FIN7 APT

FIN7 is an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group that has attacked over one hundred organisations in the United States and Europe, including government bodies. Several individuals from the group have been prosecuted, but it is believed that there are others who continue to engage in cyber crime.

Threat ID:: CC-2580
Category:: Backdoor
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Spear phishing
Published:: 8 August 2018 12:00 AM

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

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Summary

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - all versions

Threat details

The group is highly proficient at using social engineering to gain a foothold. FIN7's incursion methods include malicious macros in fake documents and spear phishing campaigns. FIN7 is known to impersonate government bodies and make telephone contact with pre-determined employees to gain trust. Once infection has been achieved, the group usually deploys the Carbanak backdoor to maintain access to affected devices. FIN7 is therefore sometimes known as the Carbanak group.

FIN7 uses digital certificates on its phishing documents and backdoors, which has allowed it to defeat a range of security controls that would have otherwise limited the execution of malicious code. It has also used the native string substitution methods in the Windows command prompt to obfuscate their payloads. The group has gone to the lengths of creating a front company called Combi Security to disguise its activities.

FIN7 usually attempts to obtain payment card details from affected organisations, but when this has not been obtainable then it has switched to targeting finance departments.

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 12:43 pm