HelloKitty Ransomware Group Exploiting Apache ActiveMQ Vulnerability
Vulnerabilities mentionedAll →
| CVE | Vulnerability | CVSS | EPSS | Flags | Affected | Exposure | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2023-46604 | Unauthenticated RCE in Apache ActiveMQ via OpenWire Deserialization CVE-2023-46604 is a critical deserialization flaw (CWE-502) in the Java OpenWire protocol marshaller of Apache ActiveMQ that permits unauthenticated remote code execution (CVSS 9.8). An attacker with network access to either a Java-based OpenWire broker or client can manipulate serialized class types in the OpenWire protocol, causing the peer to instantiate arbitrary classes on the classpath and execute arbitrary shell commands. Successful exploitation yields full command execution on the target broker or client, with no authentication or user interaction required. Affected parties include anyone running ActiveMQ broker or Java client versions prior to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3, as well as NetApp E-Series products and Debian packages that ship affected ActiveMQ/OpenWire components. Exploitation is confirmed in the wild: the flaw was added to CISA's KEV on 2023-11-02 with known ransomware use (RansomHub), and has been used to drop Kinsing malware, Godzilla web shells, and the DripDropper implant, in some cases with attackers patching the flaw post-exploitation to lock out competing intruders. Do: Upgrade all ActiveMQ brokers and Java OpenWire clients to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3 (or later), and apply the relevant NetApp E-Series and Debian updates for bundled components; restrict the OpenWire port (default TCP 61616) from untrusted networks. Hunt for indicators of the documented campaigns (Godzilla web shells, Kinsing malware, DripDropper, RansomHub) and verify the broker's current version, since attackers have been observed patching the flaw post-exploitation to hide from defenders. The CISA KEV listing means federal agencies must apply vendor mitigations or discontinue use of the product. | 9.8 | 100% | KEV ransomware PoC |
| largetens of thousands of internet-exposed OpenWire brokers (order of 10,000–100,000 by public scans), plus uncounted internal deployments and bundled NetApp/Debian… |
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Ravie LakshmananNov 02, 2023Threat Intelligence / Vulnerability
Cybersecurity researchers are warning of suspected exploitation of a recently disclosed critical security flaw in the Apache ActiveMQ open-source message broker service that could result in remote code execution.
"In both instances, the adversary attempted to deploy ransomware binaries on target systems in an effort to ransom the victim organizations," cybersecurity firm Rapid7 disclosed in a report published Wednesday.
"Based on the ransom note and available evidence, we attribute the activity to the HelloKitty ransomware family, whose source code was leaked on a forum in early October."
The intrusions are said to involve the exploitation of CVE-2023-46604, a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache ActiveMQ that allows a threat actor to run arbitrary shell commands.
It's worth noting that the vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 10.0, indicating maximum severity. It has been addressed in ActiveMQ versions 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3 released late last month.
The vulnerability affects the following versions -
- Apache ActiveMQ 5.18.0 before 5.18.3
- Apache ActiveMQ 5.17.0 before 5.17.6
- Apache ActiveMQ 5.16.0 before 5.16.7
- Apache ActiveMQ before 5.15.16
- Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module 5.18.0 before 5.18.3
- Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module 5.17.0 before 5.17.6
- Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module 5.16.0 before 5.16.7
- Apache ActiveMQ Legacy OpenWire Module 5.8.0 before 5.15.16
Since the bug's disclosure, a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code and additional technical specifics have been made publicly available, with Rapid7 noting that the behavior it observed in the two victim networks is "similar to what we would expect from exploitation of CVE-2023-46604."
Successful exploitation is followed by the adversary attempting to load remote binaries named M2.png and M4.png using the Windows Installer (msiexec).
Both the MSI files contain a 32-bit .NET executable named dllloader that, in turn, loads a Base64-encoded payload called EncDLL that functions akin to ransomware, searching and terminating a specific set of processes before commencing the encryption process and appending the encrypted files with the ".locked" extension.
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| Image Source: Shadowserver Foundation |
The Shadowserver Foundation said it found 3,326 internet-accessible ActiveMQ instances that are susceptible to CVE-2023-46604 as of November 1, 2023. A majority of the vulnerable servers are located in China, the U.S., Germany, South Korea, and India.
In light of the active exploitation of the flaw, users are recommended to update to the fixed version of ActiveMQ as soon as possible and scan their networks for indicators of compromise.
Update
Cybersecurity company Huntress has also confirmed the HelloKitty ransomware infections, stating "exploitation for this attack is trivial."
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