RUBYCARP hackers linked to 10-year-old cryptomining botnet

RUBYCARP hackers linked to 10-year-old cryptomining botnet

April 9, 2024 at 11:37AM

The RUBYCARP botnet, operated by a Romanian group, is exploiting vulnerabilities and conducting brute force attacks to compromise corporate networks for financial gain. Managed through private IRC channels, the botnet runs over 600 compromised servers, using Perl-based payloads for attacks with low detection rates. It has been active for over a decade and is involved in various malicious activities, including cryptocurrency mining, phishing, and developing cyber weapons.

Based on the meeting notes, the key takeaways are as follows:
– A Romanian botnet group named “RUBYCARP” is utilizing known vulnerabilities and brute force attacks to breach corporate networks and compromise servers for financial gain.
– The botnet managed by RUBYCARP consists of over 600 compromised servers and has been in operation for at least 10 years. It is associated with the Outlaw APT threat group.
– RUBYCARP’s attacks include targeting Laravel applications via CVE-2021-3129, brute-forcing SSH servers, and exploiting WordPress sites using credential dumps. Once installed, the shellbot payload connects to an IRC-based command and control server.
– RUBYCARP uses compromised servers to carry out DDoS attacks, phishing and financial fraud, and cryptocurrency mining. The group also uses phishing templates to steal financial information, primarily targeting European entities like Swiss Bank, Nets Bank, and Bring Logistics.
– SYSDIG reports that RUBYCARP has been operating largely undetected for over a decade and is involved in developing and selling “cyber weapons,” indicating a wide array of tools and a degree of operational security.

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