CactusTorch Fileless Malware

CactusTorch is fileless malware that executes malicious code on the infected devices.

Threat ID:: CC-2560
Category:
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:
Published:: 2 August 2018 12:00 AM

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Summary

CactusTorch is fileless malware that executes malicious code on the infected devices.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

At the time of publication, CactusTorch has been spread via drive-by-downloads. The source code has been made available on public repositories.

When executed, CactusTorch is injected into a DLL or EXE binary, which stays in memory without being written to the hard drive. It then launches a program called DotNetToJScript, which exploits vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s Component Object Model (COM) to expose some trusted .NET libraries that a typical Windows client will have. DotNetToJScript attaches .NET assemblies to the trusted libraries, which enable remote code execution.

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, anti-virus 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. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer. Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

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, anti-virus 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.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from affected devices should be reset on a clean computer.
Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:39 pm