Sophisticated Celestial Stealer Targets Browsers to Steal Login Credentials

Researchers discovered Celestial Stealer, a JavaScript-based MaaS infostealer targeting Windows systems that, evading detection with obfuscation and anti-analysis techniques, steals data from various browsers, applications, and cryptocurrency wallets. 

It operates as an Electron or NodeJS application, injecting code into vulnerable apps and communicating with C2 servers.

The malware’s FUD status is maintained through regular updates and deceptive tactics, making it a persistent threat to user privacy and security.

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Malicious actors are distributing a stealer disguised as a VR Chat NSFW application, where the “VRChatERPSetup.zip” archive contains an executable (AppSetup.exe) that utilizes a multi-stage download process.

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The initial script (start.bat) decodes a base64 string to download the actual stealer (Celestial) from a C2 server, which is then used to steal user data, as the malware is sold as a service on sellix.io with a configuration bot allowing customization through Telegram. 

Celestial Stealer, a JavaScript-based information stealer, is packaged as either an Electron application or a standalone NodeJS executable, which employs various anti-analysis techniques, such as obfuscation and runtime checks, to evade detection and hinder analysis. 

The stealer’s capabilities include checking for tampering, analyzing system date and platform, and executing malicious actions, while the obfuscated code is decrypted and executed, often leveraging PowerShell scripts to hide its activities and maintain persistence. 

It is malware that targets user data and cryptocurrencies by checking for virtual environments and terminating itself if detected and steals user credentials, browsing history, and crypto-wallets by looking for specific files and registry entries. 

It injects malicious payloads into Exodus and Discord applications to steal passwords, 2FA codes, credit card information, and more by communicating with its C2 server to download payloads and upload stolen data. 

By stealing information from a user’s device, it can steal files containing certain keywords, take screenshots, and kill targeted applications.

In earlier versions, it used legitimate services to exfiltrate data but now it sends data to its own C2 server. 

It injects code into Discord and Exodus applications and steals information from those platforms as well, while the Lite version removes most of these functionalities and focuses on data exfiltration and avoids systems with specific HWIDs.  

According to Trellix, it targets both Chromium and Gecko-based browsers and applications like Discord and Exodus, which evades detection through advanced anti-VM and anti-analysis techniques, and continuous updates ensure its persistence. 

By extracting sensitive data such as passwords and cookies, Celestial Stealer poses a significant risk to user security, highlighting the growing danger of JavaScript-based attacks that often disguise themselves as legitimate applications.

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