Silent Push researchers have recently uncovered a new cybercrime technique known as “Infrastructure Laundering,” which cybercriminals are increasingly using to mask their illicit activities. This method involves renting IP addresses from legitimate cloud services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, which are then used to host malicious websites linked to scams like money laundering and phishing. The FUNNULL content delivery network (CDN) has been identified as a major player in this tactic, enabling criminals to cycle through thousands of IP addresses to avoid detection.
The FUNNULL network has been linked to various cybercriminal activities, including a high-profile supply chain attack on the popular JavaScript library polyfillio, which impacted over 110,000 websites.
The network, often operated by cybercriminal groups, particularly Chinese Triads, spans both Western and Asian IPs, complicating efforts to monitor and disrupt criminal operations. Researchers have emphasized the real-world consequences of this method, as it blends malicious traffic with legitimate web use, making detection and intervention difficult.
Further investigation revealed that FUNNULL exploits online gambling brands like Bwin, creating fake gambling sites to deceive users. These counterfeit sites, hosted on compromised infrastructure, add to the growing list of fraudulent activities being conducted using cloud services. While AWS has taken steps to suspend the malicious accounts involved, Silent Push urges cloud providers to take a more active role in monitoring rented IP addresses and tracking potential abuse through CNAME chains linked to these malicious actors.
Although AWS and Microsoft have responded to the issue, highlighting actions taken to address the abuse, concerns remain over the ability of cybercriminals to easily acquire new IPs. Silent Push’s findings underscore the importance of heightened security measures by cloud providers, including monitoring for signs of malicious activity and preventing criminals from using their services for illicit purposes. The ongoing evolution of this tactic calls for vigilance and stronger safeguards against exploitation.
