Threats Tagged 'vulnerable driver'

Check Point Research uncovered an ongoing campaign by the Silver Fox APT group exploiting a previously unknown vulnerable driver to evade endpoint protection. The attackers used a Microsoft-signed WatchDog Antimalware driver to terminate protected processes on fully updated Windows systems. A dual-driver strategy ensured compatibility across Windows versions. Following disclosure, the vendor released a patched driver, but attackers quickly adapted by modifying it to bypass blocklists while preserving its valid signature. The campaign delivered ValleyRAT as the final payload, demonstrating sophisticated evasion techniques and highlighting the growing trend of weaponizing signed-but-vulnerable drivers to bypass security measures.

MediumMalwareGermanyFranceUnited Kingdom+5#driver abuse#kernel exploitation#signature manipulation

Nitrogen, a new ransomware strain identified in September 2024, has become a significant threat to organizations worldwide, particularly in the financial sector. It encrypts critical data and demands substantial payments for decryption, targeting industries such as finance, construction, manufacturing, and technology in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The ransomware's attack chain begins with malvertising campaigns on search engines, tricking users into downloading trojanized installers. It uses tools like Cobalt Strike and Meterpreter shells to establish persistence and move laterally within networks. Notable victims include SRP Federal Credit Union, Red Barrels, Control Panels USA, and Kilgore Industries. Nitrogen employs sophisticated tactics, including system reconnaissance, advanced evasion techniques, and exploitation of vulnerable drivers to disable security tools.

MediumMalwareUnited KingdomGermanyFrance+2#data exfiltration#malvertising#ransomware