The “Dev Popper” campaign represents a sophisticated cyberattack targeting software developers through deceptive job interview offers. The attackers mimic potential employers, offering software development roles and guiding candidates through a job application process that seems legitimate. Candidates are asked to download and execute code from a GitHub repository as part of a standard coding test. However, this is a façade; the real intention is to trick the developers into unwittingly installing a Python-based remote access trojan (RAT) that allows the attackers to gain control over their systems.
The infection chain employed by “Dev Popper” is multi-staged and hinges on social engineering techniques. Initially, developers are contacted with the fake job offers and instructed to download a ZIP archive containing an NPM package from GitHub. This package appears benign, featuring standard files like a README.md and directories for front-end and back-end code. The real threat lies hidden within an obfuscated JavaScript file inside the backend directory, which, once executed, triggers further malicious downloads.
Upon running the NPM package, the obfuscated JavaScript activates and executes ‘curl’ commands to download an additional archive from an external server. This archive contains the next stage payload: an obfuscated Python script that functions as the RAT. Once activated, the RAT collects and transmits essential system information back to the command and control server. This data includes the operating system type, hostname, and network information, giving attackers a foothold within the compromised system.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence to conclusively attribute “Dev Popper” to any specific group, Securonix analysts suggest that the tactics observed may link the campaign to North Korean threat actors. The RAT itself offers extensive capabilities, including persistent connections, file system manipulation to steal specific data, execution of remote commands for further exploits, and direct exfiltration of valuable data from folders such as ‘Documents’ and ‘Downloads’. Additionally, it can log keystrokes and clipboard data, potentially capturing sensitive credentials and further compromising security.
