MalwareMustDie

Last updated
MalwareMustDie
AbbreviationMMD
FormationAugust 28, 2012;11 years ago (2012-08-28)
Type
Purpose
Headquarters Japan, Germany, France, United States
Region
Global
Membership
< 100
Website www.malwaremustdie.org

MalwareMustDie, NPO [1] [2] is a whitehat security research workgroup that was launched in August 2012. MalwareMustDie is a registered nonprofit organization as a medium for IT professionals and security researchers gathered to form a work flow to reduce malware infection in the internet. The group is known for their malware analysis blog. [3] They have a list [4] of Linux malware research and botnet analysis that they have completed. The team communicates information about malware in general and advocates for better detection for Linux malware. [5]

MalwareMustDie is also known for their efforts in original analysis for a new emerged malware or botnet, sharing of their found malware source code [6] to the law enforcement and security industry, operations to dismantle several malicious infrastructure, [7] [8] technical analysis on specific malware's infection methods and reports for the cyber crime emerged toolkits.

Several notable internet threats that were first discovered and announced by MalwareMustDie are:

MalwareMustDie has also been active in analysis for client vector threat's vulnerability. For example, Adobe Flash CVE - 2013-0634 (LadyBoyle SWF exploit) [56] [57] and other undisclosed Adobe vulnerabilities in 2014 have received Security Acknowledgments for Independent Security Researchers from Adobe. [58] Another vulnerability researched by the team was reverse engineering a proof of concept for a backdoor case (CVE - 2016-6564) of one brand of Android phone device that was later found to affect 2 billion devices. [59]

Recent activity of the team still can be seen in several noted threat disclosures, for example, the "FHAPPI" state-sponsored malware attack, [60] the finding of first ARC processor malware, [61] [62] [63] and "Strudel" threat analysis (credential stealing scheme). [64] The team continues to post new Linux malware research on Twitter and their subreddit.

MalwareMustDie compares their mission to the Crusades, emphasizing the importance of fighting online threats out of a sense of moral duty. Many people have joined the group because they want to help the community by contributing to this effort. [65]

Related Research Articles

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In computing, a denial-of-service attack is a cyber-attack in which the perpetrator seeks to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users by temporarily or indefinitely disrupting services of a host connected to a network. Denial of service is typically accomplished by flooding the targeted machine or resource with superfluous requests in an attempt to overload systems and prevent some or all legitimate requests from being fulfilled. The range of attacks varies widely, spanning from inundating a server with millions of requests to slow its performance, overwhelming a server with a substantial amount of invalid data, to submitting requests with an illegitimate IP address.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of computer viruses and worms</span> Computer malware timeline

This timeline of computer viruses and worms presents a chronological timeline of noteworthy computer viruses, computer worms, Trojan horses, similar malware, related research and events.

Linux malware includes viruses, Trojans, worms and other types of malware that affect the Linux family of operating systems. Linux, Unix and other Unix-like computer operating systems are generally regarded as very well-protected against, but not immune to, computer viruses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zombie (computing)</span> Compromised computer used for malicious tasks on a network

In computing, a zombie is a computer connected to the Internet that has been compromised by a hacker via a computer virus, computer worm, or trojan horse program and can be used to perform malicious tasks under the remote direction of the hacker. Zombie computers often coordinate together in a botnet controlled by the hacker, and are used for activities such as spreading e-mail spam and launching distributed denial-of-service attacks against web servers. Most victims are unaware that their computers have become zombies. The concept is similar to the zombie of Haitian Voodoo folklore, which refers to a corpse resurrected by a sorcerer via magic and enslaved to the sorcerer's commands, having no free will of its own. A coordinated DDoS attack by multiple botnet machines also resembles a "zombie horde attack", as depicted in fictional zombie films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Botnet</span> Collection of compromised internet-connected devices controlled by a third party

A botnet is a group of Internet-connected devices, each of which runs one or more bots. Botnets can be used to perform distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, steal data, send spam, and allow the attacker to access the device and its connection. The owner can control the botnet using command and control (C&C) software. The word "botnet" is a portmanteau of the words "robot" and "network". The term is usually used with a negative or malicious connotation.

Koobface is a network worm that attacks Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms. This worm originally targeted users of networking websites like Facebook, Skype, Yahoo Messenger, and email websites such as GMail, Yahoo Mail, and AOL Mail. It also targets other networking websites, such as MySpace, Twitter, and it can infect other devices on the same local network. Technical support scammers also fraudulently claim to their intended victims that they have a Koobface infection on their computer by using fake popups and using built-in Windows programs.

Virut is a cybercrime malware botnet, operating at least since 2006, and one of the major botnets and malware distributors on the Internet. In January 2013, its operations were disrupted by the Polish organization Naukowa i Akademicka Sieć Komputerowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gameover ZeuS</span> Peer-to-peer botnet

GameOver ZeuS (GOZ), also known as peer-to-peer (P2P) ZeuS, ZeuS3, and GoZeus, is a Trojan horse developed by Russian cybercriminal Evgeniy Bogachev. Created in 2011 as a successor to Jabber Zeus, another project of Bogachev's, the malware is notorious for its usage in bank fraud resulting in damages of approximately $100 million and being the main vehicle through which the CryptoLocker ransomware attack was conducted, resulting in millions of dollars of losses. At the peak of its activity in 2012 and 2013, between 500,000 and 1 million computers were infected with GameOver ZeuS.

XOR DDoS is a Linux Trojan malware with rootkit capabilities that was used to launch large-scale DDoS attacks. Its name stems from the heavy usage of XOR encryption in both malware and network communication to the C&Cs. It is built for multiple Linux architectures like ARM, x86 and x64. Noteworthy about XOR DDoS is the ability to hide itself with an embedded rootkit component which is obtained by multiple installation steps. It was discovered in September 2014 by MalwareMustDie, a white hat malware research group. From November 2014 it was involved in massive brute force campaign that lasted at least for three months.

Dridex, also known as Bugat and Cridex, is a form of malware that specializes in stealing bank credentials via a system that utilizes macros from Microsoft Word.

Dendroid is malware that affects Android OS and targets the mobile platform.

BASHLITE is malware which infects Linux systems in order to launch distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS). Originally it was also known under the name Bashdoor, but this term now refers to the exploit method used by the malware. It has been used to launch attacks of up to 400 Gbps.

Mirai is malware that turns networked devices running Linux into remotely controlled bots that can be used as part of a botnet in large-scale network attacks. It primarily targets online consumer devices such as IP cameras and home routers. The Mirai botnet was first found in August 2016 by MalwareMustDie, a white hat malware research group, and has been used in some of the largest and most disruptive distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, including an attack on 20 September 2016 on computer security journalist Brian Krebs' website, an attack on French web host OVH, and the October 2016 DDoS attacks on Dyn. According to a chat log between Anna-senpai and Robert Coelho, Mirai was named after the 2011 TV anime series Mirai Nikki.

Remaiten is malware which infects Linux on embedded systems by brute forcing using frequently used default username and passwords combinations from a list in order to infect a system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linux.Wifatch</span> Malware that secures infected devices

Linux.Wifatch is an open-source piece of malware which has been noted for not having been used for malicious actions, instead attempting to secure devices from other malware.

Linux Spike Trojan malware, more widely known as MrBlack, is a type of malware that infects routers, and eventually spreads to other routers. Incapsula, an internet security firm, first saw this malware in December 2014. This tool is prone to attack devices that still use the default credentials. A "bot" is a type of malware that allows an attacker to take control over an affected computer. Also known as "Web robots," bots are usually part of a network of infected machines, known as a "botnet," which is typically made up of victim machines that stretch across the globe.

Emotet is a malware strain and a cybercrime operation believed to be based in Ukraine. The malware, also known as Heodo, was first detected in 2014 and deemed one of the most prevalent threats of the decade. In 2021, the servers used for Emotet were disrupted through global police action in Germany and Ukraine and brought under the control of law enforcement.

njRAT Remote access tool

njRAT, also known as Bladabindi, is a remote access tool (RAT) with user interface or trojan which allows the holder of the program to control the end-user's computer. It was first found in June 2013 with some variants traced to November 2012. It was made by a hacking organization from different countries called M38dHhM and was often used against targets in the Middle East. It can be spread through phishing and infected drives. To date, there are many versions of this virus, the most famous of which is njRAT Green Edition.

Hajime is a malware which appears to be similar to the Wifatch malware in that it appears to attempt to secure devices. Hajime is also far more advanced than Mirai, according to various researchers.

Hack Forums is an Internet forum dedicated to discussions related to hacker culture and computer security. The website ranks as the number one website in the "Hacking" category in terms of web-traffic by the analysis company Alexa Internet. The website has been widely reported as facilitating online criminal activity, such as the case of Zachary Shames, who was arrested for selling keylogging software on Hack Forums in 2013 which was used to steal personal information.

References

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  2. ↑ Darren Pauli (September 12, 2013). "The rise of the whitehats". IT News. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "MalwareMustDie! · MMD Malware Research Blog". blog.malwaremustdie.org.
  4. ↑ unixfreaxjp (November 22, 2016). "Linux Malware Research List Updated". MalwareMustDie. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. ↑ Emiliano Martinez (November 11, 2014). "virustotal += Detailed ELF information". Virus Total . Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  6. ↑ Ram Kumar (June 4, 2013). "Ransomware, IRC Worm, Zeus, Botnets source codes shared in Germany Torrent". E Hacking News. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Catalin Cimpanu (June 24, 2016). "Ukrainian Group May Be Behind New DELoader Malware". Softpedia . Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  8. ↑ UnderNews Actu (July 27, 2013). "Malware Must Die : Operation Tango Down - sur des sites russes malveillants". undernews.fr. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  9. ↑ Dan Goodin (January 7, 2014). "Researchers warn of new, meaner ransomware with unbreakable crypto". Ars Technica . Retrieved 7 January 2014.
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  12. ↑ Michael Mimoso (August 28, 2013). "Kelihos Relying on CBL Blacklists to Evaluate New Bots". Threat Post. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
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  24. ↑ Catalin Cimpanu (October 14, 2016). "A New Linux Trojan Called NyaDrop Threatens the IoT Landscape". Softpedia . Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  25. ↑ Charlie Osborne (November 1, 2016). "Hackers release new malware into the wild for Mirai botnet successor". ZDNET . Retrieved 1 November 2016.
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  41. ↑ Pierluigi Paganini, Odisseus and Unixfreaxjp (February 9, 2019). "Exclusive – MalwareMustDie Team analyzed the Cayosin Botnet and its criminal ecosystem". www.securityaffairs.co. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  42. ↑ Paul Scott (February 3, 2019). "Tragedy strikes! Cayosin Botnet combines Qbot and Mirai to cause Erradic behavior". perchsecurity.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
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  50. ↑ Brittany Day (April 3, 2020). "Linux Malware: The Truth About This Growing Threat". Linux Security. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
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  61. ↑ Mrs. Smith (January 15, 2018). "Mirai Okiru: New DDoS botnet targets ARC-based IoT devices". CSO Online . Retrieved 15 January 2018.
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  64. ↑ Francesco Bussoletti (February 11, 2019). "Cybercrime launched a mass credential harvesting process, leveraging an IoT botnet". www.difesaesicurezza.com. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  65. ↑ Taylor, Laura (2017). "Fight Back Against Cybercrime". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3532785. ISSN   1556-5068.
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