N. Korean Hacking Group Is Targeting Security Researchers

A North Korean hacking group that targets security researchers has now created a fake offensive security firm. This firm which is believed to be state-sponsored,  has been exposed by Google's Threat Analysis Group (TAG).

The TAG, which specialises in tracking advanced persistent threat (APT) groups) has identified an on-going campaign targeting security researchers working on vulnerability research and development at different companies and organisations. 

The attacker’s latest batch of social media profiles continue the trend of posing as fellow security researchers interested in exploitation and offensive security.  

On LinkedIn, two accounts have been identified impersonating recruiters for antivirus and security companies.  Google TAG, , said at the time that the North Korean cyber attackers had established a web of fake profiles on social media, including Twitter, Keybase, and LinkedIn.  "In order to build credibility and connect with security researchers, the actors established a research blog and multiple Twitter profiles to interact with potential targets," Google said. "They've used these Twitter profiles for posting links to their blog, posting videos of their claimed exploits, and for amplifying and retweeting posts from other accounts that they control." 

When members of the group reached out to their targets, they would ask if their intended victim wanted to collaborate on cyber security research, before sending them a malicious MS Visual Studio development tool project containing a backdoor. They might also ask researchers to visit a blog laden with malicious code including browser exploits.  

In an update the TAG's Adam Weidemann said that the state-sponsored group has now changed tactics by creating a fake offensive security company "SecuriElite"with new social media profiles and a branded website. The fake company claims to be based in Turkey offering penetration testing services, software security assessments, and exploits. 

A link to a PGP public key has been added to the website. While the inclusion of PGP is standard practice as an option for secure communication, the group has used these links in the past as a means to lure their targets into visiting a page where a browser-based exploit is waiting to deploy.  

In addition, the SecuriElite 'team' has been furnished with a fresh set of fake social media profiles. The threat actors are posing as fellow security researchers, recruiters for cybersecurity firms, and in one case, the HR director of "Trend Macro" -- not to be confused with the legitimate company Trend Micro.  

Google's team linked the North Korean group with the usage of Internet Explorer zero-day in January. The company believes that it is likely they have access to more exploits and will continue to use them in the future against legitimate security researchers.  Google says they have reported all identified social media profiles to the platforms to allow them to take appropriate action.   

Google:       Google:       ZDNet:        Microsoft

You Might Also Read: 

North Korean Hackers Have Stolen $2billion:

 

« Guilty: DeepDotWeb Owner Confesses
Iran Nuclear Plant Hit By Cyber Attack »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 8,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

Fredda Stanza

Fredda Stanza

Fredda Stanza specialize in Information Security and Forensics Consulting.

Secure Technology Alliance

Secure Technology Alliance

Secure Technology Alliance is a multi-industry association working to stimulate the adoption and widespread application of secure solutions.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

KIT is a leading research and education institutions with strong capabilities in information systems and security.

Sentropi

Sentropi

Sentropi is an online protection solution against charge backs, account takeovers, identity thefts and online scams.

Verifi

Verifi

Verifi is an award-winning provider of end-to-end payment protection and risk management solutions.

Penningtons Manches Cooper

Penningtons Manches Cooper

Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK law firm providing high quality legal advice in areas including Data Protection, Cyber Security and Cyber Crime.

CyberSecurityTrainingCourses.com

CyberSecurityTrainingCourses.com

Cyber Security Training Courses is a portal to help candidates find the best courses to progress their career within the IT security industry.

Kratikal

Kratikal

Kratikal provides a complete suite of manual and automated security testing services.

NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node

NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node

NSW Cyber Security Innovation Node is part of a national network designed to foster and accelerate cyber capability and innovation across Australia.

CyberClan

CyberClan

CyberClan’s carefully selected team of experts is capable of solving complex cyber security challenges – keeping your data secure and your businesses running as usual.

MCPc

MCPc

MCPc improves the security and well-being of our clients. We protect data, manage the complexity and sustainability of technology, empower employee performance, and ultimately reduce business risk.

Lancera

Lancera

Lancera provides growth accelerating Software Development, Web Presence and Cybersecurity Solutions with a focus on customer happiness.

CybersCool Defcon

CybersCool Defcon

CybersCool is committed to educate and train, re-skill and up-skill the current workforce of various industries and businesses in the knowledge and know-how of cybersecurity.

Vanta

Vanta

Vanta helps companies scale security practices and automate compliance for the industry’s most sought after standards - SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, and other security and privacy frameworks.

Sitehop

Sitehop

Sitehop is a cybersecurity technology company developing and supplying FPGA hardware-enforced cyber security solutions for networks.

CESAR

CESAR

CESAR is one of the premier R+D and innovation centers in Brazil and a designated Cybersecurity Competence Center.