North Korea-linked APT Diamond Sleet supply chain attack relies on CyberLink software
Vulnerabilities mentionedAll →
| CVE | Vulnerability | CVSS | EPSS | Flags | Affected | Exposure | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2023-42793 | Authentication bypass in JetBrains TeamCity enables unauthenticated RCE JetBrains TeamCity Server, a widely used CI/CD build server, contains an authentication bypass vulnerability (CWE-288) that lets a remote, unauthenticated attacker gain administrative access without valid credentials. By sending crafted requests to the TeamCity server over the network, the attacker bypasses authentication and can then execute arbitrary code on the server via administrative and build features, achieving full remote code execution. An attacker gains control of the build server and, with it, access to source code, build artifacts, stored secrets and credentials, and a foothold for lateral movement or ransomware deployment. Any organization running an affected TeamCity Server is affected, especially instances reachable from the internet. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: CISA added the flaw to its KEV catalog on 2023-10-04 with known ransomware use, and EPSS assigns a 100% probability of exploitation within 30 days. Do: Upgrade TeamCity Server to 2023.05.4 or later per JetBrains' instructions, or apply vendor mitigations or discontinue use if patching is not possible (per the CISA KEV required action). Also take unpatched instances off the public internet, and hunt for signs of compromise such as unauthorized administrator accounts, unexpected changes in audit logs and build configurations, and stored secrets or tokens that may have been stolen, given known ransomware exploitation. | 9.8 | 100% | KEV ransomware PoC ×2 |
| largeTens of thousands of TeamCity Server deployments, of which several thousand are internet-exposed |
Indicators of compromiseauto-extracted · verify before use · export allAll →
| Type | Indicator | Context |
|---|---|---|
| domain | github.io | ebville[.]net/images/CL202966126.png hxxps[:]//cldownloader.github[.]io/logo.png The PNG file embeds a payload within a deceptive |
| domain | imgur.com | User-Agent ‘Microsoft Internet Explorer’: hxxps[:]//i.stack.imgur[.]com/NDTUM.png hxxps[:]//www.webville[.]net/images/CL202966126 |
| domain | webville.net | rer’: hxxps[:]//i.stack.imgur[.]com/NDTUM.png hxxps[:]//www.webville[.]net/images/CL202966126.png hxxps[:]//cldownloader.github[.]io |
| url | https://cldownloader.github[ | TUM.png hxxps[:]//www.webville[.]net/images/CL202966126.png hxxps[:]//cldownloader.github[.]io/logo.png The PNG file embeds a payload within a decep |
| url | https://i.stack.imgur[ | using the static User-Agent ‘Microsoft Internet Explorer’: hxxps[:]//i.stack.imgur[.]com/NDTUM.png hxxps[:]//www.webville[.]net/images/CL2029 |
| url | https://www.webville[ | Internet Explorer’: hxxps[:]//i.stack.imgur[.]com/NDTUM.png hxxps[:]//www.webville[.]net/images/CL202966126.png hxxps[:]//cldownloader.github |
Full article553 words · extracted from securityaffairs.com · click to collapse
Pierluigi Paganini
November 23, 2023
North Korea-linked APT group Diamond Sleet is distributing a trojanized version of the CyberLink software in a supply chain attack.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence researchers uncovered a supply chain attack carried out by North Korea-linked APT Diamond Sleet (ZINC) involving a trojanized variant of a CyberLink software. The attackers used a malware-laced version of a legitimate CyberLink application installer that was signed using a valid certificate issued to CyberLink Corp.. The installer is hosted on legitimate update infrastructure owned by software firm CyberLink and includes checks to limit the time window for execution and evade detection by security products.
According to Microsoft, the supply chain attack impacted over 100 devices in multiple countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Canada, and the United States.
The researchers observed the suspicious activity as early as October 20, 2023. Microsoft has yet to identify “hands-on-keyboard activity” carried out by the attackers after the compromise via this malware.
The malicious installer includes the weaponized downloader dubbed LambLoad. Before launching any malware, the LambLoad performs a series of checks to avoid the execution in a virtualized environemnt and to determine the presence on the host of specific security software.
The loader checks for the following process names:
- csfalconservice.exe (CrowdStrike Falcon)
- xagt.exe (FireEye agent)
- taniumclient.exe (Tanium EDR solution)
to avoid targeting systems protected by FireEye, CrowdStrike, or Tanium solutions.
“If these criteria are not met, the executable continues running the CyberLink software and abandons further execution of malicious code.” reads the report published by Microsoft. “Otherwise, the software attempts to contact one of three URLs to download the second-stage payload embedded inside a file masquerading as a PNG file using the static User-Agent ‘Microsoft Internet Explorer’:
- hxxps[:]//i.stack.imgur[.]com/NDTUM.png
- hxxps[:]//www.webville[.]net/images/CL202966126.png
- hxxps[:]//cldownloader.github[.]io/logo.png
The PNG file embeds a payload within a deceptive outer PNG header, and the system extracts, decrypts, and executes it in memory.
The attackers connect the malicious code to previously compromised C2 servers.
The report includes Indicators of compromise (IoCs) for this supply chain attacks.
Diamond Sleet is an APT group that operates under the Lazarus group’s umbrella, it has been active since at least 2013.
Microsoft has recently observed Diamond Sleet utilizing trojanized open-source and proprietary software to target organizations in information technology, defense, and media.
In October, Microsoft warned that North Korea-linked threat actors are actively exploiting a critical security vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-42793 (CVSS score: 9.8), in JetBrains TeamCity.
Microsoft attributed the recent attacks to two North Korean APT groups Diamond Sleet and Onyx Sleet, which operate under the Lazarus Group umbrella.
Update December 6, 2023 – Statement provided by CyberLink
On 11/22/2023 we identified a malware issue in the installation file for one of our multimedia programs, Promeo. Upon discovery, our dedicated cybersecurity team immediately removed the bug and additional security measures were put in place to prevent this from happening again in the future.
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of digital security and are taking this matter extremely seriously. Hence, as a precautionary measure, we made the decision to inspect the full lineup of CyberLink products (e.g. PowerDirector, PhotoDirector, PowerDVD) using trusted tools like Microsoft Defender, CrowdStrike, Symantec, TrendMicro, and Sophos software. We can confirm that none of the other programs were affected.
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(SecurityAffairs – hacking, North Korea)
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