Check Point Identifies New Banking, MaliBot Malwares that Poses Danger for Users of Mobile Banking

Check Point Research (CPR), the Threat Intelligence arm of Check Point Software Technologies, a leading provider of cyber security solutions globally, has published its latest Global Threat Index for June 2022. CPR reports that a new Android banking malware has emerged, named MaliBot, following the takedown of FluBot at the end of May.

 

Although only just discovered, MaliBot, a banking, has already reached third place in the most prevalent mobile malwares list. It disguises itself as cryptocurrency mining applications under different names and targets users of mobile banking to steal financial information.

Similar to FluBot, MaliBot uses phishing SMS messages (smishing) to lure victims into clicking on a malicious link that redirects them to the download of a fake application containing the malware.

Also this month, the notorious malware, Emotet, is still the most prevalent malware overall. Snake Keylogger comes in third after an increase in activity since appearing in eighth place last month. Snake’s main functionality is to record users keystrokes and transmit collected data to threat actors.

While in May CPR witnessed Snake Keylogger being delivered via PDF files, recently it has been spread through emails containing Word attachments tagged as requests for quotations. Researchers also reported about new variant of Emotet in June that has credit card stealing capabilities and targets Chrome browser users.

“While it’s always good to see law enforcement successful in bringing down cybercrime groups or malwares like FluBot, sadly it didn’t take long for a new mobile malware to take its place,” said Maya Horowitz, VP Research at Check Point Software.

“Cybercriminals are well aware of the central role that mobile devices play in many peoples’ lives and are always adapting and improving their tactics to match. The threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and mobile malware is a significant danger for both personal and enterprise security. It’s never been more important to have a robust mobile threat prevention solution in place.”

CPR also revealed that “Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution” is the most commonly exploited vulnerability, impacting 43% of organizations worldwide, closely followed by “Web Server Exposed Git Repository Information Disclosure” which has a global impact of 42.3%. “Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal” is in third place with a global impact of 42.1%.

Top Malware Families

This month, Emotet is still the most popular malware with a global impact of 14%, followed by Formbook and Snake Keylogger, each impacting 4.4% of organizations worldwide.

In Nigeria, Ramnit has a country impact of 14.10% followed by Phorpiex at 10.26% and Formbook at 8.97%.

1. Emotet– Emotet is an advanced, self-propagating and modular Trojan. Emotet was once used as a banking Trojan, but recently is used as a distributer to other malware or malicious campaigns. It uses multiple methods for maintaining persistence and evasion techniques to avoid detection. In addition, it can be spread through phishing spam emails containing malicious attachments or links.
2. Phorpiex– Phorpiex is a botnet (aka Trik) that has been active since 2010 and at its peak controlled more than a million infected hosts. It is known for distributing other malware families via spam campaigns as well as fueling large-scale spam and sextortion campaigns.
3. Formbook – FormBook is an Infostealer targeting the Windows OS and was first detected in 2016. It is marketed as Malware as a Service (MaaS) in underground hacking forums for its strong evasion techniques and relatively low price. FormBook harvests credentials from various web browsers, collects screenshots, monitors and logs keystrokes, and can download and execute files according to orders from its C&C.

Top Attacked Industries Globally

This month Education/Research is still the most attacked industry globally, followed by Government/Military and Healthcare. In Africa ISP/MSP is the most industry this month, followed by Communications and Government/Military.

1. ISP/MSP
2. Communications
3. Government/Military

Top Exploited Vulnerabilities

This month, “Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution” is the most commonly exploited vulnerability, impacting 43% of organizations worldwide, closely followed by “Web Server Exposed Git Repository Information Disclosure” which has a global impact of 42.3%. “Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal” is in third place with a global impact of 42.1%.

↑ Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution (CVE-2021-44228) – A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Apache Log4j. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

1. ↑ Web Server Exposed Git Repository Information Disclosure – An information disclosure vulnerability has been reported in Git Repository. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an unintentional disclosure of account information.
2. ↓Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal (CVE-2010-4598,CVE-2011-2474,CVE-2014-0130,CVE-2014-0780,CVE-2015-0666,CVE-2015-4068,CVE-2015-7254,CVE-2016-4523,CVE-2016-8530,CVE-2017-11512,CVE-2018-3948,CVE-2018-3949,CVE-2019-18952,CVE-2020-5410,CVE-2020-8260) –There exists a directory traversal vulnerability on different web servers. The vulnerability is due to an input validation error in a web server that does not properly sanitize the URL for the directory traversal patterns. Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated remote attackers to disclose or access arbitrary files on the vulnerable server.

Top Mobile Malwares

This month AlienBot is the most prevalent mobile malware, followed by Anubis and MaliBot.

1. AlienBot – AlienBot malware family is a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) for Android devices that allows a remote attacker, as a first step, to inject malicious code into legitimate financial applications. The attacker obtains access to victims’ accounts, and eventually completely controls their device.
2. Anubis – Anubis is a banking Trojan designed for Android mobile phones. Since it was initially detected, it has gained additional functions including Remote Access Trojan (RAT) functionality, keylogger, audio recording capabilities and various ransomware features. It has been detected on hundreds of different applications available in the Google Store.
3. MaliBot – Malibot is an Android Banking malware that has been spotted targeting users in Spain and Italy. The Banking disguises itself as crypto mining applications under different names and focuses on stealing financial information, crypto wallets and more personal data.

Check Point’s Global Threat Impact Index and its ThreatCloud Map is powered by Check Point’s ThreatCloud intelligence. ThreatCloud provides real-time threat intelligence derived from hundreds of millions of sensors worldwide, over networks, endpoints and mobiles. The intelligence is enriched with AI-based engines and exclusive research data from Check Point Research, The Intelligence & Research Arm of Check Point Software Technologies.