PowerDrop Malware

The U.S. aerospace industry has become the target of an unidentified evil-minded actor using a newly discovered PowerShell-based malware known as PowerDrop. A report by cybersecurity researchers reveals that PowerDrop utilizes sophisticated methods to avoid detection, including deception, encoding and encryption. In May 2023, the malware was discovered implanted within the systems of an undisclosed U.S. aerospace defense contractor.

The threatening functions of PowerDrop go beyond initial access and allow the threat to serve as a post-exploitation tool. This means that once the attacker gains entry into a victim's network through alternative methods, PowerDrop is deployed to gather valuable information from the compromised systems. Its primary objective is to extract sensitive data and conduct surveillance within the victim's network. Details about the threat were released by the infosec experts at Adlumin.

The PowerDrop Malware Takes Advantage of Legitimate Processes and Systems

The malware utilizes Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo request messages as a means to establish communication with a Command-and-Control (C2) server. This enables the malware to initiate its malicious operations.

Upon receiving the ICMP echo request message, the C2 server responds with an encrypted command, which is then decoded and executed on the compromised host. To exfiltrate the results of the executed instruction, a similar ICMP ping message is employed.

Notably, the execution of the PowerShell command is facilitated through the utilization of the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service. This choice indicates the adversary's deliberate use of living-off-the-land tactics, aiming to evade detection by leveraging legitimate system processes.

Although the core structure of this threat may not possess an inherently complex design, its ability to obscure suspicious activities and evade detection by endpoint security defenses suggests the involvement of more sophisticated threat actors.

Threat Actors Use Multiple Methods to Breach Individual and Corporate Networks

Threat actors employ various methods and techniques to infiltrate corporate systems, exploiting vulnerabilities and weaknesses within the organization's security infrastructure. These infiltration techniques can be diverse and sophisticated, aiming to bypass defenses and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Some common methods include:

• Phishing and Social Engineering: Threat actors may use deceptive tactics, such as phishing emails or phone calls, to trick employees into disclosing sensitive information, such as login credentials or personal details. Social engineering techniques manipulate individuals to gain unauthorized access to corporate systems.
• Malware and Exploits: Attackers can introduce first-stage malware into corporate systems through various means, including malicious email attachments, infected websites or compromised software. By exploiting vulnerabilities in software or systems, threat actors can gain unauthorized access and control over critical infrastructure.
• Supply Chain Attacks: Threat actors can target third-party vendors or suppliers with weaker security measures, exploiting vulnerabilities in their systems to obtain access to the corporate network. Once inside, they can move laterally and escalate their privileges.
• Brute-Force Attacks: Attackers may attempt to gain access to corporate systems by systematically trying numerous combinations of usernames and passwords until they discover the correct credentials.
• Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Attacks: Threat actors target exposed RDP ports to gain unauthorized access to corporate systems. They may exploit weak passwords or vulnerabilities in the RDP software to compromise the network.
• Zero-Day Exploits: Zero-day vulnerabilities refer to unknown software vulnerabilities that threat actors discover before developers can patch them. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to obtain unauthorized access to corporate systems.

Threat actors continually evolve their techniques and adopt new methods to infiltrate corporate systems. As a result, organizations must implement comprehensive security measures, including regular software updates, employee training, network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and robust access controls, to protect against these infiltration attempts.