August 22, 2024 at 11:51AM
Log4j zero-day exploits continue to be a threat despite being discovered two years ago. Cybercriminals are still targeting unpatched corporate systems, deploying malware scripts and crypto-currency miners. Nation-state actors have incorporated Log4j exploits into their toolkits, and eradicating the issue is challenging due to software dependencies. Datadog Security Labs recently uncovered a new opportunistic campaign utilizing obfuscated LDAP requests to evade detection.
From the meeting notes, it is clear that the Log4j vulnerability, also known as ‘Log4Shell’ (CVE-2021-44228), continues to be actively exploited by cybercriminals, leading to the deployment of crypto-currency miners and malicious backdoor scripts on unpatched systems.
Significantly, even two years after the initial discovery of the vulnerability, organizations are still being targeted by this exploit, presenting a long-term risk from unpatched critical vulnerabilities.
The exploit has attracted attention from nation-state APT actors linked to various countries, as well as ransomware and botnet gangs, who have incorporated the Log4j malware into their toolkits.
It has been highlighted that eradicating the problem will be challenging due to software dependencies and “transitive dependencies” that complicate the patching process.
The attackers are now using obfuscated LDAP requests to evade detection and are establishing persistence, exfiltrating data, and maintaining control through backdoors and encrypted communication channels.
A new opportunistic campaign utilizing XMRig deployment for crypto mining was discovered by Datadog researchers, indicating the evolving tactics of the attackers.
The meeting notes also reference related articles that provide additional information on the Log4j vulnerability and the exploits that have been observed.
In summary, the meeting notes provide a comprehensive overview of the ongoing challenges and risks associated with the Log4j vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of timely patching and mitigation efforts to safeguard corporate systems.