A concerning development in the realm of cybersecurity has surfaced with the discovery of a potent malware strain known as Statc Stealer. This malicious software is specifically designed to infiltrate devices operating on Microsoft Windows, aiming to extract personal and financial information of users. Zscaler ThreatLabz researchers, Shivam Sharma and Amandeep Kumar, issued a technical report emphasizing the extensive range of capabilities possessed by Statc Stealer, classifying it as a substantial threat.
The malware’s capabilities include the pilfering of data from various web browsers, encompassing login credentials, cookies, web data, preferences, cryptocurrency wallets, and even messaging app content such as from Telegram.
Crafted in C++, Statc Stealer employs sophisticated tactics to compromise victim systems. The malware often gains access through seemingly benign ads, tricking users into clicking and initiating the infection process.
By mimicking an MP4 video file format, it evades suspicion, primarily on browsers like Google Chrome. The malware’s operational structure involves a multi-step approach, with its first stage deploying a deceptive PDF installer while simultaneously activating a downloader binary. This binary then retrieves the malware from a remote server using a PowerShell script. Notably, Statc Stealer is designed to elude detection, employing advanced checks to deter sandbox analysis and reverse engineering. It establishes connections with a command-and-control (C&C) server for secure data exfiltration via HTTPS.
The researchers underscore the potential ramifications of Statc Stealer’s data exfiltration technique, emphasizing its capacity to covertly transmit stolen sensitive browser information to its designated C&C server. This technique, while executed with encryption, poses considerable risks, enabling cybercriminals to acquire valuable login credentials and personal details for malicious purposes, including identity theft and financial fraud. This discovery arrives concurrently with eSentire’s analysis of an upgraded iteration of the Raccoon Stealer malware.
Notably, the creators of Raccoon Stealer temporarily halted its development following a key arrest in 2022, highlighting the evolving landscape of cyber threats and the need for enhanced vigilance in safeguarding sensitive information.
