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PsMiner Cryptomining Worm

PsMiner is a newly observed, Go-based, cryptocurrency mining worm.

Threat ID:
CC-2974
Category:
Worm
Threat Severity:
Low
Threat Vector:
Published:
14 March 2019 12:00 AM
Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

Summary

PsMiner is a newly observed, Go-based, cryptocurrency mining worm.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

IBM WebSphere Application Server

ElasticSearch
  • Hadoop
  • Redis
  • Spring
  • Weblogic
  • ThinkPHP
  • SqlServer

Threat details

The threat actors operating PsMiner use several known exploits for multiple high-risk vulnerabilities, as well as brute-force attacks on systems with weak password configurations, to gain access.

Once delivered, PsMiner will execute a PowerShell command to download and execute a secondary module, WindowsUpdate.ps1, which is responsible for downloading and executing the mining and worm modules. The malware uses the open source mining tool, XMRig CPU Miner, to harvest the power of infected machines to mine for the Monroe cryptocurrency.

For further information:

Remediation steps

Type Step

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 2:53 pm