Asprox Botnet

First observed in 2008, Asprox is a Windows-based botnet used to perform SQL injection and phishing campaigns. It is also known as Aseljo, Badsrc, Dapato and Dofoil.

Threat ID:: CC-2494
Category:: Backdoor, Botnet
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Phishing, Drive by download
Published:: 15 June 2018 12:00 AM

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

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Summary

First observed in 2008, Asprox is a Windows-based botnet used to perform SQL injection and phishing campaigns. It is also known as Aseljo, Badsrc, Dapato and Dofoil.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

Asprox is distributed through compromised websites. Previously infected devices are used to scan for sites using Active Server Pages (or .ASPnet) before attempting to gain command execution on the site server using SQL injection. If successful it will inject JavaScript scripts on the targeted site to enable drive-by-downloads of Asprox. It will also insert iFrames to redirect to compromised sites and has been delivered through phishing and spam campaigns.

Once installed, Asprox will spawn a process called svchost.exe to connect to its command and control infrastructure and edit registry entries to maintain persistence. Asprox also contains a secondary backdoor known as Kuluoz, which is used to download and install further malware such as Rovix and Zemot. Other backdoors such as Cidox and Rerdom have been observed packaged with Asprox.

Remediation advice

To prevent and detect an infection, ensure that:

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, 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. 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

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.
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 12:38 pm