TheMoon IoT Botnet

First observed in 2014, TheMoon is a modular Internet-of-Things (IoT) botnet targeting vulnerable routers within broadband networks.

Threat ID:: CC-2895
Category:: Botnet
Threat Severity:: Low
Threat Vector:: Insecure network
Published:: 6 February 2019 12:00 AM

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

Summary

First observed in 2014, TheMoon is a modular Internet-of-Things (IoT) botnet targeting vulnerable routers within broadband networks.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

D-Link ADSL Router

Linksys routers

ASUS routers
MikroTik routers
D-Link routers
GPON routers

Linksys E-Series routers

Threat details

The threat actors operating the botnet are scanning the Internet for insecure routers and performing brute-force attacks to gain access. Once compromised, TheMoon will deploy malware that can be installed on end devices connected to the network.

The developer of TheMoon has added a module which enables the botnet to turn devices using MIPS-based processors into SOCKS proxies. It is believed that threat actors are purchasing this proxy botnet as a service to be used in brute force attacks on websites, video advertisement fraud and traffic obfuscation.

Remediation steps

Type	Step
	To avoid devices becoming part of an IoT botnet, organisations should: Review the network security of IoT devices on the estate. Change any IoT device default usernames and passwords. 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

To avoid devices becoming part of an IoT botnet, organisations should:

Review the network security of IoT devices on the estate.
Change any IoT device default usernames and passwords.

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 2:45 pm