Carbanak Backdoor

First observed in 2014, Carbanak is a comprehensive backdoor trojan believed to have been created by the FIN7 criminal advanced persistent threat for use in their campaigns.

Threat ID:: CC-3040
Category:: Trojan
Threat Severity:: Medium
Threat Vector:: Spear phishing
Published:: 1 May 2019 12:00 AM

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

Summary

First observed in 2014, Carbanak is a comprehensive backdoor trojan believed to have been created by the FIN7 criminal advanced persistent threat for use in their campaigns.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

In 2017, two code repositories containing Carbanak's source code, documentation, and related tools were discovered on VirusTotal; resulting in FIN7 discarding it in favour of newer malware, notably Bateleur and a number of Cobalt Strike-derived tools. However, Carbanak continues to see use with other attackers.

FIN7 typically delivered Carbanak as an Office attachment distributed via sophisticated spear-phishing or business email compromise campaigns.

Once installed, Carbanak will check for the presence of several anti-virus services, before attempting to connect to a command and control server. It will then await further instructions, and can perform the following commands:

Download, transfer, edit and delete files.
Create, alter and terminate processes.
Spawn a virtual networking computer console.
Inject executables into running processes.
Extract user and system information.
Log keystrokes and mouse movement
Open `RDP connections.
Reboot the operating system.
Wipe the master boot record.
Install the Ammyy remote administration tool.
Create an HTTP proxy

Carbanak also includes a built-in video capture module, which can record the affected system's desktop. It is understood FIN7 used this module to analyse user behaviour and obtain further information before performing attacks.

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.

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 2:47 pm