A new large-scale malware campaign has been uncovered that exploits a vulnerable Windows driver from Adlice’s product suite to deliver the Gh0st RAT malware. The attackers used a technique known as a “bring your own vulnerable driver” (BYOVD) to bypass detection systems, particularly endpoint detection and response (EDR) software. They deliberately modified the driver’s components, creating thousands of variants while maintaining its valid signature to evade detection. This technique enabled the attackers to disable security measures and continue the infection process undetected.
The malware campaign, identified by Check Point, utilized the legacy 2.0.2 version of the Truesight driver, specifically designed to terminate processes associated with security solutions.
Variants of this driver were detected on platforms like VirusTotal, with estimates suggesting that the actual number is likely higher. The driver’s vulnerability had already been weaponized in previous exploits like Darkside and TrueSightKiller, making it a favored target for attackers seeking to disable security defenses.
Evidence points to a threat actor known as Silver Fox APT, though it has not been definitively confirmed as the perpetrator. The campaign shares several characteristics with the actor’s historical patterns, including similarities in execution chains and targeting. The attack primarily affected victims in China, with a smaller number in Singapore and Taiwan. The attack starts with malicious samples disguised as legitimate applications, propagated through deceptive websites and messaging apps, leading to the installation of the vulnerable Truesight driver.
Once the initial payload is delivered, the second-stage malware is used to load the EDR-killer module, which then installs the Gh0st RAT, allowing attackers to gain remote control of compromised systems. The attackers used advanced evasion techniques, including modifying the driver to bypass Microsoft’s Vulnerable Driver Blocklist. The attack also targeted systems using common file types like PNG and JPG to disguise the malicious payload, ultimately enabling data theft, surveillance, and manipulation of the targeted systems.
