Cybercriminals Using PowerShell to Steal NTLMv2 Hashes from Compromised Windows

A new cyber attack campaign is leveraging the PowerShell script associated with a authentic crimson teaming tool to plunder NTLMv2 hashes from compromised Windows units mostly positioned in Australia, Poland, and Belgium.

The exercise has been codenamed Steal-It by Zscaler ThreatLabz.

“In this campaign, the risk actors steal and exfiltrate NTLMv2 hashes working with custom-made variations of Nishang’s Commence-CaptureServer PowerShell script, executing numerous technique instructions, and exfiltrating the retrieved info by means of Mockbin APIs,” security researchers Niraj Shivtarkar and Avinash Kumar mentioned.

Nishang is a framework and assortment of PowerShell scripts and payloads for offensive security, penetration screening, and purple teaming.

The attacks leverage as lots of as five diverse an infection chains, although they all leverage phishing e-mails containing ZIP archives as the commencing stage to infiltrate distinct targets employing geofencing methods –

• NTLMv2 hash stealing infection chain, which employs a personalized edition of the aforementioned Start off-CaptureServer PowerShell script to harvest NTLMv2 hashes
• Procedure data thieving infection chain, which OnlyFans lures to goal Australian users into downloading a CMD file that pilfers process details
• Fansly whoami an infection chain, which works by using express photographs of Ukrainian and Russian Fansly types to entice Polish users into downloading a CMD file that exfiltrates the success of the whoami command
• Windows update an infection chain, which targets Belgium consumers with fake Windows update scripts designed to run commands like tasklist and systeminfo

It is truly worth noting that the last attack sequence was highlighted by the Computer Unexpected emergency Reaction Crew of Ukraine (CERT-UA) in May perhaps 2023 as aspect of an APT28 campaign directed towards authorities establishments in the state.

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This raises the probability that the Steal-It marketing campaign could also be the function of the Russian point out-sponsored danger actor.

“The risk actors’ custom made PowerShell scripts and strategic use of LNK files inside ZIP archives highlights their technical abilities,” the researchers said. “The persistence taken care of by shifting files from the Downloads to Startup folder and renaming them underscores the risk actors’ dedication to extended entry.”

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Some components of this posting are sourced from:
thehackernews.com