20150415D: Fareit Malware Targeting Steam Users from ThreatConnect
20150415D: Fareit Malware Targeting Steam Users from ThreatConnect
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The Fareit malware campaign referenced as 20150415D targets users of the Steam gaming platform. Fareit is a known information-stealing malware family that primarily focuses on harvesting credentials, personal information, and potentially financial data from infected systems. This particular variant or campaign is noted to specifically target Steam users, likely aiming to steal Steam account credentials to facilitate unauthorized access, account takeover, or fraudulent transactions within the Steam ecosystem. The malware operates by infecting the victim's machine, often through phishing or malicious downloads, and then intercepts or extracts stored credentials and session data related to Steam. Although the provided information is limited and does not specify the infection vector or detailed technical mechanisms, Fareit typically employs techniques such as keylogging, form grabbing, and credential dumping from browsers or local storage. The threat level is indicated as low, and no known exploits in the wild are reported, suggesting limited active exploitation or impact at the time of reporting. The absence of affected versions and patch links implies that this is not a vulnerability in Steam software itself but rather a malware campaign exploiting user behavior or system weaknesses. The technical details show a moderate threat level (3) and analysis rating (2), indicating some confidence in the malware's capabilities but limited severity or reach.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the primary impact of this malware is on individual users who engage with the Steam platform, including employees who might use Steam on corporate or personal devices connected to organizational networks. Compromise of Steam credentials can lead to unauthorized purchases, loss of digital assets, or use of compromised accounts for further phishing or malware distribution. While the direct impact on organizational IT infrastructure may be limited, infected endpoints can serve as entry points for broader network compromise if malware spreads or if attackers leverage stolen credentials to escalate privileges. Additionally, organizations in the gaming industry or those providing related services could face reputational damage or operational disruptions if their users are targeted. The low severity and lack of known exploits suggest the threat is not widespread or highly destructive, but vigilance is warranted to prevent potential lateral movement or data leakage.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this threat, European organizations should implement targeted user awareness training focusing on the risks of credential theft and safe practices when using gaming platforms like Steam. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block known Fareit malware signatures and behaviors, including keylogging and credential dumping activities. Network monitoring for unusual outbound connections or data exfiltration attempts related to gaming traffic can help identify infections early. Organizations should enforce strong, unique passwords and encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Steam accounts where supported to reduce the risk of account takeover. Regular patching and updating of all software, including gaming clients, can help minimize vulnerabilities that malware might exploit. Finally, restricting or monitoring the use of gaming applications on corporate devices can reduce exposure.
Affected Countries
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden
20150415D: Fareit Malware Targeting Steam Users from ThreatConnect
Description
20150415D: Fareit Malware Targeting Steam Users from ThreatConnect
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
The Fareit malware campaign referenced as 20150415D targets users of the Steam gaming platform. Fareit is a known information-stealing malware family that primarily focuses on harvesting credentials, personal information, and potentially financial data from infected systems. This particular variant or campaign is noted to specifically target Steam users, likely aiming to steal Steam account credentials to facilitate unauthorized access, account takeover, or fraudulent transactions within the Steam ecosystem. The malware operates by infecting the victim's machine, often through phishing or malicious downloads, and then intercepts or extracts stored credentials and session data related to Steam. Although the provided information is limited and does not specify the infection vector or detailed technical mechanisms, Fareit typically employs techniques such as keylogging, form grabbing, and credential dumping from browsers or local storage. The threat level is indicated as low, and no known exploits in the wild are reported, suggesting limited active exploitation or impact at the time of reporting. The absence of affected versions and patch links implies that this is not a vulnerability in Steam software itself but rather a malware campaign exploiting user behavior or system weaknesses. The technical details show a moderate threat level (3) and analysis rating (2), indicating some confidence in the malware's capabilities but limited severity or reach.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the primary impact of this malware is on individual users who engage with the Steam platform, including employees who might use Steam on corporate or personal devices connected to organizational networks. Compromise of Steam credentials can lead to unauthorized purchases, loss of digital assets, or use of compromised accounts for further phishing or malware distribution. While the direct impact on organizational IT infrastructure may be limited, infected endpoints can serve as entry points for broader network compromise if malware spreads or if attackers leverage stolen credentials to escalate privileges. Additionally, organizations in the gaming industry or those providing related services could face reputational damage or operational disruptions if their users are targeted. The low severity and lack of known exploits suggest the threat is not widespread or highly destructive, but vigilance is warranted to prevent potential lateral movement or data leakage.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate this threat, European organizations should implement targeted user awareness training focusing on the risks of credential theft and safe practices when using gaming platforms like Steam. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to detect and block known Fareit malware signatures and behaviors, including keylogging and credential dumping activities. Network monitoring for unusual outbound connections or data exfiltration attempts related to gaming traffic can help identify infections early. Organizations should enforce strong, unique passwords and encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Steam accounts where supported to reduce the risk of account takeover. Regular patching and updating of all software, including gaming clients, can help minimize vulnerabilities that malware might exploit. Finally, restricting or monitoring the use of gaming applications on corporate devices can reduce exposure.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Threat Level
- 3
- Analysis
- 2
- Original Timestamp
- 1429516452
Threat ID: 682acdbdbbaf20d303f0b700
Added to database: 5/19/2025, 6:20:45 AM
Last enriched: 7/2/2025, 8:39:53 PM
Last updated: 8/13/2025, 4:22:28 AM
Views: 17
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