Sophos Identifies Source Of “MrbMiner” Attacks Targeting Database Servers

OXFORD, United Kingdom, Jan. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cybersecurity, today published a new report on MrbMiner, “MrbMiner: Cryptojacking to bypass international sanctions,” tracking its origin and management to a small software development company based in Iran.

MrbMiner is a recently discovered cryptominer that targets internet-facing database servers (SQL servers) and downloads and installs a cryptominer. Database servers are an attractive target for cryptojackers because they are used for resource intensive activity and therefore have powerful processing capability.

SophosLabs found that the attackers used multiple routes to install the malicious mining software on a targeted server, with the cryptominer payload and configuration files packed into deliberately mis-named zip archive files.

The name of an Iran-based software company was hardcoded into the miner’s main configuration file. This domain is connected to many other zip files also containing copies of the miner. These zip files have in turn been downloaded from other domains, one of which is mrbftp.xyz.

“In many ways, MrbMiner’s operations appear typical of most cryptominer attacks we’ve seen targeting internet-facing servers,” said Gabor Szappanos, threat research director, SophosLabs. “The difference here is that the attacker appears to have thrown caution to the wind when it comes to concealing their identity. Many of the records relating to the miner’s configuration, its domains and IP addresses, signpost to a single point of origin: a small software company based in Iran.

“In an age of multi-million dollar ransomware attacks that bring organizations to their knees it can be easy to discount cryptojacking as a nuisance rather than a serious threat, but that would be a mistake. Cryptojacking is a silent and invisible threat that is easy to implement and very difficult to detect. Further, once a system has been compromised it presents an open door for other threats, such as ransomware. It is therefore important to stop cryptojacking in its tracks. Look out for signs such as a reduction in computer speed and performance, increased electricity use, devices overheating and increased demands on the CPU.”

Further information on MrbMiner and other cyberthreats can be found on SophosLabs Uncut, where Sophos researchers regularly publish their latest research and breakthrough findings, such as Kingminer escalates attack complexity for cryptomining, as well as Lemon_Duck cryptominer targets cloud apps and Linux, and MyKings botnet spreads headaches, cryptominers and Forshare malware. Researchers can follow SophosLabs Uncut in real time on Twitter at @SophosLabs.

Detection and Indicators of Compromise
Cryptominer samples of MrbMiner are detected by Sophos under the definition Troj/Miner-ZD.

Additional indicators of compromise have been published to the SophosLabs Github.

Additional Resources

About Sophos
As a worldwide leader in next-generation cybersecurity, Sophos protects more than 400,000 organizations of all sizes in more than 150 countries from today’s most advanced cyber threats. Powered by SophosLabs – a global threat intelligence and data science team – Sophos’ cloud-native and AI-powered solutions secure endpoints (laptops, servers and mobile devices) and networks against evolving cyberattack techniques, including ransomware, malware, exploits, data exfiltration, active-adversary breaches, phishing, and more. Sophos Central, a cloud-native management platform, integrates Sophos’ entire portfolio of next-generation products, including the Intercept X endpoint solution and the XG next-generation firewall, into a single “synchronized security” system accessible through a set of APIs. Sophos has been driving a transition to next-generation cybersecurity, leveraging advanced capabilities in cloud, machine learning, APIs, automation, managed threat response, and more, to deliver enterprise-grade protection to any size organization. Sophos sells its products and services exclusively through a global channel of more than 53,000 partners and managed service providers (MSPs). Sophos also makes its innovative commercial technologies available to consumers via Sophos Home. The company is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

CONTACT: Hanah Johnson, [email protected]
source: yahoo.com