The recently uncovered Tusk malware campaign targets users through brand impersonation, tricking victims into downloading DanaBot, StealC, and other malware strains. Russian-speaking cybercriminals orchestrate the campaign, using deceptive websites and fake social media accounts to impersonate well-known brands. The malware is initially delivered through Dropbox-hosted downloaders, designed to infiltrate systems and deploy info-stealers like DanaBot and StealC, along with clipboard-hijacking clippers to reroute cryptocurrency transactions.
Kaspersky researchers identified 19 distinct sub-campaigns within the Tusk campaign, with three currently active: TidyMe, RuneOnlineWorld, and Voico. Each of these sub-campaigns leverages sophisticated phishing techniques, deploying downloaders disguised as legitimate software. The TidyMe campaign, for example, mimics peerme[.]io by redirecting users to lookalike websites to download malicious software for both Windows and macOS. Similarly, the RuneOnlineWorld campaign lures victims through a fake MMO gaming site, while Voico targets users of an AI translation service, capturing credentials under false pretenses.
The malware’s delivery process employs Electron-based applications as initial downloaders, which appear legitimate but execute malicious payloads in the background. Once activated, the malware downloader proceeds with data theft, primarily targeting sensitive information such as personal and financial details, stored credentials, and cryptocurrency wallet data. In addition to info-stealing malware, these campaigns deploy Hijack Loader artifacts that enable the attackers to maintain prolonged access to compromised systems.
These tactics illustrate the cybercriminals’ sophisticated strategies, leveraging social engineering and multistage malware to gain unauthorized access and achieve financial gain. By mimicking trusted brands and online services, the Tusk campaign’s operators exploit user trust and familiarity with popular platforms. The campaign underscores the evolving threat landscape, as attackers increasingly turn to brand impersonation and advanced phishing techniques to deploy malware.
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