NRSMiner Cryptocurrency Miner

First observed in November 2018, NRSMiner is a cryptocurrency miner that uses the EternalBlue and DoublePulsar exploits to achieve propagation.

Threat ID:: CC-2863
Category:: Miner
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Insecure network, Email spam
Published:: 3 January 2019 12:00 AM

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

Summary

First observed in November 2018, NRSMiner is a cryptocurrency miner that uses the EternalBlue and DoublePulsar exploits to achieve propagation.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

At the time of publication it is unclear how NRSMiner is initially delivered to a target system, although there are unconfirmed reports indicating it is distributed through spam email campaigns. Once on a device, NRSMiner will execute a file called Wininit.exe, which will scan the local network for accessible systems over TCP port 445. It will then extract and deploy EternalBlue 2.2.0 against any systems found.

Wininit.exe will then deploy DoublePulsar 1.3.1 to establish a backdoor on the affected system through which it will install a variant of the XMRig Monero mining application. It will also check and remove any previous versions of itself from the system.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	Microsoft addressed the vulnerabilities exploited by EternalBlue in Security Bulletin MS17-010. Users and administrators are encouraged to apply this update immediately if they have not already done so. Additional guidance on securing SMB can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2696547. Additionally, to prevent and detect an 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

Microsoft addressed the vulnerabilities exploited by EternalBlue in Security Bulletin MS17-010. Users and administrators are encouraged to apply this update immediately if they have not already done so. Additional guidance on securing SMB can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2696547.

Additionally, to prevent and detect an 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: 14 February 2020 2:51 pm