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Icefog Backdoor

First observed in 2011, Icefog (also known as Fucobha) is an advanced backdoor created by the advanced persistent threat (APT) group of the same name.

Threat ID:
CC-3093
Category:
Backdoor
Threat Severity:
Medium
Threat Vector:
Spear phishing
Published:
13 June 2019 12:00 AM
Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

Summary

First observed in 2011, Icefog (also known as Fucobha) is an advanced backdoor created by the advanced persistent threat (APT) group of the same name.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

  • Apple macOS - All versions

Threat details

Despite Icefog APT activities appearing to cease in 2013, the Icefog backdoor has continued to see intermittent use by other groups in the years since.

Icefog is delivered via spear-phishing emails containing malicious attachments. When opened, these attachments execute one or more Microsoft Office, Hangul Word Processor, Oracle Java or HLP file exploits in order to gain access to the affected device before extracting and installing Icefog.

At the time of publication, there are two observed Icefog variants, Icefog-P and Icefog-M, with each having slight variations in capability. Icefog-P is a comprehensive backdoor and remote access trojan able to execute commands, install payloads, exfiltrate data and terminate processes over an HTTP command and control (C2) connection. Icefog-M is based on Icefog-P but switches to an HTTPS connection for C2 communications and can install file-less payloads using a new loader.

For further information:

Remediation steps

Type Step

To prevent and detect an infection, ensure that:

  • 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.
  • Regular anti-virus and security scans are performed on your organisation’s estate.
  • 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 January 2022 7:16 pm