In recent cybersecurity findings, researchers have reported the emergence of unprecedented open-source software supply chain attacks specifically aimed at the banking sector. The attacks displayed a high level of sophistication, utilizing advanced techniques to target specific components within the web assets of targeted banks. One key tactic involved attaching malicious functionalities to these components, enabling the attackers to infiltrate the victim banks undetected.
To further their deceptive maneuvers, the threat actors created fake LinkedIn profiles, adding credibility to their ruse. Additionally, they established customized command-and-control (C2) centers for each target, leveraging legitimate services for illicit activities.
In the first attack, the malware author posed as an employee of the targeted bank and uploaded several packages to the npm registry. These packages included a preinstall script designed to activate the infection sequence upon installation. To complete their disguise, the threat actor fabricated a fake LinkedIn page.
Once launched, the script assessed the host operating system to determine if it was Windows, Linux, or macOS. Based on this information, a second-stage malware was downloaded from a remote server using an Azure subdomain that incorporated the name of the bank, cleverly bypassing traditional deny list methods due to Azure’s legitimate status.
Another unrelated attack detected earlier targeted a different bank in February 2023. The adversary uploaded a package to npm that was meticulously crafted to blend seamlessly into the victim bank’s website and remain dormant until activated. This package was designed to stealthily intercept login data and transmit the stolen details to an actor-controlled infrastructure, leading to potential financial losses and data breaches.
Supply chain security has become a critical concern, as a single malicious open-source package can instantly breach the entire software creation and distribution pipeline, rendering subsequent countermeasures ineffective. Financial institutions have faced increased threats from web-inject toolkits like drIBAN, which facilitates unauthorized transactions while circumventing identity verification and anti-fraud mechanisms used by banks.
These cybersecurity developments highlight the pressing need for bolstered supply chain defenses to protect critical sectors like banking from sophisticated and targeted attacks orchestrated by cybercriminals.
