Ozone (Remote Access Trojan) – Malware

Overview

The Ozone RAT represents a significant threat in the realm of cyber espionage and malware distribution. This powerful tool is designed to grant unauthorized access to compromised systems, enabling attackers to perform a range of malicious activities remotely. Initially marketed as a legitimate utility for remote system administration, Ozone RAT has evolved into a favored instrument for cybercriminals seeking to exploit its advanced capabilities for illicit purposes. The transition from a benign tool to a weapon of cybercrime underscores the dual-use nature of technology and highlights the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity.

Ozone RAT’s sophistication is reflected in its stealth and versatility. It operates through a series of well-crafted social engineering tactics, often distributed via SPAM campaigns. The malware disguises itself within seemingly innocuous attachments or links, tricking users into executing the payload. Once installed, Ozone RAT employs various techniques to maintain persistence and evade detection, including the use of fake SSL certificates and proxy configurations to redirect traffic and facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks. This method not only compromises system integrity but also exposes sensitive data to further exploitation.

Targets

German-Speaking Users: The malware campaign focused on German-speaking individuals, as evidenced by the spam emails crafted in German.

MITRE Tactics and Techniques

Initial Access:

Phishing: T1566

Execution:

User Execution: T1203

Persistence:

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: T1547

Privilege Escalation:

Exploitation for Privilege Escalation: T1068

Defense Evasion:

Obfuscated Files or Information: T1027
Reflective DLL Injection: T1055.012

Credential Access:

Input Capture: T1056

Discovery:

System Information Discovery: T1082

Command and Control:

Application Layer Protocol: T1071
TOR and Proxy Usage: T1090

Exfiltration:

Data Staged: T1074

Impact:

Data Manipulation: T1565

Impact / Significant Attacks

Corporate Espionage in Germany:

Date: August 2016
Details: Ozone RAT was part of a targeted spam campaign aimed at German-speaking users. The attackers used social engineering tactics, including malicious email attachments disguised as billing information, to spread the RAT. This campaign led to infections within various organizations, primarily focusing on corporate espionage.
European Financial Sector Breach:

Date: September 2017
Details: Ozone RAT was involved in an attack against financial institutions in Europe. The malware was used to gain unauthorized access to sensitive financial data, including transactions and personal information. The attack leveraged the RAT’s ability to perform man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks and keylogging.
Government Sector Attacks in Eastern Europe:

Date: March 2018
Details: Ozone RAT was used in attacks targeting government agencies in Eastern European countries. The malware was deployed to intercept communications and gather classified information. The attackers used advanced evasion techniques to bypass security measures and maintain persistence within the targeted networks.
Healthcare Industry Breach in Northern Europe:

Date: December 2018
Details: The RAT was employed in a breach affecting healthcare organizations. Attackers used Ozone RAT to access patient records and sensitive health information. The malware facilitated unauthorized access to medical data and led to significant privacy concerns.

References

• German Speakers Targeted by SPAM Leading to Ozone RAT
• Reservations Requested: TA558 Targets Hospitality and Travel
• Ozone RAT