Momentum Botnet Attacks Linux Devices and Recruit them as Botnet to Launch DDoS Attacks Using 36 Different Methods

Security researchers from Trend Micro observed a new malware activity targeting devices running the Linux platform, the malware samples found to be connected with Momentum Botnet.

The malware campaign targets to install a backdoor on the Linux platform that accepts commands from attackers server to conduct various types of DoS attacks against a given target.

Momentum Botnet Attack Campaign

The Momentum botnet targets the Linux platform running on various CPU architectures such as ARM, MIPS, Intel, Motorola 68020, and more. Mirai, Kaiten, and Bashlite are the backdoor variants distributed by the Momentum botnet.

The botnet exploits various vulnerabilities on the targeted router devices and web services to deploy and execute PowerShell scripts.

Botnet servers

Once the botnet infects the device it modified run commands config file “rc” and adds them to command and control (C&C) server through internet relay chat (IRC) channel.

Then the infected device gets connected with the distribution server, it uses various commands to launch 36 different methods using the compromised devices.

CommandDescription
ACKACK flooder
ADV-TCPTCP flooding – Improved SSYN Attack
BLACKNURSEAn ICMP packet flooder
DNSDNS amplification flooder
ECE attacking (Not in use)Type of SYN flood
ESSYNExecuteSpoofedSyn Flooder
FIN attacking (Not in use)FIN flood
FRAGACKACK Fragmentation Flood
FRAG-TCPSpoofed TCP Fragmentation Flooder
GREGRE flood
HOLD (Not in use)TCP connect flooder(frag)
HTTPHTTP Flooder
HTTPFLOODHTTP flooding
JUNKTCP flooder (frag)
LDAPLDAP amplification flooder
MEMCACHEMEMCACHE amplification flooder
NSACKType of ACK flood
NSSYNType of SYN flooder
OVHType of UDP flooding (DOMINATE)
PHATWONKMultiple attacks in one e.g. xmas, all flags set at once, usyn (urg syn), and any TCP flag combination.
RTCPA Random TCP Flooder Fragmented packet header
SACKType of TCP flood
SEW AttackType of SYN flood
SSYN2Type of SYN flood
STUDPSTD Flooder
STUDPSTD Flooder
SYNSYN flooder
SYNACKSYN-ACK flood
TCPNULLTCP-Nulled flooding – Flood with TCP packets with no flag set
UDPUDP flood
UDP-BYPASSA udp flooder (vulnMix)
UNKNOWNUDP Flooder
URG attacking
VOLT-UDPSpoofed UDP Flooder, Can Bypass most firewall
VSEValve Source Engine Amplification
XMASTCP Xmas flood

Researchers observed that with MEMCACHE, LDAP, DNS, and Valve Source Engine, the malware attack typically spoofs the source IP address to publicly accessible servers.

The botnet is also capable of “opening a proxy on a port on a specified IP, changing the nick of the client, disabling or enabling packeting from the client, and more.”

With LDAP DDoS reflection, Memcache attack the botnet spoofs the source IP address and with UDP-BYPASS attack targets the host by constructing and unloading a legitimate UDP payload on a specific port.

The Momentum botnet includes other capabilities such as Fast flux, Backdoor and Propagate to spread and compromise devices.

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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.

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