Friday, March 29, 2024

Siloscape: First Known Malware Targeting Windows Containers to Hack Cloud Environments

Using Windows Server in a “Windows container”? Then beware of it, as recently, it has been confirmed that highly sophisticated malware has been active for over a year.

The cybersecurity researchers at Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 have recently discovered a new malware, known as, “Siloscape,” and it uses Windows containers to access Kubernetes clusters. 

Since they generally focus on Linux systems, that’s why it goes after the Windows containers that are deemed as unusual. To connect to a C2 server that is used by attackers to control the Siloscape, data filtering, and commands, the malware (Siloscape) uses a Tor proxy and an onion domain.

Technical Overview

Through server isolation and un-patched vulnerabilities, Cloudmalware.exe, it’s the malware that targets the Windows containers. After that using the different breakout techniques for Windows containers, Siloscape try to run the RCE on a container’s underlying node.

Siloscape

To steal data from the apps present on the cluster or upload cryptographers, the Siloscape will create malicious containers, but these things will be possible when it will manage to break out and establish itself in a cluster successfully.

Behaviors and techniques used

  • Exploiting the known vulnerabilities, it targets the common cloud apps for initial access like web servers.
  • To gain code execution on the underlying node and avoid the container it uses escape techniques of Windows container.
  • To spread in the cluster, it abuses the node’s credentials.
  • Over the Tor network using the IRC protocol, it connects to its C2 server.
  • While for the further commands, it usually waits.
  • Waits for further commands.

During the investigations, the researchers at Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 identified, “23 active victims and a total of 313 victims from the past year.” 

However, the security experts were expelled from the server after the operators identified them, and not only that even after their detection they also shut down the service running on the onion address.

Here, initially, the Siloscape evades the detection then it installs a backdoor on the infected system to open the gateway to exploit the negotiated cloud infrastructure to carry out malicious actions like:-

  • Theft of credentials
  • Theft of personal data
  • Ransomware attacks
  • Supply chain attacks

Apart from these things, Siloscape has a different view as compared to other malware; since the maximum number of cloud-based malware is designed to carry out DDoS attacks and mine cryptocurrencies.

Indicators of Compromise

DescriptionSHA256
Our Siloscape variant5B7A23676EE1953247A0364AC431B193E32C952CF17B205D36F800C270753FCB
unzip.exe, the unzip binary Siloscape writes to the disk81046F943D26501561612A629D8BE95AF254BC161011BA8A62D25C34C16D6D2A
tor.zip, the tor archive Silsocape writes to the disk010859BA20684AEABA986928A28E1AF219BAEBBF51B273FF47CB382987373DB7
Website

Latest articles

GoPlus’s Latest Report Highlights How Blockchain Communities Are Leveraging Critical API Security Data To Mitigate Web3 Threats

GoPlus Labs, the leading Web3 security infrastructure provider, has unveiled a groundbreaking report highlighting...

Wireshark 4.2.4 Released: What’s New!

Wireshark stands as the undisputed leader, offering unparalleled tools for troubleshooting, analysis, development, and...

Zoom Unveils AI-Powered All-In-One AI Work Workplace

Zoom has taken a monumental leap forward by introducing Zoom Workplace, an all-encompassing AI-powered...

iPhone Users Beware! Darcula Phishing Service Attacking Via iMessage

Phishing allows hackers to exploit human vulnerabilities and trick users into revealing sensitive information...

2 Chrome Zero-Days Exploited at Pwn2Own 2024: Patch Now

Google has announced a crucial update to its Chrome browser, addressing several vulnerabilities, including...

The Moon Malware Hacked 6,000 ASUS Routers in 72hours to Use for Proxy

Black Lotus Labs discovered a multi-year campaign by TheMoon malware targeting vulnerable routers and...
Balaji
Balaji
BALAJI is an Ex-Security Researcher (Threat Research Labs) at Comodo Cybersecurity. Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder - Cyber Security News & GBHackers On Security.

Mitigating Vulnerability Types & 0-day Threats

Mitigating Vulnerability & 0-day Threats

Alert Fatigue that helps no one as security teams need to triage 100s of vulnerabilities.

  • The problem of vulnerability fatigue today
  • Difference between CVSS-specific vulnerability vs risk-based vulnerability
  • Evaluating vulnerabilities based on the business impact/risk
  • Automation to reduce alert fatigue and enhance security posture significantly

Related Articles