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A concerning trend of hackers exploiting open-source software supply chains has been identified, with malicious backdoors being planted in Python and NPM packages. Security researchers at Checkmarx Zero have uncovered a sophisticated campaign where attackers are using typosquatting and name-confusion tactics to trick users into downloading harmful software. This cross-ecosystem approach targets both Windows and Linux systems, deploying multi-platform payloads with the capability to steal data and establish remote control. These findings highlight the growing need for enhanced security measures within open-source ecosystems to combat supply chain attacks.
This campaign leverages the Python Package Index (PyPI) and Node Package Manager (NPM) by mimicking legitimate software. Specifically, the attack targeted users of "colorama," a popular Python tool, and "colorizr," a similar JavaScript package, by uploading packages with names like "coloramapkgs" and "colorizator". The malicious packages carry dangerous payloads designed to give attackers remote access and control, allowing them to harvest and exfiltrate sensitive data. On Windows systems, the malware attempts to bypass antivirus software, while on Linux, it establishes encrypted connections, steals information, and maintains a hidden presence. Fortunately, the identified malicious packages have been removed from public software repositories, limiting their immediate potential for damage. However, the lack of clear attribution data makes it difficult to trace the campaign back to a known adversary. Vet, an open-source tool designed to help developers and security engineers spot risks in their software supply chains, goes beyond traditional software composition analysis by detecting known vulnerabilities and flagging malicious packages. It supports ecosystems like npm, PyPI, Maven, Go, Docker, and GitHub Actions, assisting in the detection of supply chain attacks.
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@socket.dev
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A malicious Python package named 'discordpydebug' has been discovered on the Python Package Index (PyPI) repository, posing a significant threat to Discord developers. The package, disguised as a simple utility for debugging Discord bots, actually contains a remote access trojan (RAT). This RAT allows attackers to execute commands and exfiltrate data from infected systems via a covert command-and-control (C2) channel. The 'discordpydebug' package was uploaded on March 21, 2022, and has since been downloaded over 11,000 times, putting numerous developer systems at risk.
The 'discordpydebug' package targets developers who build or maintain Discord bots. The attackers took advantage of the fact that PyPI doesn't enforce strict security audits, misleading developers with a legitimate-sounding name and copying code from popular projects to appear trustworthy. The package establishes communication with an attacker-controlled server at "backstabprotection.jamesx123.repl[.]co", and includes features to read and write arbitrary files based on commands received from the server, along with the ability to run shell commands. The simplicity of the RAT is what makes it effective. The package avoids inbound connections, instead opting for outbound HTTP polling to bypass firewalls and security monitoring tools, especially in less controlled development environments. This discovery highlights the increasing danger of software supply chain attacks and the importance of vigilance when installing packages from open-source repositories. The Socket Research Team urges developers to be cautious and scrutinize any third-party tools or code snippets shared within the Discord developer community.
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securebulletin.com@Secure Bulletin
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Attackers are increasingly turning to trusted services like Gmail and Google APIs to create stealthy command-and-control (C2) channels. This tactic allows them to mask malicious activities within legitimate network traffic, making detection and mitigation significantly harder. By leveraging platforms like Gmail and Google Drive, threat actors can embed their communications within encrypted channels provided by reputable services, bypassing many traditional security measures. These communications are encrypted by Gmail’s TLS, further complicating detection efforts.
A recent investigation by Socket's Threat Research Team uncovered a campaign using malicious Python packages to establish covert tunnels via Gmail’s SMTP protocol, enabling attackers to exfiltrate data and execute remote commands undetected. Seven malicious PyPI packages, operating under the "Coffin Codes" theme, were found abusing Gmail's SMTP servers and WebSockets for data exfiltration and remote command execution. These packages, once installed, establish an encrypted connection to Gmail’s SMTP server using hardcoded credentials, sending signals and critical information to attacker-controlled email addresses. The identified packages include Coffin-Codes-Pro, Coffin-Codes-NET2, Coffin-Codes-NET, Coffin-Codes-2022, Coffin2022, Coffin-Grave, and cfc-bsb. While the packages have been removed from PyPI, one of them was downloaded over 18,000 times before removal. The most advanced variants of the packages also establish outbound WebSocket connections, enabling attackers to issue commands, transfer files, and potentially gain deeper access into the victim's network. This highlights the ongoing risks posed by supply chain attacks and the exploitation of trusted cloud services.
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