BREAKING

Friday, August 1, 2014

Koler ‘Police’ Mobile Ransomware Now Targets PCs and Android


Wazzup Pilipinas!


Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content and threat management solutions has detected a hidden part of the malicious campaign which introduced Koler “police” mobile ransomware for Android devices to the world in April 2014.

This part includes some browser-based ransomware and an exploit kit.

Since July 23, the mobile component of the campaign has been disrupted, as the command and control server started sending ‘Uninstall’ commands to mobile victims, effectively deleting the malicious application.

However, the rest of the malicious components for PC users – including the exploit kit – are still active.

Kaspersky Lab is keeping an eye on the malware, which was first described by a security researcher named Kaffeine1.

Those behind the attacks used an unusual scheme to scan victims’ systems and offer customized ransomware depending on location and device type – mobile or PC.

The redirection infrastructure is the next step, after a victim visits any of at least 48 malicious porno websites used by Koler’s operators.

The use of a pornographic network for this ransomware is no coincidence: victims are more likely to feel guilty about browsing such content and pay the alleged fine from the “authorities”.

These porno sites redirect users to the central hub that uses the Keitaro Traffic Distribution System (TDS) to redirect users again.

Depending on a number of conditions, this second redirection can lead to three different malicious scenarios:


Installation of the Koler mobile ransomware.

In case of mobile engagement, the website automatically redirects the user to the malicious application.

But the user still has to confirm the download and installation of the app – called animalporn.apk –
which is actually Koler ransomware. It blocks the screen of an infected device and requests a
ransom of between $100 and $300 in order to unlock it.

The malware displays a localized message from the ‘police’, making it more realistic.


Redirection to any of the browser ransomware websites.

A special controller checks whether the user agent is from one of 30 affected countries, the user isn’t an Android user, and the request contains no Internet Explorer user agent.

If it’s yes to all three, the user sees a blocking screen identical to the one used for mobile devices. There is no infection in this case, just a pop-up showing a blocking template.

However, the user can easily avoid the block with a simple alt+F4 combination.


Redirection to a website containing the Angler Exploit Kit.

If the user uses Internet Explorer, then the redirection infrastructure used in this campaign sends the user to sites hosting the Angler Exploit Kit, which has exploits for Silverlight, Adobe Flash and Java.

During Kaspersky Lab’s analysis, the exploit code was fully functional, however it didn’t deliver any payload, but this may change in the nearest future.

“Of most interest is the distribution network used in the campaign. Dozens of automatically generated websites redirect traffic to a central hub using a traffic distribution system where users are redirected again. We believe this infrastructure demonstrates just how well organized and dangerous this campaign is,” said Vicente Diaz, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab.

“The attackers can quickly create similar infrastructure thanks to full automation, changing the payload or targeting different users. The attackers have also thought up a number of ways of monetizing their campaign income in a truly multi-device scheme,” he added.


Mobile payload numbers

Among almost 200,000 visitors to the mobile infection domain since the beginning of the campaign, the majority are based in the USA (80% – 146,650), followed by the UK (13,692), Australia (6,223), Canada (5,573), Saudi Arabia (1,975) and Germany (1,278).

Kaspersky Lab has shared its findings with both Europol and Interpol, and is currently cooperating with law enforcement agencies to explore possibilities for shutting down the infrastructure.


Tips for users – how to stay secure:
  • Remember that you will never get official ‘ransom’ messages from the police, so never pay them
  • Don’t install any app you find while browsing
  • Don’t visit websites you don’t trust
  • Use a reliable antivirus solutionKaspersky Lab detects this ransomware as Trojan.AndroidOS.Koler.a.
The full report is available at securelist.com

Cyberthreat real-time map
________________________________
1http://malware.dontneedcoffee.com/2014/05/police-locker-available-for-your.html

About ""

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.

Post a Comment

Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas Wazzup Pilipinas and the Umalohokans. Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas celebrating 10th year of online presence
 
Copyright © 2013 Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events
Design by FBTemplates | BTT