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Linux Botnet Adding BlueKeep-Flawed Windows RDP Servers to Its Target List

Vulnerabilities mentionedAll →

CVEVulnerabilityCVSSEPSSFlagsAffectedExposurePublished
CVE-2016-3088
Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload Leading to RCE in Apache ActiveMQ Fileserver

CVE-2016-3088 is an improper input-validation flaw (CWE-434) in the Fileserver web application bundled with Apache ActiveMQ 5.x, which lets anyone upload files to the broker without authenticating. An attacker triggers it by sending an HTTP PUT request that uploads an attacker-controlled file (typically a crafted JSP) and then an HTTP MOVE request that relocates that file into a directory served by the embedded web console, where the Jetty web container executes it. This yields unauthenticated remote code execution with the privileges of the ActiveMQ process (CVSS 3.1: 9.8 critical, network-vector, no privileges or user interaction required). Any deployment of ActiveMQ 5.x prior to 5.14.0 is affected, and internet-exposed brokers are the most directly at risk. The flaw is actively exploited: it is in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2022-02-10), has a public PoC on Exploit-DB, a 98.5% EPSS score, and has been used by real-world malware such as the XBash ransomware/miner and the Pro-Ocean crypto-mining campaign.

Do: Upgrade to Apache ActiveMQ 5.14.0 or later, ideally a current supported release per vendor instructions. If upgrading is not immediately possible, disable or remove the Fileserver web application or restrict network access to the embedded Jetty web console (default TCP 8161) so it is not internet-exposed. Check web-access logs for suspicious HTTP PUT/MOVE requests against /fileserver/ and for unexpected JSP or script files in the web console directories, which would indicate prior compromise.

9.899% KEV PoC
  • apache activemq 5.x before 5.14.0
largetens of thousands of internet-exposed ActiveMQ brokers (public scans index on the order of 10,000-100,000 exposed instances)
CVE-2018-1000861
Unauthenticated RCE in Jenkins Stapler Web Framework via Crafted URLs

CVE-2018-1000861 is a critical flaw (CVSS 3.1: 9.8) in the Stapler web framework used by Jenkins, located in stapler/core/src/main/java/org/kohsuke/stapler/MetaClass.java, where crafted URLs cause the framework to invoke Java object methods that were never intended to be reachable over HTTP (CWE-502, deserialization of untrusted data). By chaining these unintended method invocations, an unauthenticated remote attacker can achieve code execution on the affected Jenkins instance. All Jenkins releases up to and including 2.153 (weekly line) and 2.138.3 (LTS line) are affected, and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform deployments that ship bundled Jenkins/Stapler components are also in scope. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added the flaw to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-02-10, EPSS assigns a 98.3% probability of exploitation within 30 days, and related reporting documents hackers exploiting this Jenkins flaw, with coverage of the WatchBog cryptomining botnet known to target it. No public proof-of-concept exploit is catalogued and ransomware use is unknown, but the KEV listing alone confirms real-world exploitation.

Do: Upgrade Jenkins to a release newer than 2.153 (weekly) or newer than 2.138.3 (LTS), per vendor instructions (fixed releases are 2.154 / 2.138.4 or later), and apply Red Hat updates for OpenShift Container Platform images that bundle Jenkins. Until patched, keep Jenkins controllers off the open internet, restrict unauthenticated/anonymous access to the Jenkins UI, and review controller logs for crafted URLs that invoke unintended methods on Java objects. Because the flaw is in CISA KEV with a 98.3% EPSS score, treat patching as urgent and check internet-exposed controllers for signs of compromise such as cryptomining activity.

9.898% KEV
  • Jenkins (Stapler web framework, MetaClass.java) Weekly 2.153 and earlier; LTS 2.138.3 and earlier
  • Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform (via bundled Jenkins components)
mass≈100,000+ internet-exposed Jenkins instances; total Jenkins deployments likely >1M
CVE-2019-0192
In Apache Solr versions 5.0.0 to 5.5.5 and 6.0.0 to 6.6.5, the Config API allows to configure the JMX server via an HTTP POST request.

In Apache Solr versions 5.0.0 to 5.5.5 and 6.0.0 to 6.6.5, the Config API allows to configure the JMX server via an HTTP POST request. By pointing it to a malicious RMI server, an attacker could take advantage of Solr's unsafe deserialization to trigger remote code execution on the Solr side.

NVD description · AI analysis pending
9.878%
  • apache solr
  • apache storage automation store
CVE-2019-10149
Unvalidated Email Recipient Enables Remote Command Execution in Exim MTA

CVE-2019-10149 is an improper input validation flaw (CWE-78, OS command injection) in the deliver_message() function in /src/deliver.c of the Exim mail transfer agent, where email recipient addresses are not safely validated before use. A remote attacker triggers it by sending mail whose recipient address contains crafted Exim string-expansion syntax (such as ${run{...}}), causing Exim to expand and execute attacker-supplied operating-system commands during recipient verification or delivery. An attacker gains arbitrary remote command execution on the mail server, commonly with elevated privileges, enabling full system compromise, data theft, ransomware deployment (e.g., the Trinity ransomware campaign), or installation of botnet implants. Any organization running an internet-exposed Exim MTA in the affected version range is at risk, and Exim is widely deployed as the default mail server on many Linux distributions. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: mass scanning and compromise campaigns began shortly after the June 2019 disclosure, CISA added the flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-01-10, and its EPSS score of 100% (100th percentile) reflects near-certain near-term exploitation risk.

Do: Upgrade Exim to 4.92 or later, or install your distribution's patched Exim package, as required by CISA's KEV action ('apply updates per vendor instructions'); if patching must be delayed, restrict internet-facing SMTP access and tighten recipient-verification configuration. Check mail logs for suspicious MAIL FROM/RCPT TO addresses containing expansion syntax such as ${run{...}} or shell-like commands, and audit patched servers for post-compromise artifacts such as unusual cron jobs, downloaded binaries, or new authorized SSH keys.

9.8100% KEV PoC ×5
  • Exim Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) Exim 4.87 through 4.91 inclusive, per the vendor's advisory (fixed in 4.92 and via vendor-backported patches; the CISA data provided does not list a specific ve
mass≈500,000+ internet-exposed Exim SMTP servers, with hundreds of thousands likely running vulnerable versions
CVE-2019-11581
Unauthenticated SSTI RCE in Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center

Atlassian Jira Server and Data Center contain a server-side template injection (CWE-74) in the ContactAdministrators and SendBulkMail actions, rated critical at CVSS 9.8. The flaw is triggered by sending crafted, template-syntax input to these mail-related actions over the network; because the vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction per the CVSS vector, any attacker who can reach the Jira web interface can trigger it. Successful exploitation yields unauthenticated remote code execution on the server hosting Jira, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations running any Jira Server or Data Center release in the 4.4–7.6, 7.7–7.13, 8.0, 8.1, or 8.2 lines prior to the listed fixed versions are affected, and the exposure is concentrated among instances reachable from the internet. The flaw is actively exploited: it was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-07 with a required action to apply vendor updates, and EPSS places it in the 100th percentile (~84.6% probability of exploitation within 30 days).

Do: Apply the vendor updates per Atlassian/CISA instructions — upgrade to Jira 7.6.14, 7.13.5, 8.0.3, 8.1.2, or 8.2.3 (or later) as applicable, since this is a KEV item with a required patching action. As an interim mitigation, disable the 'Allow users to contact administrators' option in Jira's General Configuration to close the ContactAdministrators path and restrict SendBulkMail access, and limit exposure of the Jira web interface to the internet. Review access logs for requests hitting ContactAdministrators/SendBulkMail endpoints containing template injection payloads and hunt for signs of post-exploitation code execution on affected servers.

9.885% KEV
  • Atlassian Jira Server All versions from 4.4.0 before 7.6.14, from 7.7.0 before 7.13.5, from 8.0.0 before 8.0.3, from 8.1.0 before 8.1.2, and from 8.2.0 before 8.2.3
  • Atlassian Jira Data Center All versions from 4.4.0 before 7.6.14, from 7.7.0 before 7.13.5, from 8.0.0 before 8.0.3, from 8.1.0 before 8.1.2, and from 8.2.0 before 8.2.3
largetens of thousands of internet-exposed Jira Server/Data Center instances
CVE-2019-7238
Incorrect Access Control in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager before 3.15.0

CVE-2019-7238 is an incorrect access control flaw in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager versions before 3.15.0 that is triggerable over the network by unauthenticated attackers with no user interaction, earning a critical CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Any attacker who can reach a vulnerable instance can gain high-impact access to the repository server, consistent with full compromise of the system and the software artifacts it hosts and serves. All deployments running Nexus Repository Manager releases prior to 3.15.0 are affected, whether exposed to the internet or hosted internally as part of build and CI/CD pipelines. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added the flaw to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog on 2021-12-10 (ransomware use unknown), EPSS assigns a 77.1% probability of exploitation within 30 days, no public PoC is known, and the related WatchBog Linux botnet headlines are consistent with the cryptomining campaigns that targeted Nexus Repository Manager deployments in this period.

Do: Upgrade all Nexus Repository Manager deployments to version 3.15.0 or later per Sonatype and CISA instructions, and inventory any 3.x instances still running older releases, prioritizing internet-facing ones. Restrict network access to the Nexus service to trusted networks and users, and check instances for signs of compromise such as unexpected cryptomining processes or outbound connections to Pastebin, consistent with the botnet campaigns referenced in related reporting.

9.877% KEV
  • sonatype nexus repository manager all versions before 3.15.0
large≈10,000–100,000 internet-exposed Nexus Repository Manager instances, with a likely larger total installed base including internal-only deployments
Full article566 words · extracted from thehackernews.com · click to collapse

The Hacker NewsJul 25, 2019

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new variant of WatchBog, a Linux-based cryptocurrency mining malware botnet, which now also includes a module to scan the Internet for Windows RDP servers vulnerable to the Bluekeep flaw.

BlueKeep is a highly-critical, wormable, remote code execution vulnerability in the Windows Remote Desktop Services that could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to take full control over vulnerable systems just by sending specially crafted requests over RDP protocol.

Though the patches for the BlueKeep vulnerability (CVE–2019-0708) was already released by Microsoft in May this year, more than 800,000 Windows machines accessible over the Internet are still vulnerable to the critical flaw.

Fortunately, even after many individuals in the security community developed working remote code exploits for BlueKeep, there is no public proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit available till the date, potentially preventing opportunistic hackers from wreaking havoc.

However, cybersecurity firm Immunity just yesterday released an updated version of its commercial automated vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) tool, CANVAS 7.23, which includes a new module for the BlueKeep RDP exploit.

It appears the attackers behind WatchBog are using their botnet network to prepare "a list of vulnerable systems to target in the future or to sell to third party vendors for profit," warned the researchers from Intezer Lab, who discovered the new WatchBog variant.

"The incorporation of the BlueKeep scanner by a Linux botnet may indicate WatchBog is beginning to explore financial opportunities on a different platform," the researchers said.

The BlueKeep scanner included in WatchBog scans the Internet and then submits the list of newly discovered RDP hosts, as a hexadecimal data string encrypted using RC4, to the attacker-controlled servers.

According to the researcher, the new WatchBog variant has already compromised more than 4,500 Linux machines in the last two months.

Although WatchBog is operating since late last year, attackers are distributing its new variant in an ongoing campaign active since early June this year.

The newly-discovered WatchBog variant includes a new spreading module along with exploits for some recently patched vulnerabilities in Linux applications, allowing attackers to find and compromise more Linux systems rapidly.

The WatchBog Linux botnet malware contains several modules, as structurally briefed below, which leverages recently patched vulnerabilities in Exim, Jira, Solr, Jenkins, ThinkPHP and Nexus applications to compromise Linux machines.

Pwn Module

  • CVE-2019-11581 (Jira)
  • CVE-2019-10149 (Exim)
  • CVE-2019-0192 (Solr)
  • CVE-2018-1000861 (Jenkins)
  • CVE-2019-7238 (Nexus Repository Manager 3)

Scanning Module

  • BlueKeep Scanner
  • Jira Scanner
  • Solr Scanner

Brute-forcing Module

  • CouchDB instances
  • Redis instances

Spreading Module

  • Apache ActiveMQ (CVE-2016-3088)
  • Solr (CVE-2019-0192)
  • Code Execution over Redis

After scanning and brute-forcing modules discover a Linux machine running the vulnerable application, WatchBog deploys a script on the targeted machine to download Monero miner modules from Pastebin website.

The malicious script then also gains persistence on the infected system via crontab and further downloads a new spreader module, which comes in the form of a dynamically linked Cython-compiled ELF executable.

Researchers have recommended Linux and Windows administrators to keep their software and operating systems up-to-date against known vulnerabilities in order to prevent themselves from being a victim of such attack campaigns.

You can find if WatchBog has infected your Linux machine by checking the existence of the "/tmp/.tmplassstgggzzzqpppppp12233333" file or the "/tmp/.gooobb" file on your system.

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Text extracted automatically; images, tables and formatting may be missing. Original: https://thehackernews.com/2019/07/linux-malware-windows-bluekeep.html