stealthy email-based keylogger infiltration poses risk

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, a recent cybercrime campaign has resurfaced an old threat: the Snake Keylogger program. This malicious software, which records keystrokes from users and transmits the collected data to attackers, poses a significant threat to privacy and online security.

The campaign, discovered by HP Wolf Security in May 2022, targets the human weakness in cybersecurity, a factor involved in 82% of all breaches this year. Email is the number one attack vector for data breaches, and this new campaign is no exception.

The attack process begins with an email that carries an enticing subject line and a PDF attachment. The unsuspecting user is prompted to open an embedded DOCX file containing a macro that downloads and executes a rich text file (RTF) from the Command & Control server. This is all done without the user's knowledge, allowing the Snake Keylogger to infiltrate their system.

The Snake Keylogger attack exploits a Microsoft security vulnerability (CVE-2017-11882) identified in 2017. This vulnerability exploits a remote code execution error in the formula editor. A patch for this vulnerability was released in November 2017, but many operating systems still seem to be unpatched, allowing the vulnerability to continue being successfully exploited.

In the face of these persistent threats, it's crucial to implement robust email security measures. Certain email security threats can bypass sandbox detection, affecting productivity. To combat this, solutions like MetaDefender E-Mail Gateway Security can be an appropriate solution. Developed by OPSWAT, this system comprehensively secures the email attack vector by analyzing attachments, content, and integrated hyperlinks using the Anti-Malware Multiscanner, file disinfection, and DLP functions.

However, conventional email security and antivirus solutions can barely prevent zero-day attacks, as there are no signatures to recognise them. Zero-day malware, security vulnerabilities for which no signatures are available, are a common and serious residual risk in cyber defense. To address this, the Zero-Trust security approach assumes that any file that can embed malware also contains malicious code and cleanses those data. File disinfection, a proactive solution that treats all attached files as potentially malicious and cleans them in real-time, embodies the Zero-Trust philosophy.

In the ongoing battle against cyber threats, staying vigilant and adopting comprehensive security measures is key. The Snake Keylogger attack is a stark reminder that even patched vulnerabilities can resurface, and that zero-day attacks continue to pose a significant risk. By understanding these threats and implementing robust security solutions, we can work towards a safer digital future.