Brain Food Botnet

A recently observed botnet called Brain Food is being used to operate a malvertising email campaign to redirect users to compromised websites.

Threat ID:: CC-2417
Category:: Botnet
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:
Published:: 24 May 2018 12:00 AM

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

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Summary

A recently observed botnet called Brain Food is being used to operate a malvertising email campaign to redirect users to compromised websites.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

PHP

Web Servers with PHP

Threat details

It is distributed via spam email containing URL links that when opened, will cause the redirection to web servers infected with the Brain Food PHP script.

Its purpose is to collect personal information by redirecting users to compromised sites. Due to the PHP script's polymorphic code, that can change each time it runs, allowing Brain Food to remain undetected by most antivirus platforms.

Remote execution of shell code is possible on web servers which are configured to allow the PHP 'system' command. Operators monitor statistics and actions via Command and Control servers (C2) allowing the whole botnet to switch to new landing pages or blacklist new URLs simultaneously.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	Ensure that there is no unknown PHP scripts hosted on the web server and that PHP is unable to execute system commands remotely. Guidance around usage of the PHP System command can be found here. Additionally, to prevent and detect a infection ensure that: 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, anti-virus 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 affected devices should be reset on a clean computer. Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Type

Step

Ensure that there is no unknown PHP scripts hosted on the web server and that PHP is unable to execute system commands remotely. Guidance around usage of the PHP System command can be found here.

Additionally, to prevent and detect a infection ensure that:

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, anti-virus 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 affected devices should be reset on a clean computer.
Your organisation adopts a holistic all-round approach to Cyber Security as advocated by the 10 Steps to Cyber Security.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:39 pm