Go malware Capoae uses multiple flaws to target WordPress and Linux
Vulnerabilities mentionedAll →
| CVE | Vulnerability | CVSS | EPSS | Flags | Affected | Exposure | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2018-20062 | Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution in ThinkPHP-based noneCms 1.3 NoneCms V1.3, an open-source Chinese CMS built on the ThinkPHP 5.0.x framework, is vulnerable to unauthenticated remote code execution through the framework's URL dispatcher in thinkphp/library/think/App.php. Because the framework's 's' routing parameter can invoke arbitrary framework classes and methods, an attacker can pass a crafted 'filter' value (e.g., s=index/\think\Request/input&filter=phpinfo&data=1) that is applied to the 'data' argument as a callable, executing attacker-chosen PHP functions or code. Successful exploitation gives full code execution on the web server under the application's privileges, enabling web shells, botnet implants, and ransomware staging without any credentials or user interaction. Any internet-facing deployment of noneCms V1.3 — and, more broadly, applications running the affected ThinkPHP 5.0.x framework (the public PoC references 5.0.23) — is exposed. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2021-11-03), EPSS assigns a 99.5% probability of exploitation within 30 days, and headlines note botnets such as Enemybot and Chinese threat actors chaining ThinkPHP RCEs against CMS servers. Do: Apply updates per vendor instructions: upgrade noneCms to the latest release and update the bundled ThinkPHP 5.0.x framework to a patched build. Inspect web server and WAF logs for requests using the s=index/\think\Request/input&filter=... pattern and other ThinkPHP route-invocation payloads, and hunt for web shells or post-exploitation artifacts. Until patched, block or strictly validate the 's' and 'filter' query parameters at a WAF/reverse proxy and limit internet exposure of the application. | 9.8 | 100% | KEV PoC ×2 |
| nicheunknown exact count; plausibly on the order of hundreds to a few thousand self-hosted sites, with at least some internet-exposed instances | |
| CVE-2020-14882 | Remote Code Execution in Oracle WebLogic Server CVE-2020-14882 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Oracle WebLogic Server; its relationship to CVE-2020-14750 (a WebLogic administration console flaw) indicates it is reachable over the network, likely without authentication. An attacker who can reach a vulnerable WebLogic instance can trigger the flaw and execute arbitrary code in the context of the server. Successful exploitation can yield full control of the affected host, enabling data theft, lateral movement, and potentially ransomware deployment (ransomware use is currently unknown). Any organization running Oracle WebLogic Server is affected; WebLogic is widely deployed as a Java application server in large enterprises and government networks, and instances are frequently exposed to the internet. The vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2021-11-03) and carries a maximum EPSS score of 100%, indicating confirmed in-the-wild exploitation. Do: Apply Oracle's WebLogic Server updates per vendor instructions immediately, as this is a required action under the CISA KEV listing. Inventory environments for WebLogic deployments (commonly listening on ports 7001/7002), prioritize patching internet-facing instances, and restrict or firewall access to the WebLogic administration console until patched. Review access logs for signs of exploitation, and treat unpatched, externally reachable WebLogic servers as high risk given the 100% EPSS score and confirmed in-the-wild exploitation. | 9.8 | 100% | KEV PoC ×3 |
| large≈50,000–100,000 internet-exposed WebLogic systems (public internet-wide scan counts around 2020); many more deployed internally in enterprise networks |
Full article457 words · extracted from securityaffairs.com · click to collapse
Pierluigi Paganini
September 17, 2021
A new malware written in Golang programming language, tracked as Capoae, is targeting WordPress installs and Linux systems.
Akamai researchers spotted a new strain of malware written in Golang programming language, dubbed Capoae, that was involved in attacks aimed at WordPress installs and Linux systems.
The malware spread through attacks exploiting known vulnerabilities (i.e. CVE-2020-14882 Oracle WebLogic Server RCE, and CVE-2018-20062 ThinkPHP RCE) and targeting sites and systems protected with weak administrative credentials. Upon infecting a system, the malware abuses its resources to mine cryptocurrency.
The researchers discovered the threat after a sample of the malware targeted one Akamai honeypot. The attackers dropped a PHP malware sample through a backdoor linked to a WordPress plugin called Download-monitor, which was installed after the honeypot was accessed.
“Around the same time the news was spreading about these crypto mining malware attacks, SIRT honeypots were infected with PHP malware that arrived via a backdoored addition to a WordPress plugin named download-monitor.” said Akamai researcher Larry Cashdollar. “Download-monitor had been installed after the honeypot’s weak WordPress admin credentials had been guessed. A 3MB UPX packed Golang binary was also downloaded to /tmp. Upon examination, it was clear the malware had some decryption functionality and an encrypted file stored in another directory.”
The researchers also noticed that the attackers installed several web shells to carry out malicious activities such as uploading stolen files to a remote server controlled by the attackers. The analysis of the binary revealed the presence of a port scanner that is used to target randomly generated IP addresses and checking for ports to target with known exploits.
In order to achieve persistence, the malware first chooses a legitimate-looking system path from a small list of locations on a disk where you’d likely find system binaries, then it generates a random six-character filename, and uses these two pieces to copy itself into the new location on the disk and deletes itself. The malicious code injects/updates a Crontab entry that will trigger the execution of the above binary.
In order to detect the infection, Cashdollar recommends watching out system resource consumption, odd/unexpected running processes, suspicious artifacts (files, crontab entries, SSH keys, etc.), and suspicious access log entries, etc.. The researcher also shared a list of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) for this threat.
“The Capoae campaign’s use of multiple vulnerabilities and tactics highlights just how intent these operators are on getting a foothold on as many machines as possible. The good news is, the same techniques we recommend for most organizations to keep systems and networks secure still apply here.” concludes the analysis.
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