
Severity
High
Analysis Summary
Stealc is a new malware that was first marketed by an actor named Plymouth on the XSS and BHF Russian-speaking underground forums on January 9, 2023. The malware is written in C and can steal data from web browsers, crypto wallets, email clients, and messaging apps. It is also equipped with a customizable file grabber that allows buyers to tailor the module to siphon files of interest. Stealc implements loader capabilities to deploy additional payloads.
According to researchers, Stealc quickly established itself as a reliable threat actor, and its malware gained the trust of cybercriminals dealing with information stealers. The malware is being distributed through various vectors, including YouTube videos posted from compromised accounts that link to a website peddling cracked software.
- Stealc stealer on XSS
"Since customers of the Stealc MaaS own a build of its administration panel to host the stealer C2 server and generate stealer samples themselves, it is likely that the build will leak into the underground communities in the medium term,"
SEKOIA predicts that the Stealc malware administration panel, which customers of the malware-as-a-service own, will likely leak into underground communities in the medium term. Antivirus vendor Avast lists Stealc as a new addition to the list of most prevalent stealer malware strains, which includes FormBook, Agent Tesla, RedLine, LokiBot, Raccoon, Snake Keylogger, and Arkei (along with its fork Vidar), during Q4 2022.
The discovery of Stealc highlights the ongoing threat posed by information-stealing malware and the importance of remaining vigilant against cyber threats. Individuals and organizations should take proactive steps like using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, regularly updating software and security tools, and being cautious when opening emails or downloading files from unknown sources. It is also important to use antivirus software and other security tools to detect and prevent malware infections.
Impact
- Data Exfiltration
- Credential Theft
- Information Theft
- Financial Loss
Indicators of Compromise
MD5
12247ebf4653796ec00abd7c8f59b149
db2111a16754c3fc229d136f2a5e246d
ece3bbe260897821714044e8d9521385
SHA-256
a26095cf5fff9a7ec04c3fd3fb60372f38f3dc300addf4983e0ce4f7490ef7b2
6037d6e0d87c675c64f4cda11e2ebf91ae62835a8306005fba28ac3773e81275
b1570494d27c902743cb357b7490c4b9367b4d32f52b0aaa1bdd35ab658b2346
SHA-1
7181b8d68aac0861ef505e6fe00b6a4e33a06f3f
58d2ddc44981a7b833a3059b263038484c7f7800
0f3a831759c5ebb5f4cc433602ffe768b45c22c4
Remediation
- Block all threat indicators at your respective controls.
- Search for indicators of compromise (IOCs) in your environment utilizing your respective security controls.
- Emails from unknown senders should always be treated with caution.
- Check for any unauthorized transactions or activities on your financial accounts and report any suspicious activities to the respective authorities.
- Ensure that your operating system and all applications are up to date with the latest security patches and updates to prevent vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malware.
- Implement two-factor authentication for your online accounts to provide an additional layer of security.
- Avoid downloading and installing pirated software, as these sites are often a source of malware infections.
- Educate yourself and your employees on safe computing practices, such as being cautious when opening emails and downloading attachments, to prevent future infections.