A new PowerShell malware is on the loose, targeting the US aerospace defense industry, and the sneaky threat actor is still at large!
Dubbed “PowerDrop,” this malware was spotted by the cybersecurity heroes at Adlumin. They stumbled upon it in the network of a defense contractor, using their super machine learning skills to sniff out this nasty piece of code.
PowerDrop is no ordinary malware; it’s got some fancy moves up its sleeve! By using PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), it’s pulling off advanced techniques to stay hidden in the shadows. This tricky malware is like a sneaky post-exploitation ninja, collecting sensitive info from its victim’s network once it’s got its foot in the door.
Analysts suspect that PowerDrop slithers into its target’s network through phishing emails or devious spoofed download sites. Sneaky and clever, right?
Who’s behind this sinister attack? The threat actor remains a mystery, but the analysts think it’s probably one of those state-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT) groups.
The use of PowerShell in cyberattacks has been on the rise, thanks to its ability to cook up scripts that can slip right under the radar of common computing environments. It’s like the malware equivalent of a chameleon, blending right in!
We don’t know the full impact of this attack yet, but the good news is, there’s no evidence of initial compromise or data theft as of now.
LMNTRIX Perspective
The increased use of scripting languages that aid cyber criminals with their attacks should keep organizations vigilant and aware of their use of configuration management program within Windows environments.
This is especially the case for organizations within the aerospace defense industry as they have been the main target for these attacks. Since the point of entry for these attacks have been identified through phishing emails and spoofed download sites, organizations should assess their security awareness and training of users to ensure their programs and campaigns are covering the latest threat to prevent and mitigate user risks.
Conducting periodic vulnerability scans on Windows systems would also ensure any vulnerabilities are identified early on and patched accordingly.
Recommendations
Conduct and maintain vulnerability scans on Windows systems and perform periodic patching.