The Kinsing cryptomining threat actor is known for leveraging vulnerabilities in public-facing services to deploy cryptomining malware. In this case, the threat involves exploitation of an Erlang service, which is a runtime environment used to build scalable and fault-tolerant applications. The attack vector aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application), where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in internet-facing applications or services to gain unauthorized access. Additionally, the threat involves impairing defenses (T1562), which may include disabling security tools or evading detection to maintain persistence. Although specific affected versions or detailed technical indicators are not provided, the mention of Erlang services suggests targeting systems running applications built on or utilizing Erlang, such as messaging platforms or telecom infrastructure components. The threat actor’s goal is to deploy cryptomining malware that hijacks system resources to mine cryptocurrency, leading to resource exhaustion and degraded system performance. The reported severity is low, and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of reporting, with a moderate certainty level (50%). The threat level is rated 3 on an unspecified scale, indicating a moderate concern but not an immediate critical risk.

For European organizations, the exploitation of Erlang services by Kinsing cryptomining malware could lead to unauthorized resource consumption, resulting in degraded performance of critical applications and increased operational costs due to higher energy consumption. Organizations relying on Erlang-based systems, such as telecommunications providers, messaging platforms, or industrial control systems, may experience service disruptions or reduced availability. While the direct confidentiality impact may be limited, the integrity and availability of affected systems could be compromised. Additionally, impaired defenses could allow the malware to persist undetected, increasing the risk of further exploitation or lateral movement within networks. The low severity and absence of known active exploits suggest a limited immediate threat, but the potential for escalation exists if vulnerabilities are left unpatched or defenses are inadequate.

European organizations should conduct thorough inventories to identify Erlang-based services and applications exposed to the internet or accessible within internal networks. Specific mitigation steps include: 1) Applying the latest security patches and updates to Erlang runtimes and associated applications; 2) Restricting network access to Erlang services using firewalls and network segmentation to limit exposure; 3) Implementing strict authentication and authorization controls to prevent unauthorized access; 4) Deploying advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting cryptomining behaviors and anomalous resource usage; 5) Monitoring system performance metrics and network traffic for signs of cryptomining activity; 6) Ensuring security tools and defenses are operational and not tampered with, given the threat’s capability to impair defenses; 7) Conducting regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on public-facing applications and services; 8) Educating IT and security staff about this specific threat actor and attack patterns to improve detection and response readiness.