Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a new and sophisticated cloud-targeting worm called P2PInfect, which exploits vulnerable Redis instances on both Linux and Windows operating systems. Developed in the highly scalable and cloud-friendly programming language Rust, P2PInfect exhibits a greater level of potency compared to other worms.
The worm utilizes a critical Lua sandbox escape vulnerability (CVE-2022-0543) to gain initial access and then proceeds to establish peer-to-peer communication to infect additional Redis and SSH hosts.
With an estimated 934 unique Redis systems potentially vulnerable to P2PInfect, the threat poses a significant risk to cloud environments. The first instance of P2PInfect was detected on July 11, 2023.
After exploiting the initial vulnerability, P2PInfect deploys a dropper payload to create a peer-to-peer network and fetch additional malicious binaries, including scanning software to propagate the malware further. Infected instances then join the P2P network, providing access to other payloads and expanding the reach of the worm.
Despite the presence of the word “miner” in its source code, researchers have not found definitive evidence of cryptojacking as the campaign’s end goal. Moreover, P2PInfect’s activity has not been attributed to any known threat actor groups specialized in targeting cloud environments. The worm’s well-designed P2P network and modern development choices make it a notable addition to the cloud-targeting and cryptojacking threat landscape.
Misconfigured and vulnerable cloud assets are constantly being targeted by bad actors, highlighting the urgency for organizations to fortify their cloud infrastructure against such attacks.
As the P2PInfect worm presents a substantial risk to cloud environments, businesses must take proactive measures to secure their Redis instances and cloud infrastructure. This includes promptly applying updates and patches, implementing robust security measures, and continuously monitoring for potential vulnerabilities.
By doing so, organizations can effectively defend against P2PInfect and similar sophisticated cloud-targeting attacks, safeguarding their sensitive data and systems from compromise.
