A new malware campaign targeting Linux environments has been discovered, focusing on exploiting Oracle Weblogic servers to mine cryptocurrency and deploy botnet malware. Identified by cybersecurity researchers at Aqua, the malware, dubbed Hadooken, is designed to infiltrate systems by exploiting known security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, such as weak credentials. Once inside, it delivers a combination of a crypto miner and a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) botnet known as Tsunami, which has a history of targeting services like Jenkins and Weblogic, particularly those deployed in Kubernetes clusters.
The attack involves two payloads: one written in Python and the other as a shell script, both responsible for retrieving the Hadooken malware from remote servers. These payloads are designed to exploit Oracle Weblogic servers by gaining an initial foothold and executing arbitrary code on vulnerable instances. The shell script variant goes a step further, scanning directories for SSH credentials, host information, and secrets, which it then uses to move laterally across other systems within the organization. This lateral movement allows the malware to propagate more effectively, spreading the Hadooken infection to other connected environments.
Hadooken operates with a dual purpose: mining cryptocurrency and enabling DDoS attacks via the Tsunami botnet. To ensure its persistence on infected hosts, the malware creates cron jobs that run the crypto miner periodically at random intervals, allowing it to operate undetected for extended periods. The malware’s spread has been linked to known vulnerabilities in Oracle Weblogic servers, further highlighting the need for organizations to ensure their systems are updated and properly configured to prevent such attacks.
The infrastructure behind the attack traces back to two IP addresses registered to Aeza International LTD, a bulletproof hosting provider with a presence in Germany and Russia. Aeza is known for offering shelter to cybercriminal activities, with reports suggesting the company has recruited young developers to support its operations. Previous research linked Aeza to the 8220 Gang, which has been involved in cryptocurrency mining campaigns that exploited vulnerabilities in Apache Log4j and Atlassian Confluence Server. This latest campaign underscores the continued threat of unpatched systems and the increasing sophistication of malware targeting cloud-based services.
