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Kaiten malware returns, more powerful says ESET
Tue, 5th Apr 2016
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Researchers at ESET have discovered an improved version of Kaiten, an Internet Relay Chat (IRC)-controlled malware typically used to carry out distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

The digital security firm says the latest version targets embedded systems such as routers, gateways and wireless access points.

The remastered malware has been dubbed “KTN-Remastered” or “KTN-RM”, with three versions of Linux/Remaiten already identified by ESET researchers. Based on artifacts in the code, the main feature of the malware is an improved spreading mechanism.

Based primarily on Linux/Gafgyt's telnet scanning, KTN-RM improves on that spreading mechanism by carrying downloader executable binaries for embedded platforms such as routers and other connected devices, ESET says, targeting mainly those with weak login credentials.

According to ESET, Linux/Remaiten improves upon this spreading mechanism by carrying downloader executables for CPU architectures that are commonly used in embedded Linux devices such as ARM and MIPS.

After logging on via the telnet prompt of the victim‘s device, it tries to determine the new victim‘s device platform and transfer only the appropriate downloader. This downloader's job is to request the architecture-appropriate Linux/Remaiten bot binary from the bot's C-C server. This binary is then executed on the new victim‘s device, creating another bot for the malicious operators to use.

“The downloader‘s job is to request the Linux/Remaiten bot binary from the Command - Control server for its current architecture. When executed, it also creates another bot for the malicious operators to use. We have seen this technique used before by Linux/Moose to spread infections,“ explains Michal Malík, ESET malware researcher.

In a strange twist, this strain of malware also has a message for those who might try to neutralise its threat, Malík says.

"Within the welcome message, version 2.0 seems to single out malwaremustdie.org which has published extensive details about Gafgyt, Tsunami and other members of this family of malware," he explains.

How to prevent and protect against this threat:

  • Change default passwords on network equipment even if it is not reachable from the Internet. Disable Telnet login and use SSH where possible
  • Run the latest firmware available from your embedded device vendor
  • Have an updated and appropriate anti-malware protection
  • Be aware of the malware threat and what it does to devices
  • If your computer is infected, it might be used to infect others
  • Always have a copy of your data. In case of infection, this will help you recover all of your information
  • If infected, the computer needs to be taken offline and cleaned as quickly as possible
  • If infected, reboot the affected device then change its password as soon as possible. However, the attackers may have had manual access so further infection may have happened. In that case, a factory reset, firmware update or reinstall and password change is probably best