Threats Tagged 'task scheduler'

AhnLab monitored Advanced Persistent Threat attacks targeting South Korea during June 2026, identifying multiple attack types distributed primarily through spear phishing campaigns. Threat actors disguised malicious files as work-related documents, with LNK files being the most common delivery method. Six distinct attack types were observed, employing various techniques including malicious PowerShell commands, AutoIt malware, curl.exe abuse, GitHub repository exploitation, Task Scheduler persistence, DLL side-loading, and Python backdoors. These attacks deployed Infostealers, keyloggers, backdoors, and remote access tools like XenoRAT. Once executed, the malware established persistence, exfiltrated system information, and enabled remote control of compromised systems. Organizations are advised to verify email senders, avoid opening files from unknown sources, apply security patches, and maintain updated antivirus software to mitigate these persistent threats.

MediumMalwareSouth Korea#xenorat#autoit#task scheduler

A TrickBot variant has been identified that uses DNS tunneling for command-and-control communications instead of traditional HTTP protocols. The malware maintains persistence through Windows Task Scheduler, creating disguised tasks that execute at startup and repeat every five minutes. Configuration data is stored in NTFS Alternate Data Streams to evade detection. The malware employs multiple obfuscation techniques including encrypted strings, runtime API resolution via hash-based lookups, and dynamically calculated constants. Its modular architecture supports twelve different control commands enabling capabilities such as module downloads, process injection through hollowing and doppelgänging techniques, PowerShell execution, and raw machine code execution. The variant transfers data through specially crafted DNS queries to public DNS servers, encoding command data in malformed domain names and receiving responses embedded within multiple IPv4 addresses, achieving transfer speeds of approximately 30.7 KB/s.

FortiGuard Labs has traced a hacker group's evolving campaigns across Asia, starting with Winos 4.0 attacks in Taiwan and expanding to Japan and Malaysia. The group employs phishing emails with malicious PDFs and evolving malware delivery tactics. They've shifted from using cloud storage links to custom domains for malware distribution. The latest campaign in Malaysia uses a multi-stage attack flow, leveraging the Windows Task Scheduler for stealth. The malware, identified as HoldingHands, has been updated with new features, including the ability to update C2 IP addresses via registry entries. The attackers have demonstrated adaptability in their techniques while maintaining some consistent patterns, allowing researchers to link seemingly unrelated attacks.

MediumMalwareGermanyFranceUnited Kingdom+3#winos#phishing#task scheduler

A malicious campaign is targeting users through fake YouTube video download sites, distributing Proxyware malware. The attack involves a downloader disguised as WinMemoryCleaner, which installs NodeJS and runs malicious JavaScript. This script then installs various Proxyware programs, including DigitalPulse, HoneyGain, and recently, Infatica. The malware uses Task Scheduler for persistence and sends system information to a C&C server. The Proxyware exploits the infected system's network bandwidth for the attacker's profit. Users in South Korea have been particularly targeted. To prevent infection, users should avoid installing executables from suspicious websites and use antivirus software.

MediumMalwareSouth KoreaGermanyUnited Kingdom+3#youtube#digitalpulse#task scheduler

This analysis examines Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks in South Korea during May 2025. The majority of identified attacks utilized spear phishing as the primary infiltration method. Two main types of attacks were observed: Type A, which uses LNK files to execute malicious scripts and download additional malware, and Type B, which employs LNK files to download and execute obfuscated Python scripts. Both types use deception techniques, including decoy documents and task scheduler manipulation. The attacks targeted various sectors, using topics such as financial reporting, privacy protection, and business registration to lure victims. The report provides detailed information on file names, decoy documents, and indicators of compromise, including MD5 hashes, URLs, FQDNs, and IP addresses associated with the malicious activities.

MediumCampaignGermanyFranceUnited Kingdom+3#apt#lnk files#obfuscation