vendor. Check the vendor website to see if they are contacting victims, and verify any contacts using a different communication channel.
Take your time. Phishing attacks often impersonate people or brands you know, and use themes that require urgent attention, such as missed deliveries, account suspensions, and security alerts.

We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your and your family’s personal information by using Malwarebytes Identity Theft Protection.

Meta whistleblower says company has long ignored how it sexually endangers children

by makoadmin November 10, 2023

At a Senate hearing, a Meta whistleblower has revealed some shocking numbers around children’s experiences of its platforms.

Arturo Béjar, a former engineering director at Meta, testified before the US Congress on Tuesday. Not only did he share his own daughters’ experience suffering harassment on Instagram, he also shared some statistics.

“13% of Instagram users under the age of 16 had received unwanted sexual advances on the platform in the previous 7 days.”

His own daughter received unsolicited pictures of male strangers’ privates on the platform. She reported them without ever receiving a response that indicated Meta would take appropriate action.

In a conversation with chief product officer Chris Cox, Béjar learned Meta was already aware of the statistics related to the harm done to teens.

Béjar is not the first Meta whistleblower to voice his concerns about Meta’s unwillingness to put the wellbeing of its users before the bottom line. On October 5, 2021, Frances Haugen told a Senate panel Tuesday that Congress must intervene to solve the “crisis” created by her former employer’s products.

Haugen, a former Facebook product manager for civic misinformation, stated that by design the Facebook algorithm is consistently used to prioritize the company’s own profits over users’ health and safety. As an example she explained how the algorithm, in its drive towards more profitable content, could steer young users from something relatively innocuous such as healthy recipes to content promoting anorexia in a short period of time.

Béjar previously worked as an engineering director at Facebook from 2009 to 2015, gaining recognition for his efforts to combat cyberbullying. Later he worked as a Meta consultant. In this capacity, his team at Meta created “Bad Emotional Experience Feedback” (BEEF) a recurring survey of 238,00 users’ experiences in the previous week.

Other statistics from these surveys raised concerns as well. Of the 13—15 year-olds on Instagram that filled out the survey, 26% said they had witnessed discrimination based on various identities and 21% felt worse about themselves due to others’ posts on Instagram.

Meta on the other hand issued a statement saying it’s working hard to keep minors safe.

“The issues raised here regarding user perception surveys highlight one part of this effort, and surveys like these have led us to create features like anonymous notifications of potentially hurtful content and comment warnings.”

Meta has rolled out some 30 parental controls to manage who children can talk to or how much time they spend on Facebook and Instagram. In an earlier statement, Meta said it has strict policies and technology to prevent predators from finding or interacting with teenagers on its apps.

“We’re continuously exploring ways to actively defend against this behavior, and we set up an internal task force to investigate these claims and immediately address them.”

Despite these promises, Béjar’s statements have reinforced in some senators the need for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), to ensure that companies like Meta have a duty of care to the young people that drive their record profits.

KOSA is a bill that was introduced in the United States Senate in February 2022 and reintroduced in May 2023, The bill establishes guidelines meant to protect children on social media platforms. Criticism of the bill mostly points out that it might potentially enable censorship and increased online surveillance.

Nevertheless, this testimony and others may be the cause of dramatic changes to how kids use social media. Reportedly, a group of 42 US attorneys general already announced they are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harms they say Instagram and Facebook are perpetrating on young people.

Instagram has already been fined €405 million after European Union privacy regulators came to a decision on a long-running complaint related to how the social media platform handles children’s data.

We are pretty confident that these are not the last fines and lawsuits Meta will face, but whether they will help to keep our children safe from predators remains to be seen. We will keep an eye on this.

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Judge rules it’s fine for car makers to intercept your text messages

by makoadmin November 10, 2023

A federal judge has refused to bring back a class action lawsuit that alleged four car manufacturers had violated Washington state’s privacy laws by using vehicles’ on-board infotainment systems to record customers’ text messages and mobile phone call logs.

The judge ruled that the practice doesn’t meet the threshold for an illegal privacy violation under state law. The plaintiffs had appealed a prior judge’s dismissal.

Car manufacturers Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, and General Motors were facing five related privacy class action suits. One of those cases, against Ford, had been dismissed on appeal previously.

Infotainment systems in the company’s vehicles began downloading and storing a copy of all text messages on smartphones when they were connected to the system. Once messages have been downloaded, the software makes it impossible for vehicle owners to access their communications and call logs but does provide law enforcement with access, the lawsuit said.

The Seattle-based appellate judge ruled that the interception and recording of mobile phone activity did not meet the Washington Privacy Act’s (WPA) standard that a plaintiff must prove that “his or her business, his or her person, or his or her reputation” has been threatened.

In a recent Lock and Code podcast, we heard from Mozilla researchers that the data points that car companies say they can collect on you include social security number, information about your religion, your marital status, genetic information, disability status, immigration status, and race. And they can sell that data to marketers.

This is alarming. Given the increasing number of sensors being placed in cars every year, this is becoming an increasingly grave problem.

In the same podcast, we also explored the booming revenue stream that car manufacturers are tapping into by not only collecting people’s data, but also packaging it together for targeted advertising.

According to the Mozilla research, popular global brands including BMW, Ford, Toyota, Tesla, Kia, and Subaru:

“Can collect deeply personal data such as sexual activity, immigration status, race, facial expressions, weight, health and genetic information, and where you drive. Researchers found data is being gathered by sensors, microphones, cameras, and the phones and devices drivers connect to their cars, as well as by car apps, company websites, dealerships, and vehicle telematics.”

In fact, the seasoned Mozilla team said “cars are the worst product category we have ever reviewed for privacy” after finding that all 25 car brands they researched earned the “Privacy Not Included” warning label.

Since that doesn’t give us much of a choice to go for a brand that respects our privacy, I suggest we turn of our phones before we start the car. It’s both safer and better for your privacy.

We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your and your family’s personal information by using Malwarebytes Identity Theft Protection.

Malvertiser copies PC news site to deliver infostealer

by makoadmin November 9, 2023

The majority of malvertising campaigns delivering malicious utilities that we have tracked so far typically deceive victims with pages that are almost the exact replica of the software vendor being impersonated. For example, we have seen fake websites appearing like the real Webex, AnyDesk or KeePass home page.

In a new campaign, we observed a threat actor copying a legitimate Windows news portal (WindowsReport.com) to distribute a malicious installer for the popular processor tool CPU-Z.

This type of website is often visited by geeks and system administrators to read the latest computer reviews, learn some tips and download software utilities. The Windows Report was never compromised and is legitimate, but rather threat actors copied its content to trick users.

This incident is a part of a larger malvertising campaign that targets other utilities like Notepad++, Citrix and VNC Viewer as seen in its infrastructure (domain names) and cloaking templates used to avoid detection. We have informed Google with the relevant details for takedown.

Google ad and filtering

The malicious ad is for CPU-Z, a popular utility for Windows users that want to troubleshoot their processor and other computer hardware details. The advertiser shows as Scott Cooper and is likely a compromised or fake identity.

One common technique used by threat actors to evade detection is to employ cloaking. Anyone clicking on the ad and who’s not the intended victim will see a standard blog with a number of articles.

We had previously identified another malicious ad using almost the same template.

Redirect to Windows news site lookalike

To show what happens when an actual victim clicks on the ad, here is the network traffic related to it as seen in the image below. This time, the corporatecomf[.]online website is no longer used to show a blog with articles but instead does a redirect (302 HTTP code) to another domain at workspace-app[.]online.

This domain uses content from the legitimate Windows portal WindowsReport.com and looks almost identical:

People who searched for CPU-Z and clicked the ad are now at the download page for the software, where they may wrongly assume that it is legitimate. The URL in the address bar does not match the real one, though.

There are several other domains hosted on the same IP address (74.119.192.188) also used in malvertising campaigns:

Signed MSIX installer

The payload is a digitally signed MSIX installer which contains a malicious PowerShell script, a loader known as FakeBat:

The script shows the malware command and control server as well as the remote payload (Redline stealer):

We are blocking the malvertising domains for all Malwarebytes customers:

ThreatDown, powered by Malwarebytes, already detected the final infostealer payload and we have added coverage for the its command and control servers as well.

It is possible the threat actor chose to create a decoy site looking like Windows Report because many software utilities are often downloaded from such portals instead of their official web page.

The download is also a signed MSI installer, which increases the chances for it to look legitimate from the operating system and antivirus software. These MSI loaders are quite common and allow threat actors to update the final payload by simply swapping a PowerShell script.

Software downloads have been a big target for the past year with criminals using a variety of tricks to deceive users and install malware. In an enterprise environment, it may be wise to verify a file’s checksum to ensure it has not been tampered with by comparing its SHA256 hash sum with what is posted on the vendor’s website.

Indicators of Compromise

Ad domains

argenferia[.]com
realvnc[.]pro
corporatecomf[.]online
cilrix-corp[.]pro
thecoopmodel[.]com
winscp-apps[.]online
wireshark-app[.]online
cilrix-corporate[.]online
workspace-app[.]online

Payload URLs

thecoopmodel[.]com/CPU-Z-x86.msix
kaotickontracting[.]info/account/hdr.jpg
ivcgroup[.]in/temp/Citrix-x64.msix
robo-claim[.]site/order/team.tar.gpg
argenferia[.]com/RealVNC-x64.msix

Payloads

55d3ed51c3d8f56ab305a40936b446f761021abfc55e5cc8234c98a2c93e99e1
9acbf1a5cd040c6dcecbe4e8e65044b380b7432f46c5fbf2ecdc97549487ca88
419e06194c01ca930ed5d7484222e6827fd24520e72bfe6892cfde95573ffa16
cf9589665615375d1ad22d3b84e97bb686616157f2092e2047adb1a7b378cc95

C2s

11234jkhfkujhs[.]site
11234jkhfkujhs[.]top
94.131.111[.]240
81.177.136[.]179

IT NEWS

The Kritec campaign

Threat actors ramp up their activity just in time for the holiday season

How to shop safely online

Indicators of Compromise

Data breach

Inconsistent and untrustworthy ads

IOCs

How to avoid ransomware

Data breach

Google ad and filtering

Redirect to Windows news site lookalike

Signed MSIX installer

Indicators of Compromise