DanaBot Banking Trojan

First observed in May 2018, DanaBot is a Delphi-based modular banking trojan. It was initially seen targeting Australian organisations, but has now begun appearing through Western Europe.

Threat ID:: CC-2690
Category:: Trojan
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Email spam
Published:: 26 September 2018 12:00 AM

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

This content has been archived

This article no longer conforms to NHS Digital's standards for cyber alerts, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information. Use of this information contained in this page is at your own risk

Summary

First observed in May 2018, DanaBot is a Delphi-based modular banking trojan. It was initially seen targeting Australian organisations, but has now begun appearing through Western Europe.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

DanaBot is distributed using malicious RAR and ZIP files delivered via spam campaigns. The files contain a combination of VBS and PowerShell scripts, collectively referred to as Brushaloader, that acts as a dropper for the final payload.

Once installed on an affected device, DanaBot will install four modules:

VNC - used to allow the attacker to connect to and control the device.
Sniffer - performs script injection on banking sites visited by the user.
Stealer - collects user credentials from browsers, chat and email clients, FTP and VPN applications and online poker applications.
TOR - installs a Tor proxy for communication with a command and control server.

Newer versions will also include an RDP module to provide a second means of control if the VNC module is unable to connect.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	If Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is not used, then ensure port 3389 (TCP/UDP) is blocked at your internet firewall. If RDP is used, then: Only allow access for authorised RDP users. Enforce strong password policies. Enforce multi-factor authentication. Don't allow RDP access for privileged user accounts. Don’t use generic accounts. Set user accounts with an expiry date. Audit user accounts periodically. Only allow point-to-point connections from specific IP addresses where feasible. Ensure Transport Layer Security (TLS) is up-to-date. Log and monitor all RDP activity and investigate unusual behaviour. Consider only allowing RDP for authorised virtual private network (VPN) connections. Additionally, to prevent and detect a trojan 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. Regular anti-virus and security scans are performed on your organisation’s estate. 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

If Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is not used, then ensure port 3389 (TCP/UDP) is blocked at your internet firewall. If RDP is used, then:

Only allow access for authorised RDP users.
Enforce strong password policies.
Enforce multi-factor authentication.
Don't allow RDP access for privileged user accounts.
Don’t use generic accounts.
Set user accounts with an expiry date.
Audit user accounts periodically.
Only allow point-to-point connections from specific IP addresses where feasible.
Ensure Transport Layer Security (TLS) is up-to-date.
Log and monitor all RDP activity and investigate unusual behaviour.
Consider only allowing RDP for authorised virtual private network (VPN) connections.

Additionally, to prevent and detect a trojan 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.
Regular anti-virus and security scans are performed on your organisation’s estate.
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 12:41 pm