Malicious extensions on Google Chrome are being used by hackers remotely in an effort to steal sensitive information.
As reported by Bleeping Computer, a new Chrome browser botnet titled ‘Cloud9’ is also capable of logging keystrokes, as well as distributing ads and malicious code.
The browser botnet operates as a remote access trojan (RAT) for the Chromium web browser, which includes both Chrome and Microsoft Edge. As such, it’s not just login credentials that can be accessed; hackers can also launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
The Chrome extension in question is naturally not accessible via Google’s official Chrome web store, so you may be wondering how victims are being targeted. Websites that exist to spread infections via bogus Adobe Flash Player update notifications are being used instead.
Security researchers at Zimperium have confirmed that Cloud9 infection rates have been detected in multiple regions around the world.
The foundation of Cloud9 is three central JavaScript files that can obtain information of the target system, and mine cryptocurrency on that same PC in addition to injecting scripts in order to launch browser exploits.
Multiple vulnerabilities are being exploited, Zimperium notes, including CVE-2019-11708 and CVE-2019-9810 in Firefox, CVE-2014-6332 and CVE-2016-0189 for Internet Explorer, and CVE-2016-7200 for Microsoft Edge.
Although the vulnerabilities are commonly used to install Windows malware, the Cloud9 extension can steal cookies from a browser, allowing hackers to take over valid user sessions.
Furthermore, the malware comes with a keylogger — software that can essentially send all your key presses to the attackers. A “clipper” module was also discovered in the extension, which allows the PC to access copied passwords or credit cards.
“Layer 7 attacks are usually very hard to detect because the TCP connection looks very similar to legitimate requests,” Zimperium stated. “The developer is likely using this botnet to provide a service to perform DDOS.”
Another way the threat actors behind Cloud9 generate even more illicit income is by injecting advertisements and then loading these webpages in the background to accrue ad impressions.
With Cloud9 being spotted on cybercrime forums, the operators could be selling its malicious extension to interested parties. With this in mind, always double-check if you’re installing anything on your browser from an unofficial source and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
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