Summary:
Symantec researchers have uncovered a RansomHub affiliate deploying Betruger, a sophisticated multi-function backdoor designed to enhance cyberattacks. This malware provides extensive capabilities, including capturing screenshots, logging keystrokes, scanning networks, dumping credentials, escalating privileges, and uploading files to a command-and-control server. By consolidating multiple attack functionalities into a single tool, Betruger allows attackers to streamline their operations and reduce their dwell time on compromised networks. Notably, the malware is disguised as legitimate applications with file names to evade detection.

Betruger was identified during an investigation into an attempted attack, leading researchers to discover additional cases of its use. While its deployment appears limited, indicating that it may be used by a single affiliate, the origin of its development remains unknown. The use of a multi-function backdoor like Betruger presents a tradeoff for attackers—while it minimizes the need for multiple tools, its presence may generate more activity that could expose the intrusion compared to leveraging legitimate remote management software.


RansomHub, a ransomware-as-a-service operation, has been highly active in the past year and has gained affiliates by offering more attractive terms than competing groups. Their model includes a higher percentage of ransom payouts for affiliates and an upfront payment structure where the victim pays the affiliate first before the operator takes a cut.

Security Officer Comments:
In addition to Betruger, RansomHub affiliates employ an extensive toolkit to carry out attacks. This includes Impacket for remote service execution and credential manipulation, Rclone for data exfiltration, Stowaway Proxy Tool for network traffic proxying, Mimikatz for credential theft, and NetScan for network discovery. Remote access tools such as ScreenConnect, Atera, Splashtop, and TightVNC are also commonly used to maintain persistence. Some affiliates have begun using Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYVOD) techniques to disable endpoint security solutions, most notably employing EDRKillshifter. Furthermore, RansomHub affiliates have exploited known vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2022-24521 for privilege escalation and CVE-2023-27532 for accessing backup infrastructure credentials.

Suggested Corrections:
IOCs:
https://www.security.com/threat-intelligence/ransomhub-betruger-backdoor


Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.


Update and patch systems promptly: This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk-based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.


Test your incident response plan: There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?


Check your security team's work: Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.


Segment your networks: There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks, and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety-critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.


Train employees: Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.


Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): External-facing assets that leverage single-factor authentication (SFA) are highly susceptible to brute-forcing attacks, password spraying, or unauthorized remote access using valid (stolen) credentials. Implementing MFA enhances security and adds an extra layer of protection.

Link(s):
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/202...e-leverages-multi-function-betruger-backdoor/