Cybercriminals Abuse Open-Source Tools To Target Africa's Financial Sector
A series of attacks targeting financial organizations across Africa has been observed since July 2023. The threat actor, tracked as CL-CRI-1014, uses open-source and publicly available tools like PoshC2, Chisel, and Classroom Spy to establish attack frameworks, create tunnels for network communication, and perform remote administration. They forge file signatures to disguise their toolset and mask malicious activities. The attackers are suspected to be acting as initial access brokers, creating footholds in financial institutions to sell access on darknet markets. Their playbook includes lateral movement techniques such as creating remote services, executing through DCOM, and using PsExec. The threat actor also employs evasion methods like using packers and signing tools with stolen signatures.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Since July 2023, a cybercriminal group identified as CL-CRI-1014 has been conducting targeted attacks against financial institutions across Africa. This threat actor leverages open-source and publicly available tools such as PoshC2, Chisel, and Classroom Spy to build flexible attack frameworks. PoshC2 is a well-known post-exploitation framework used for command and control (C2), Chisel is used to create encrypted tunnels for network communication, and Classroom Spy is a remote administration tool. By combining these tools, the attackers establish persistent footholds within victim networks, enabling remote control and data exfiltration. To evade detection, the attackers forge file signatures, making their malicious tools appear legitimate, and use packers and stolen digital signatures to mask their malware binaries. Their operational playbook includes lateral movement techniques such as creating remote services, executing commands via Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), and leveraging PsExec for remote code execution. These techniques allow the threat actor to move laterally within compromised networks, escalating privileges and expanding access. The group is suspected to act as initial access brokers, compromising financial organizations and then selling access on darknet markets to other malicious actors. The attack chain involves sophisticated evasion and persistence mechanisms, including the use of scheduled tasks (T1053.005), masquerading (T1036.005), and code injection (T1055). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild for specific vulnerabilities, the use of legitimate tools and stolen signatures complicates detection and mitigation efforts. The threat is categorized as medium severity, reflecting the moderate but significant risk posed by these targeted intrusions.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, particularly those with financial ties or partnerships with African institutions, this threat poses a risk of indirect exposure through supply chain or third-party relationships. If European financial entities share infrastructure, data, or have interconnected networks with African counterparts, the lateral movement and persistence techniques used by CL-CRI-1014 could facilitate cross-border compromise. Additionally, European financial institutions could become targets if the threat actor expands operations or if similar tactics are adopted by other groups. The use of open-source tools and stolen signatures increases the difficulty of detection, potentially leading to prolonged undetected intrusions, data breaches, financial fraud, and reputational damage. The threat actor’s role as an initial access broker suggests that compromised access could be sold to other malicious actors, increasing the risk of ransomware, data theft, or espionage campaigns affecting European financial sectors. The medium severity rating indicates that while the threat is not currently critical, the sophistication and persistence of the actor warrant proactive defensive measures.
Mitigation Recommendations
European financial organizations should implement advanced threat detection capabilities focused on identifying the use of legitimate administrative tools in suspicious contexts, such as PoshC2, Chisel, and Classroom Spy. Network segmentation and strict access controls can limit lateral movement opportunities. Employing application whitelisting and monitoring for anomalous process execution, especially for remote service creation and DCOM or PsExec usage, can help detect malicious activity. Digital signature validation should be enhanced to detect forged or stolen certificates, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to identify packer usage and code injection techniques. Organizations should conduct regular threat hunting exercises focusing on indicators of lateral movement and persistence tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework (e.g., T1053.005, T1036.005, T1055). Supply chain risk assessments should include scrutiny of African financial partners to identify potential exposure. Finally, employee training on social engineering and phishing risks remains critical, as initial access often involves user interaction.
Affected Countries
South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, United Kingdom, France, Germany
Indicators of Compromise
- hash: f26c3cd4209492b699131d29b76d941a
- hash: c787636df481e1075db49c96d696de8dc6198e26
- hash: 0bb7a473d2b2a3617ca12758c6fbb4e674243daa45c321d53b70df95130e23bc
- hash: 14b2c620dc691bf6390aef15965c9587a37ea3d992260f0cbd643a5902f0c65b
- hash: 2ce8653c59686833272b23cc30235dae915207bf9cdf1d08f6a3348fb3a3e5c1
- hash: 3bbe3f42857bbf74424ff4d044027b9c43d3386371decf905a4a1037ad468e2c
- hash: 5e4511905484a6dc531fa8f32e0310a8378839048fe6acfeaf4dda2396184997
- hash: 633f90a3125d0668d3aac564ae5b311416f7576a0a48be4a42d21557f43d2b4f
- hash: 6cfa5f93223db220037840a2798384ccc978641bcec9c118fde704d40480d050
- hash: 7e0aa32565167267bce5f9508235f1dacbf78a79b44b852c25d83ed093672ed9
- hash: 831d98404ce5e3e5499b558bb653510c0e9407e4cb2f54157503a0842317a363
- hash: 9149ea94f27b7b239156dc62366ee0f85b0497e1a4c6e265c37bedd9a7efc07f
- hash: 9a84929e3d254f189cb334764c9b49571cafcd97a93e627f0502c8a9c303c9a4
- hash: 9d9cb28b5938529893ad4156c34c36955aab79c455517796172c4c642b7b4699
- hash: a41e7a78f0a2c360db5834b4603670c12308ff2b0a9b6aeaa398eeac6d3b3190
- hash: a61092a13155ec8cb2b9cdf2796a1a2a230cfadb3c1fd923443624ec86cb7044
- hash: aed1b6782cfd70156b99f1b79412a6e80c918a669bc00a6eee5e824840c870c1
- hash: bc8b4f4af2e31f715dc1eb173e53e696d89dd10162a27ff5504c993864d36f2f
- hash: d528bcbfef874f19e11bdc5581c47f482c93ff094812b8ee56ea602e2e239b56
- hash: d81a014332e322ce356a0e2ed11cffddd37148b907f9fdf5db7024e192ed4b70
- hash: e14b07b67f1a54b02fc6b65fdba3c9e41130f283bfea459afa6bee763d3756f8
- hash: e788f829b1a0141a488afb5f82b94f13035623609ca3b83f0c6985919cd9e83b
- hash: f1919abe7364f64c75a26cff78c3fcc42e5835685301da26b6f73a6029912072
- hash: f5614dc9f91659fb956fd18a5b81794bd1e0a0de874b705e11791ae74bb2e533
- domain: bixxler.drennonmarketingreviews.com
- domain: finix.newsnewth365.com
- domain: flesh.tabtemplates.com
- domain: genova.drennonmarketingreviews.com
- domain: health.aqlifecare.com
- domain: mozal.finartex.com
- domain: savings.foothillindbank.com
- domain: tnn.specialfinanceinsider.com
- domain: vigio.finartex.com
- domain: vlety.forwardbanker.com
Cybercriminals Abuse Open-Source Tools To Target Africa's Financial Sector
Description
A series of attacks targeting financial organizations across Africa has been observed since July 2023. The threat actor, tracked as CL-CRI-1014, uses open-source and publicly available tools like PoshC2, Chisel, and Classroom Spy to establish attack frameworks, create tunnels for network communication, and perform remote administration. They forge file signatures to disguise their toolset and mask malicious activities. The attackers are suspected to be acting as initial access brokers, creating footholds in financial institutions to sell access on darknet markets. Their playbook includes lateral movement techniques such as creating remote services, executing through DCOM, and using PsExec. The threat actor also employs evasion methods like using packers and signing tools with stolen signatures.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
Since July 2023, a cybercriminal group identified as CL-CRI-1014 has been conducting targeted attacks against financial institutions across Africa. This threat actor leverages open-source and publicly available tools such as PoshC2, Chisel, and Classroom Spy to build flexible attack frameworks. PoshC2 is a well-known post-exploitation framework used for command and control (C2), Chisel is used to create encrypted tunnels for network communication, and Classroom Spy is a remote administration tool. By combining these tools, the attackers establish persistent footholds within victim networks, enabling remote control and data exfiltration. To evade detection, the attackers forge file signatures, making their malicious tools appear legitimate, and use packers and stolen digital signatures to mask their malware binaries. Their operational playbook includes lateral movement techniques such as creating remote services, executing commands via Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), and leveraging PsExec for remote code execution. These techniques allow the threat actor to move laterally within compromised networks, escalating privileges and expanding access. The group is suspected to act as initial access brokers, compromising financial organizations and then selling access on darknet markets to other malicious actors. The attack chain involves sophisticated evasion and persistence mechanisms, including the use of scheduled tasks (T1053.005), masquerading (T1036.005), and code injection (T1055). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild for specific vulnerabilities, the use of legitimate tools and stolen signatures complicates detection and mitigation efforts. The threat is categorized as medium severity, reflecting the moderate but significant risk posed by these targeted intrusions.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, particularly those with financial ties or partnerships with African institutions, this threat poses a risk of indirect exposure through supply chain or third-party relationships. If European financial entities share infrastructure, data, or have interconnected networks with African counterparts, the lateral movement and persistence techniques used by CL-CRI-1014 could facilitate cross-border compromise. Additionally, European financial institutions could become targets if the threat actor expands operations or if similar tactics are adopted by other groups. The use of open-source tools and stolen signatures increases the difficulty of detection, potentially leading to prolonged undetected intrusions, data breaches, financial fraud, and reputational damage. The threat actor’s role as an initial access broker suggests that compromised access could be sold to other malicious actors, increasing the risk of ransomware, data theft, or espionage campaigns affecting European financial sectors. The medium severity rating indicates that while the threat is not currently critical, the sophistication and persistence of the actor warrant proactive defensive measures.
Mitigation Recommendations
European financial organizations should implement advanced threat detection capabilities focused on identifying the use of legitimate administrative tools in suspicious contexts, such as PoshC2, Chisel, and Classroom Spy. Network segmentation and strict access controls can limit lateral movement opportunities. Employing application whitelisting and monitoring for anomalous process execution, especially for remote service creation and DCOM or PsExec usage, can help detect malicious activity. Digital signature validation should be enhanced to detect forged or stolen certificates, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to identify packer usage and code injection techniques. Organizations should conduct regular threat hunting exercises focusing on indicators of lateral movement and persistence tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework (e.g., T1053.005, T1036.005, T1055). Supply chain risk assessments should include scrutiny of African financial partners to identify potential exposure. Finally, employee training on social engineering and phishing risks remains critical, as initial access often involves user interaction.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Author
- AlienVault
- Tlp
- white
- References
- ["https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cybercriminals-attack-financial-sector-across-africa/"]
- Adversary
- CL-CRI-1014
- Pulse Id
- 685d83160bafa66baf5f4fe2
- Threat Score
- null
Indicators of Compromise
Hash
Value | Description | Copy |
---|---|---|
hashf26c3cd4209492b699131d29b76d941a | — | |
hashc787636df481e1075db49c96d696de8dc6198e26 | — | |
hash0bb7a473d2b2a3617ca12758c6fbb4e674243daa45c321d53b70df95130e23bc | — | |
hash14b2c620dc691bf6390aef15965c9587a37ea3d992260f0cbd643a5902f0c65b | — | |
hash2ce8653c59686833272b23cc30235dae915207bf9cdf1d08f6a3348fb3a3e5c1 | — | |
hash3bbe3f42857bbf74424ff4d044027b9c43d3386371decf905a4a1037ad468e2c | — | |
hash5e4511905484a6dc531fa8f32e0310a8378839048fe6acfeaf4dda2396184997 | — | |
hash633f90a3125d0668d3aac564ae5b311416f7576a0a48be4a42d21557f43d2b4f | — | |
hash6cfa5f93223db220037840a2798384ccc978641bcec9c118fde704d40480d050 | — | |
hash7e0aa32565167267bce5f9508235f1dacbf78a79b44b852c25d83ed093672ed9 | — | |
hash831d98404ce5e3e5499b558bb653510c0e9407e4cb2f54157503a0842317a363 | — | |
hash9149ea94f27b7b239156dc62366ee0f85b0497e1a4c6e265c37bedd9a7efc07f | — | |
hash9a84929e3d254f189cb334764c9b49571cafcd97a93e627f0502c8a9c303c9a4 | — | |
hash9d9cb28b5938529893ad4156c34c36955aab79c455517796172c4c642b7b4699 | — | |
hasha41e7a78f0a2c360db5834b4603670c12308ff2b0a9b6aeaa398eeac6d3b3190 | — | |
hasha61092a13155ec8cb2b9cdf2796a1a2a230cfadb3c1fd923443624ec86cb7044 | — | |
hashaed1b6782cfd70156b99f1b79412a6e80c918a669bc00a6eee5e824840c870c1 | — | |
hashbc8b4f4af2e31f715dc1eb173e53e696d89dd10162a27ff5504c993864d36f2f | — | |
hashd528bcbfef874f19e11bdc5581c47f482c93ff094812b8ee56ea602e2e239b56 | — | |
hashd81a014332e322ce356a0e2ed11cffddd37148b907f9fdf5db7024e192ed4b70 | — | |
hashe14b07b67f1a54b02fc6b65fdba3c9e41130f283bfea459afa6bee763d3756f8 | — | |
hashe788f829b1a0141a488afb5f82b94f13035623609ca3b83f0c6985919cd9e83b | — | |
hashf1919abe7364f64c75a26cff78c3fcc42e5835685301da26b6f73a6029912072 | — | |
hashf5614dc9f91659fb956fd18a5b81794bd1e0a0de874b705e11791ae74bb2e533 | — |
Domain
Value | Description | Copy |
---|---|---|
domainbixxler.drennonmarketingreviews.com | — | |
domainfinix.newsnewth365.com | — | |
domainflesh.tabtemplates.com | — | |
domaingenova.drennonmarketingreviews.com | — | |
domainhealth.aqlifecare.com | — | |
domainmozal.finartex.com | — | |
domainsavings.foothillindbank.com | — | |
domaintnn.specialfinanceinsider.com | — | |
domainvigio.finartex.com | — | |
domainvlety.forwardbanker.com | — |
Threat ID: 685db273ca1063fb8748d2aa
Added to database: 6/26/2025, 8:49:55 PM
Last enriched: 6/26/2025, 9:05:25 PM
Last updated: 8/17/2025, 9:25:38 AM
Views: 42
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