Xbash Malware Targets Windows and Linux with Ransomware and Cryptomining

Newly identified Xbash malware is targeting weak passwords and unpatched vulnerabilities on Linux and Windows systems to launch ransomware or cryptomining attacks.

Background

Unit 42, Palo Alto Network’s research team, recently blogged about a new malicious software (malware) family it’s calling Xbash. This newly identified malware targets Linux and Windows systems that have weak passwords and unpatched vulnerabilities.

On Linux systems, Xbash will identify and delete MySQL, MongoDB and PostgreSQL databases and then seek ransom payment from victims. On Windows systems, it will initiate cryptomining and self-propagate. Organizations should be aware Xbash has no functionality to restore the deleted databases, so there is no use in paying the ransom.

Vulnerability details

Xbash targets two unpatched vulnerabilities and one patched vulnerability. The first unpatched vulnerability is an unauthenticated command execution vulnerability in Apache Hadoop YARN, which was first discovered in October 2016 but has no CVE. The second unpatched vulnerability is a remote code execution vulnerability in Redis, which was first discovered in November 2015 and also has no CVE. Lastly, the patched vulnerability, CVE-2016-3088, is an arbitrary file write vulnerability in Apache ActiveMQ.

Urgently required actions

To protect against the Xbash malware, we advise organizations to ensure they’re using strong and unique passwords across the board. Because two vulnerabilities remain unpatched, it is important to identify vulnerable assets and ensure they’re protected by an endpoint security product. As there is a patch available for Apache ActiveMQ, organizations should ensure they’re applying patches regularly. Finally, because Xbash targets and deletes databases, organizations should back up databases regularly and segregate them from other systems on the network.

Identifying affected systems

Tenable has the following plugins available to scan for applications targeted by the Xbash malware family.

Get more information:

• Xbash Combines Botnet, Ransomware, Coinmining in Worm that Targets Linux and Windows
• Cryptocurrency-Mining Malware: 2018’s New Menace?

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