Security
Headlines
HeadlinesLatestCVEs

Headline

Hackers Using PowerPoint Mouseover Trick to Infect System with Malware

The Russian state-sponsored threat actor known as APT28 has been found leveraging a new code execution method that makes use of mouse movement in decoy Microsoft PowerPoint documents to deploy malware. The technique “is designed to be triggered when the user starts the presentation mode and moves the mouse,” cybersecurity firm Cluster25 said in a technical report. "The code execution runs a

The Hacker News
#vulnerability#mac#microsoft#backdoor#rce#The Hacker News

The Russian state-sponsored threat actor known as APT28 has been found leveraging a new code execution method that makes use of mouse movement in decoy Microsoft PowerPoint documents to deploy malware.

The technique “is designed to be triggered when the user starts the presentation mode and moves the mouse,” cybersecurity firm Cluster25 said in a technical report. “The code execution runs a PowerShell script that downloads and executes a dropper from OneDrive.”

The dropper, a seemingly harmless image file, functions as a pathway for a follow-on payload, a variant of a malware known as Graphite, which uses the Microsoft Graph API and OneDrive for command-and-control (C2) communications for retrieving additional payloads.

The attack employs a lure document that makes use of a template potentially linked to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based intergovernmental entity.

Cluster25 noted the attacks may be ongoing, considering that the URLs used in the attacks appeared active in August and September, although the hackers had previously laid the groundwork for the campaign between January and February.

Potential targets of the operation likely include entities and individuals operating in the defense and government sectors of Europe and Eastern Europe, the company added, citing an analysis of geopolitical objectives and the gathered artifacts.

This is not the first time the adversarial collective has deployed Graphite. In January 2022, Trellix disclosed a similar attack chain that exploited the MSHTML remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2021-40444) to drop the backdoor.

The development is a sign that APT28 (aka Fancy Bear) continues to hone its technical tradecraft and evolve its methods for maximum impact as exploitation routes once deemed viable (e.g., macros) cease to be profitable.

Found this article interesting? Follow THN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.

Related news

Microsoft MSHTML Flaw Exploited to Deliver MerkSpy Spyware Tool

Unknown threat actors have been observed exploiting a now-patched security flaw in Microsoft MSHTML to deliver a surveillance tool called MerkSpy as part of a campaign primarily targeting users in Canada, India, Poland, and the U.S. "MerkSpy is designed to clandestinely monitor user activities, capture sensitive information, and establish persistence on compromised systems," Fortinet FortiGuard

Cybercriminals Exploit Microsoft Word Vulnerabilities to Deploy LokiBot Malware

Microsoft Word documents exploiting known remote code execution flaws are being used as phishing lures to drop malware called LokiBot on compromised systems. "LokiBot, also known as Loki PWS, has been a well-known information-stealing Trojan active since 2015," Fortinet FortiGuard Labs researcher Cara Lin said. "It primarily targets Windows systems and aims to gather sensitive information from

New Attack Drops LokiBot Malware Via Malicious Macros in Word Docs

By Waqas LokiBot, a notorious Trojan active since 2015, specializes in stealing sensitive information from Windows machines, posing a significant threat to user data. This is a post from HackRead.com Read the original post: New Attack Drops LokiBot Malware Via Malicious Macros in Word Docs

Vulnerability Exploits, Not Phishing, Are the Top Cyberattack Vector for Initial Compromise

A slew of Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities (including ProxyLogon) fueled a surge in attacks targeting software flaws in 2021, but the trend has continued this year.

Most Q2 Attacks Targeted Old Microsoft Vulnerabilities

The most heavily targeted flaw last quarter was a remote code execution vulnerability in Microsoft Office that was disclosed and patched four years ago.

Internet Explorer Now Retired but Still an Attacker Target

Though the once-popular browser is officially now history as far as Microsoft support goes, adversaries won't stop attacking it, security experts say.

PHDays 11: towards the Independence Era

Hello everyone! In this episode, I want to talk about the Positive Hack Days 11 conference, which took place on May 18 and 19 in Moscow. As usual, I want to express my personal opinion about this event. Alternative video link (for Russia): https://vk.com/video-149273431_456239091 As I did last year, I want to start talking about this […]

Microsoft Releases Workaround for ‘One-Click’ 0Day Under Active Attack

Threat actors already are exploiting vulnerability, dubbed ‘Follina’ and originally identified back in April, to target organizations in Russia and Tibet, researchers said.

Microsoft Office MSDT Follina Proof Of Concept

Proof of concept for the remote code execution vulnerability in MSDT known as Follina.

CVE-2021-36338: DSA-2021-226: Dell EMC Unisphere for PowerMax, Dell EMC Unisphere for PowerMax vApp, Dell EMC Solutions Enabler vApp, Dell EMC Unisphere 360, Dell EMC VASA, and Dell EMC PowerMax EMB Mgmt Security Upd

Unisphere for PowerMax versions prior to 9.2.2.2 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability. An adjacent malicious user could potentially exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges and access functionalities they do not have access to. CVE-2022-31233 addresses the partial fix in CVE-2021-36338.

CVE-2021-40444

Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

The Hacker News: Latest News

Warning: Over 2,000 Palo Alto Networks Devices Hacked in Ongoing Attack Campaign