A recent study from McAfee Labs uncovered a highly sophisticated Remcos RAT campaign. This campaign showcased the malware's complexity with multiple stages. It all started with phishing emails containing encrypted VBS files hidden in ZIP/RAR attachments. The Remcos RAT, known for its ability to gather information and gain secret access, used advanced techniques like obfuscation and anti-debugging tricks. This involved using VBS and PowerShell scripts, along with encrypted PE files as part of the attack. Finally, they deployed the Sky Crypter Trojan, which decrypted a final payload and revealed how the attack would keep working, inject into processes, and had advanced settings. This complex threat highlights the ever-evolving nature of cyberattacks and the crucial need for robust cybersecurity measures to detect and stop such advanced threats.
How Does a Remote Access Trojan Work?
- A RAT is intended to allow an attacker to remotely operate a computer in the same way that RDP and TeamViewer can be used for remote access or system administration. The RAT will establish a command and control (C2) connection with the attacker's server, through which commands and data can be delivered to the RAT. RATs typically have a set of built-in commands as well as mechanisms for concealing their C2 communication.
Basically RATS can infect computers like any other type of malware. They might be attached to an email, be hosted on a malicious website, or exploit a vulnerability in an unpatched machine.
- RATs may be bundled with additional functionality or designed in a modular fashion to provide additional capabilities as needed.
For Example: An attacker initially infiltrates a target system using a phishing email with a malicious attachment. Once inside the system, the attacker's goal is to steal sensitive financial data. Initially, they might use a banking Trojan to gain access to online banking accounts and monitor transactions. After exploring the system and realizing the need for more extensive data capture, the attacker might decide to deploy a dedicated financial data scraper, either by adding a module to the existing Trojan or by downloading and running it as a separate tool. This allows the attacker to efficiently extract the required financial information without drawing too much attention.
The Threat of the RAT
The level of access an attacker obtains during a cyberattack impacts the goals they can achieve. Different assaults demand various amounts of access to a target system.
For Example: An attacker exploiting an SQL injection flaw can access and pilfer data from a vulnerable database. Conversely, in a successful phishing attack, the attacker gains compromised credentials or deploys malware on a target system, potentially granting broader access and control within a network.
RATs also lack the same limitations of system administration tools and may include the ability to exploit vulnerabilities and gain additional privileges on an infected system to help achieve the attacker’s goals.
Most RATs are designed to provide the same level of functionality as legitimate remote system administration tools, meaning that an attacker can see and do whatever they want on an infected machine.
An attacker has a high level of control over the infected computer and its activities, this allows them to achieve almost any objective on the infected system and to download and deploy additional functionality as needed to achieve their goals.
Threat Modeling is the best way to protect against a Remote Access Trojan
- Identifying Attack Vectors: Threat modeling helps identify possible entry points for attackers, such as vulnerable software components or weak access controls.
For example, organizations can use threat modeling to detect vulnerabilities in their web applications that could be exploited by RATs.
SiteLock reports that websites currently experience an average of 94 attacks every day, and are visited by bots approximately 2,608 times a week.
- Assessing Potential Impact: By modeling potential threats, organizations can estimate the impact of an attack.
For Example, if a RAT were to gain access to sensitive customer data, threat modeling would help assess the potential financial and reputational damage.
According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report. The global average st of a data breach reached $4.45 million in 2023 ,an all-time high for the report and a 15% increase over the last 3 years.
- Secure Coding Practices: In order to stop RATs from taking advantage of loopholes, developers should use safe coding techniques by identifying potential vulnerabilities in software during the threat modeling process.
OWASP's Top Ten Project consistently lists injection attacks, like SQL injection, as a common vulnerability. Preventing such attacks is crucial to thwart RATs.
- Enhancing Detection and Response: Threat modeling helps organizations plan for RAT-related incidents. By understanding potential attack vectors, they can implement better detection and response mechanisms.
The average time to identify and contain a data breach was 277 days in 2022, as reported by the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report.
Protecting against RAT infections requires solutions that can identify and block malware before it gains access to an organization’s systems. Check Point Harmony Endpoint provides comprehensive protection against RATs by preventing common infection vectors, monitoring applications for suspicious behavior, and analyzing network traffic for signs of C2 communications.
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