Masuta IoT Botnet

Masuta is an internet-of-things (IoT) botnet believed to have been created by Nexus Zeta, the same group that produced the Satori IoT botnet.

Threat ID:: CC-1987
Category:: Worm, Botnet
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 31 January 2018 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

This content has been archived

This article no longer conforms to NHS Digital's standards for cyber alerts, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information. Use of this information contained in this page is at your own risk

Summary

Masuta is an internet-of-things (IoT) botnet believed to have been created by Nexus Zeta, the same group that produced the Satori IoT botnet.

Threat details

Like most other IoT botnets, Masuta uses a list of default credentials to gain access to routers from which it can then spread to connected devices. Masuta also exploits a flaw in the Home Network Administration Protocol, based on the SOAP (Simple Object Access) protocol.

Remediation advice

To avoid botnet infection:

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date. All day to day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts. Strong password policies are in place and password reuse is discouraged. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from infected machines should be reset on a clean computer.

Type

Step

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date.
All day to day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts.
Strong password policies are in place and password reuse is discouraged.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from infected machines should be reset on a clean computer.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:48 pm