Andromeda Modular Botnet

Andromeda (also known as Gamarue) is an HTTP-based modular botnet with anti-detection and anti-analysis capabilities. Activity has been based primarily around the US, Japan and Turkey.

Threat ID:: CC-1825
Category:: Botnet
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:
Published:: 30 November 2017 12:00 AM

Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

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Summary

Andromeda (also known as Gamarue) is an HTTP-based modular botnet with anti-detection and anti-analysis capabilities. Activity has been based primarily around the US, Japan and Turkey.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All Versions

Threat details

Infection can occur through phishing campaigns, malicious attachments, pirated software or illegal download sites.

The malware itself consists only of a loader, with functionality provided by modules downloaded from its command and control (C2) server. These plugins are freely available and have various capabilities, such as key-logging, certificate theft, data exfiltration and backdoor installation. Modules for downloading and executing files raise the possibility of further malware infection. This modularity makes Andromeda highly flexible and popular as a delivery mechanism for other malware campaigns.

Communication with its C2 server is encrypted using several RC4 keys in order to make tracking more difficult, and Andromeda installs copies of component files instead of copies of itself to prevent easy detection.

Threat updates

Date	Update
22 Mar 2018	Microsoft have released new details regarding the Andromeda's infrastructure as well as their takedown of numerous portions of this in 2015. Further details and a technical report can be found here.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails. All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date. All day to day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts. Strong password policies are in place and password reuse is discouraged. Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity. User accounts accessed from infected machines should be reset on a clean computer.

Type

Step

A robust program of education and awareness training is delivered to users to ensure they don’t open attachments or follow links within unsolicited emails.
All operating systems, antivirus and other security products are kept up to date.
All day to day computer activities such as email and internet are performed using non-administrative accounts.
Strong password policies are in place and password reuse is discouraged.
Network, proxy and firewall logs should be monitored for suspicious activity.
User accounts accessed from infected machines should be reset on a clean computer.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 11:26 am