Analyzing Operation GhostSecret: Attack Seeks to Steal Data Worldwide

2018-04-24 • Mcafee •

https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/analyzing-operation-ghostsecret-attack-seeks-to-steal-data-worldwide/

McAfee attributed Operation GhostSecret with high confidence to Hidden Cobra and described a global data-reconnaissance campaign affecting sectors including critical infrastructure, entertainment, finance, health care, telecommunications, and higher education. The campaign used multiple implants, including a Destover-like variant, Bankshot-related functionality, and the previously undocumented Proxysvc component, with code and PE rich-header overlaps linking them to earlier Hidden Cobra tooling. The Destover-like implant used FakeTLS over port 443 with PolarSSL and control-server traffic similar to Backdoor.Escad, while Proxysvc acted as a covert SSL listener that could support additional implants or infrastructure. Infrastructure findings included active control servers, reused SSL certificates, and ties to servers associated with earlier Sony Pictures-related activity, making the campaign significant for tracking long-lived DPRK-linked tooling and infrastructure reuse.

Indicators of Compromise

Type Value First Seen Last Seen
HASH 453d8bd3e2069bc50703eb4c5d278aa… 2018-04-24 2026-04-03
HASH 45e68dce0f75353c448865b9abafbef… 2018-04-24 2023-02-23
HASH 05a567fe3f7c22a0ef78cc39dcf2d9f… 2018-04-24 2020-03-09
HASH ae65288f5c96b4656402853b14acd1d… 2018-04-24 2020-03-09
IPv4 14.140.116.172 2018-04-24 2020-02-25
HASH d0cb9b2d4809575e1bc1f4657e0eb56… 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
HASH bebf6266e765f7a0eefcde7c51507cc… 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 121.240.155.78 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 203.131.222.83 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 121.240.155.77 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 223.30.98.170 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 223.30.98.169 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 203.131.222.109 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 121.240.155.76 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 121.240.155.74 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 193.248.247.59 2018-04-24 2018-04-24
IPv4 196.4.67.45 2018-04-24 2018-04-24

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