KingMiner Malware Targets Windows Servers and Uses 100% CPU To Mine Monero

KingMiner malware targets Windows server and utilizes entire CPU resources to mine Monero. The malware primarily targets Microsoft Servers using IIS\SQL.

The malware was first identified in June 2018, security researchers form Checkpoint detected new version of KingMiner with significant that bypass several detection engines.

KingMiner malware gains access to the machines by using brute force method to download Windows Scriptlet file (.sct) on the victim’s machine.

Then it will detect the CPU architecture of the infected machine and downloads the XML payload file based on the CPU architecture. The downloaded zip file includes five files.

config.json – XMRig CPU miner configuration file.
md5.txt – Text file containing only the string “zzz.”
powered.exe (called fix.exe in older versions) – The main executable file.
soundbox.dll/soundbox.dll – DLL files containing functions to be exported by powered.exe.
x.txt/y.png – Binary blob files. Note – This is not a real PNG file.

Researchers said the powered.exe is executed, then it creates XMRig miner and appends key on the registry, and executes functions from DLL files.

The function King1 decodes the binary blob file x.txt & y.png, which is the modified version of the XMRig CPU miner.

The XMRig CPU Miner designed to consume only 75% of the CPU resource but it consumes of 100%. The malware is evolving constantly and it has placeholders for future operations or upcoming updates which will make this malware even harder to detect.

Related Read

Powerful Mobile Malware Rotexy Launched over 70,000 Attacks with Banking Trojan & Ransomware Modules

$60 Million Worth Cryptocurrencies Stolen Hackers From Japanese Cryptocurrency Exchange

Bittrex Cryptocurrency Exchange Delist the Bitcoin Gold After They Declined to Pay 12,372 BTG for Cyber Attack

Gurubaran

Gurubaran is a co-founder of Cyber Security News and GBHackers On Security. He has 10+ years of experience as a Security Consultant, Editor, and Analyst in cybersecurity, technology, and communications.

Recent Posts

LightSpy iOS Malware Enhanced with 28 New Destructive Plugins

The LightSpy threat actor exploited publicly available vulnerabilities and jailbreak kits to compromise iOS devices.…

1 day ago

ATPC Cyber Forum to Focus on Next Generation Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Issues

White House National Cyber Director, CEOs, Key Financial Services Companies, Congressional and Executive Branch Experts…

3 days ago

New PySilon RAT Abusing Discord Platform to Maintain Persistence

Cybersecurity experts have identified a new Remote Access Trojan (RAT) named PySilon. This Trojan exploits…

3 days ago

Konni APT Hackers Attacking Organizations with New Spear-Phishing Tactics

The notorious Konni Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group has intensified its cyber assault on organizations…

3 days ago

Google Chrome Security, Critical Vulnerabilities Patched

Google has updated its Chrome browser, addressing critical vulnerabilities that posed potential risks to millions…

4 days ago

Notorious WrnRAT Delivered Mimic As Gambling Games

WrnRAT is a new malware attack that cybercriminals have deployed by using popular gambling games…

4 days ago