Domain Shadowing Using Fake Flash Updates

A new domain shadowing campaign has been observed using fake Adobe Flash updates to redirect affected users to malicious sites.

Threat ID:: CC-2362
Category:: Spyware
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:: Download
Published:: 10 May 2018 12:00 AM

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

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Summary

A new domain shadowing campaign has been observed using fake Adobe Flash updates to redirect affected users to malicious sites.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

Domain shadowing is used by an attacker to steal traffic flowing to an otherwise trustworthy domain. Using stolen domain access credentials, they register numerous unauthorised sub-domains which can then be used for any malicious activities including; malvertising, drive-by-download or malware distribution. As these sub-domains are associated with a trusted parent domain they are typically harder to identify.

The fake updates, SpeedFlash and ScrnSize, are used redirect users to the shadow sub-domains, with the redirection using information about the affected device

Remediation advice

To prevent and detect an infection, ensure that:

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 Updates on Devices should be centrally controlled and administered preventing this type of Threat. 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 Updates on Devices should be centrally controlled and administered preventing this type of Threat.
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 12:42 pm