Gh0stCringe Remote Access Trojan

First observed in December 2018, Gh0stCringe (also known as cineregRAT) is a remote access trojan (RAT) believed to be based on the older Gh0stRAT malware.

Threat ID:: CC-3122
Category:: Trojan
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Exploit, Email spam
Published:: 27 June 2019 12:00 AM

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

Summary

First observed in December 2018, Gh0stCringe (also known as cineregRAT) is a remote access trojan (RAT) believed to be based on the older Gh0stRAT malware.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

Despite having full RAT capabilities, Gh0stCringe appears to be used solely as a dropper in cryptocurrency mining campaigns, most notably for MadoMiner, suggesting it may be shared amongst several disparate attackers.

Gh0stCringe is typically distributed over SMB or EternalBlue and DoublePulsar amongst others) but has also been observed as a payload in spam campaigns. Once delivered to a target system, Gh0stCringe will load itself into memory to prevent detection and analysis, before installing five function modules as a service group to maintain persistence.

Once installed, Gh0stCringe will connect to a command and control server and send XOR encrypted system information before awaiting further instructions. Secondary payloads are sent from the C2 server as DLL files and installed as services in a similar manner to Gh0stCringe itself. Gh0stCringe can also create proxy servers and delete event logs on affected systems, although this functionality has not been observed in the wild.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	Both the EternalBlue and DoublePulsar exploits are addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-010. Users are advised to install this update immediately if they have not already done so. If Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is not used, then ensure port 3389 (TCP/UDP) is blocked at your internet firewall. If RDP is used, then: Ensure network level authentication is enabled. Only allow access for authorised RDP users. Enforce strong password policies. Enforce multi-factor authentication. Don't allow RDP access for privileged user accounts. Don’t use generic accounts. Set user accounts with an expiry date. Audit user accounts periodically. Only allow point-to-point connections from specific IP addresses where feasible. Ensure Transport Layer Security (TLS) is up-to-date. Log and monitor all RDP activity and investigate unusual behaviour. Consider only allowing RDP for authorised virtual private network (VPN) connections. Additionally, to prevent and detect a trojan 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.

Type

Step

Both the EternalBlue and DoublePulsar exploits are addressed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS17-010. Users are advised to install this update immediately if they have not already done so.

If Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is not used, then ensure port 3389 (TCP/UDP) is blocked at your internet firewall. If RDP is used, then:

Ensure network level authentication is enabled.
Only allow access for authorised RDP users.
Enforce strong password policies.
Enforce multi-factor authentication.
Don't allow RDP access for privileged user accounts.
Don’t use generic accounts.
Set user accounts with an expiry date.
Audit user accounts periodically.
Only allow point-to-point connections from specific IP addresses where feasible.
Ensure Transport Layer Security (TLS) is up-to-date.
Log and monitor all RDP activity and investigate unusual behaviour.
Consider only allowing RDP for authorised virtual private network (VPN) connections.

Additionally, to prevent and detect a trojan 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: 14 February 2020 2:52 pm