#1 Trending Cyber Security News & Magazine
Thursday, June 8, 2023
No Result
View All Result
The Cyber Express
  • MagazineDownload
  • Firewall Daily
    • All
    • Dark Web News
    • Data Breach News
    • Hacking News
    • Ransomware News
    • Vulnerabilities
    Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued

    Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued

    DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET

    Ukraine at Risk: DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET in Support of Russia

    Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla

    High Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla Fixed, Update Now!

    NoName Hacker Group

    NoName Hacker Group Sets Sights on Swiss Parliament and SSG in Cyber Assault

    Google Chromium vulnerability

    Have Your Patched This Google Chromium Vulnerability Yet?

    Operation OpSweden

    When Hackers Take the Bait: ‘Sex Championship’ Ruse Sparks Operation OpSweden

    Government Cybersecurity Preparedness

    A Tale of Two US Audits: Why Does Government Cybersecurity Preparedness Fail Miserably?

    Longhorn Cyber Attack

    Longhorn Cyber Attack Puts Data of 28000 Patients at Risk

    Thai Meteorological Department Cyber Attack

    Thai Meteorological Department Cyber Attack, LockBit Sets Deadline

    Trending Tags

    • blackbyte ransomware
    • Ransomware
    • lapsus$ ransomware
    • Apple
    • Apple vulnerability
  • Essentials
    • All
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
    • Regulations
    Martin Sloan, Five Years Of GDPR

    Five Years of GDPR: There is a Long Way to Run on Cross-Border Data Transfers

    Nokoyawa Ransomware Group

    All You Need to Know About The Nokoyawa Ransomware Group

    StopRansomware Guide

    Updated StopRansomware Guide Warns of Ransomware’s Shape Shifting Tactics

    Microsoft Entra

    Microsoft Build 2023: Microsoft Entra Introduced With New Identity and Access Features

    Data Protection Commission

    Irish Data Protection Commission imposes $1.3bn Fine on Meta

    US Police Auction Seized Cell Phones Without Wiping Data, Sparks Privacy Concerns

    US Police Auction Seized Cell Phones Without Wiping Data, Sparks Privacy Concerns

    disclosing cybersecurity incidents

    Why Victims Fail to Disclose Cybersecurity Incidents, And Why They Should

    Stakeholder Communication During Crisis

    Stakeholder Communication During Crisis: How to Get It Right

    Government Regulation of AI businesses

    Government Regulation of AI businesses: UK Competition Watchdog Launches Review

    • Regulations
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
  • Features
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Espionage
    • Workforce
      • Learning & Development
  • Business
    • All
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Press Release
    • Startups
    Billtrust Appoints Ankur Ahuja

    Billtrust Appoints Ankur Ahuja as SVP and Chief Information Security Officer

    Cybertech Africa

    Cybertech Africa: The Pan-African Event for Innovation and Networking

    IBM Acquired Polar Security

    IBM Acquires Polar Security Reportedly For $60 Million

    World CyberCon Middle East 2023

    World CyberCon Middle East 2023: The Premier Cybersecurity Conference in the Region

    ODIN by Cyble

    Cyble Launches ODIN: A Revolutionary Tool for Unparalleled Internet Exploration

    cybersecurity investments

    Cybersecurity Investments Up in April, Market Watchers Predict Growth of Over $700 billion

    OilRig APT

    Experts Warn of Increased IT Supply Chain Attacks by OilRig APT in Middle East

    World Password Day 2023

    World Password Day 2023: Protect Your Password, Create an Unbreakable One

    national cybersecurity strategy

    US National Cybersecurity Strategy: Businesses, Let’s Start with Disclosure!

    • Startups
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Research
      • Whitepapers
      • Sponsored Content
      • Market Reports
    • Interviews
      • Podcast
  • EventsCyberCon
    • World CyberCon Middle East 2023
    •  Cyber Security Webinar
    • Endorsed Events
  • ProductsTools
    • Cyble Vision
    • Cyble Hawk (LEA, Govt.)
    • Am I Breached
    • Cyble Odin (Beta)
SUBSCRIBE
  • MagazineDownload
  • Firewall Daily
    • All
    • Dark Web News
    • Data Breach News
    • Hacking News
    • Ransomware News
    • Vulnerabilities
    Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued

    Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued

    DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET

    Ukraine at Risk: DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET in Support of Russia

    Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla

    High Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla Fixed, Update Now!

    NoName Hacker Group

    NoName Hacker Group Sets Sights on Swiss Parliament and SSG in Cyber Assault

    Google Chromium vulnerability

    Have Your Patched This Google Chromium Vulnerability Yet?

    Operation OpSweden

    When Hackers Take the Bait: ‘Sex Championship’ Ruse Sparks Operation OpSweden

    Government Cybersecurity Preparedness

    A Tale of Two US Audits: Why Does Government Cybersecurity Preparedness Fail Miserably?

    Longhorn Cyber Attack

    Longhorn Cyber Attack Puts Data of 28000 Patients at Risk

    Thai Meteorological Department Cyber Attack

    Thai Meteorological Department Cyber Attack, LockBit Sets Deadline

    Trending Tags

    • blackbyte ransomware
    • Ransomware
    • lapsus$ ransomware
    • Apple
    • Apple vulnerability
  • Essentials
    • All
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
    • Regulations
    Martin Sloan, Five Years Of GDPR

    Five Years of GDPR: There is a Long Way to Run on Cross-Border Data Transfers

    Nokoyawa Ransomware Group

    All You Need to Know About The Nokoyawa Ransomware Group

    StopRansomware Guide

    Updated StopRansomware Guide Warns of Ransomware’s Shape Shifting Tactics

    Microsoft Entra

    Microsoft Build 2023: Microsoft Entra Introduced With New Identity and Access Features

    Data Protection Commission

    Irish Data Protection Commission imposes $1.3bn Fine on Meta

    US Police Auction Seized Cell Phones Without Wiping Data, Sparks Privacy Concerns

    US Police Auction Seized Cell Phones Without Wiping Data, Sparks Privacy Concerns

    disclosing cybersecurity incidents

    Why Victims Fail to Disclose Cybersecurity Incidents, And Why They Should

    Stakeholder Communication During Crisis

    Stakeholder Communication During Crisis: How to Get It Right

    Government Regulation of AI businesses

    Government Regulation of AI businesses: UK Competition Watchdog Launches Review

    • Regulations
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
  • Features
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Espionage
    • Workforce
      • Learning & Development
  • Business
    • All
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Press Release
    • Startups
    Billtrust Appoints Ankur Ahuja

    Billtrust Appoints Ankur Ahuja as SVP and Chief Information Security Officer

    Cybertech Africa

    Cybertech Africa: The Pan-African Event for Innovation and Networking

    IBM Acquired Polar Security

    IBM Acquires Polar Security Reportedly For $60 Million

    World CyberCon Middle East 2023

    World CyberCon Middle East 2023: The Premier Cybersecurity Conference in the Region

    ODIN by Cyble

    Cyble Launches ODIN: A Revolutionary Tool for Unparalleled Internet Exploration

    cybersecurity investments

    Cybersecurity Investments Up in April, Market Watchers Predict Growth of Over $700 billion

    OilRig APT

    Experts Warn of Increased IT Supply Chain Attacks by OilRig APT in Middle East

    World Password Day 2023

    World Password Day 2023: Protect Your Password, Create an Unbreakable One

    national cybersecurity strategy

    US National Cybersecurity Strategy: Businesses, Let’s Start with Disclosure!

    • Startups
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Research
      • Whitepapers
      • Sponsored Content
      • Market Reports
    • Interviews
      • Podcast
  • EventsCyberCon
    • World CyberCon Middle East 2023
    •  Cyber Security Webinar
    • Endorsed Events
  • ProductsTools
    • Cyble Vision
    • Cyble Hawk (LEA, Govt.)
    • Am I Breached
    • Cyble Odin (Beta)
No Result
View All Result
The Cyber Express
No Result
View All Result
Home Features Espionage

Operation Medusa: Russia’s Snake Malware Self Destructs, Courtesy Global Joint Action

The Snake malware was created and utilized by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) Center 16, aka Turla threat group, and is widely regarded as the most advanced of its kind

Vishwa Pandagle by Vishwa Pandagle
May 10, 2023
in Espionage, Firewall Daily
0
snake malawre
619
SHARES
3.4k
VIEWS
Share on LinkedInShare on Twitter

Snake malware, which is among Russia’s most sophisticated tools used for cyberespionage, was overwritten by a global joint action codenamed Operation Medusa.

The Snake malware was created and utilized by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Center 16, aka Turla threat group, and is widely regarded as the most advanced of its kind.

You might also like

Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued

Ukraine at Risk: DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET in Support of Russia

High Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla Fixed, Update Now!

Its primary purpose is to gather intelligence from high-value targets over extended periods, making it a highly effective tool for espionage, said an announcement by CISA USA.

The operation to dismantle Snake malware was a collaborative effort of global agencies, from the US to Australia. The countries were able to identify the command and control servers used by the malware, which allowed them to disable the malware and prevent it from operating.

“Operation MEDUSA disabled Turla’s Snake malware on compromised computers through the use of an FBI-created tool named PERSEUS, which issued commands that caused the Snake malware to overwrite its own vital components,” said a Department of Justice news release.

“The Justice Department, together with our international partners, has dismantled a global network of malware-infected computers that the Russian government has used for nearly two decades to conduct cyber-espionage, including against our NATO allies,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said of the operation disrupting the Snake malware.

Snake malware disruption

The Snake malware network was disrupted by the joint effort of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and international collaboration between government bodies.

Globally, the FSB has used Snake to collect sensitive intelligence from high-priority targets, such as government networks, research facilities, and journalists,” said the CISA announcement.

As one example, FSB actors used Snake to access and exfiltrate sensitive international relations documents, as well as other diplomatic communications, from a victim in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) country.

For almost two decades, the US Government has been investigating Snake malware and related tools. Despite being subject to multiple reports from the cybersecurity industry, Russia’s FSB Center 16 aka Turla has consistently updated and revised Snake maklware to ensure it remains their most sophisticated implant.

The Snake malware can persist on a compromised system indefinitely and is difficult to detect. It allows Turla operators to remotely deploy selected malware tools to steal sensitive information from targeted machines.

Additionally, the network of computers compromised by the Snake malware serves as a peer-to-peer network that routes exfiltrated data back to Turla operators in Russia, making it difficult to monitor or collect by Western signals intelligence services.

However, through analysis of the Snake malware and network, the FBI developed a tool called PERSEUS that can disable the malware without affecting the host computer or legitimate applications.

The FBI and its partners have also monitored the use of the Snake network to exfiltrate data from sensitive computer systems, including those operated by NATO member governments, by routing the transmission of stolen data through unwittingly Snake-compromised computers in the US.

Details about the Snake malware

The malware was developed by Ryazan-based FSB officers and its operations were launched from about 16 buildings in Moscow.

The FSB unit within Center 16 began developing Uroburos in 2003 which was completed in 2004. It was used to launch cyberattacks soon after all while it was upgraded for enhanced features.

Operation Medusa: Russia's Snake Malware Self Destructs, Courtesy Global Joint Action

The early versions of the code of Uroburos had its name used in it in unique strings including Ur0bUr()sGoTyOu#.

The image shown above was used by the developers of the malware which is a part of the historical illustration of an Uroboros by the German philosopher Jakob Böhme.

Uroboros is a circular symbol with a snake or a dragon at the rim that is shown swallowing its own tail. Uroburos turned to the present-day Snake malware. Snake is written in C programming languages alone.

Operation Medusa: How Snake malware was disrupted by the FBI

Snake Malware
Joint Operation called Medusa to hunt the ‘Snake’ malware (Photo: Jen Easterly/ Twitter)

“A tool like Snake requires more familiarity and expertise to use correctly, and in several instances Snake operators neglected to use it as designed,” an Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) news release said.

The Snake malware was disrupted mainly because of the ease of tracking it due to the excessive errors made in its development and operations.

The Diffie-Hellman key set made by the Snake malware was not secure because it was too short, the news release read.

Researchers found several function names, cleartext strings, and developer comments during the Medusa operation.

Turla used the Snake malware to steal sensitive data from targets belonging to over 50 NATO countries, and journalists among others. The stolen data was exfiltrated through a covert network of devices in the U.S. and other nations.

Although Operation MEDUSA disabled the Snake malware on compromised computers, victims should take additional steps to protect themselves from further harm,” the DoJ press released cautioned.

The operation to disable Snake did not patch any vulnerabilities or search for or remove any additional malware or hacking tools that hacking groups may have placed on victim.

“We strongly encourage organizations to read the technical information about Snake malware and implement the mitigations to help detect and defend against this advanced threat,” Paul Chichester Director of Operations at NCSC UK, said in a press release.

Share this:

  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Tags: cyber espionageFBI Operation MedusaFBI PerseusFederal Security Service RussiaRussian Center 16Snake malwareThe Cyber ExpressThe Cyber Express NewsTurla Center 16
Previous Post

Cambodia Angkor Air Cyber Attack: ‘Host Kill Crew Hackers’ Claims Responsibility

Next Post

Microsoft May 2023 Patch Update Fixes Critical Vulnerabilities

Vishwa Pandagle

Vishwa Pandagle

Vishwa Pandagle is a Technical Writer at The Cyber Express. She writes cybersecurity news related to data breaches, ransomware, phishing, and best practices among others. She also writes about cybersecurity developments and likes interacting with experts in this field. When not working, she likes self-reflecting, meditating, volunteering, and going for long walks.

Related Posts

Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued
Firewall Daily

Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued

by Vishwa Pandagle
June 8, 2023
DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET
Dark Web News

Ukraine at Risk: DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET in Support of Russia

by Ashish Khaitan
June 8, 2023
Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla
Firewall Daily

High Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla Fixed, Update Now!

by Vishwa Pandagle
June 8, 2023
NoName Hacker Group
Firewall Daily

NoName Hacker Group Sets Sights on Swiss Parliament and SSG in Cyber Assault

by Ashish Khaitan
June 8, 2023
Google Chromium vulnerability
Firewall Daily

Have Your Patched This Google Chromium Vulnerability Yet?

by Editorial
June 8, 2023
Next Post
Microsoft May 2023 Patch

Microsoft May 2023 Patch Update Fixes Critical Vulnerabilities

Latest Issue is Out. Subscribe Now

Cyber express

CRIL


Follow Us On Google News

Never miss an update. Subscribe!

* indicates required

mailchimp

Latest Cyber News

Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued
Firewall Daily

Critical Vulnerabilities in VMware Aria Operations for Networks Spotted; Patch Issued

June 8, 2023
DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET
Dark Web News

Ukraine at Risk: DEVILS SEC Joins KILLNET in Support of Russia

June 8, 2023
Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla
Firewall Daily

High Severity Vulnerabilities in Mozilla Fixed, Update Now!

June 8, 2023
NoName Hacker Group
Firewall Daily

NoName Hacker Group Sets Sights on Swiss Parliament and SSG in Cyber Assault

June 8, 2023

Categories

Web Stories

Top 10 CISOs to Follow in 2023
Top 10 CISOs to Follow in 2023
Top 10 Ransomware Gangs in 2023
Top 10 Ransomware Gangs in 2023
Top 5 IoT Security Risks in 2023
Top 5 IoT Security Risks in 2023
Top 10 CTF Platforms in 2023
Top 10 CTF Platforms in 2023
Types of Risks Covered by Cyber Insurance
Types of Risks Covered by Cyber Insurance

About

The Cyber Express by Cyble

#1 Trending Cyber Security News and Magazine

The Cyber Express  by Cyble is a handbook for all stakeholders of the internet that provides information security professionals with the latest news, updates and knowledge they need to combat cyber threats.

 

Contact

For editorial queries: [email protected]

For marketing and Sales: [email protected]

For Events & Conferences related information: [email protected]

 

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Calendar

Our Address

We’re remote friendly, with office locations around the world:

San Francisco, Atlanta, Rome,
Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad,  Singapore, Jakarta, Sydney, and Melbourne

 

Headquarters:

The Cyber Express LLC
555 North Point Center E
Alpharetta, GA 30022, USA.

 

India Office:

Cyber Express Media Network
HD-021, 4th Floor, C Wing, Building No.4. Nesco IT Park, WE Highway, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – 4000063

Subscribe to Our Feed

RSS Feeds

Follow Us On Google News
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Write For Us

© 2022 The Cyber Express (Cyber Security News and Magazine) | By Cyble Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Magazine
  • Firewall Daily
  • Essentials
    • Regulations
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
  • Features
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Espionage
    • Workforce
      • Learning & Development
  • Business
    • Startups
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Research
      • Whitepapers
      • Sponsored Content
      • Market Reports
    • Interviews
      • Podcast
  • Events
    • World CyberCon Middle East 2023
    •  Cyber Security Webinar
    • Endorsed Events
  • Products
    • Cyble Vision
    • Cyble Hawk (LEA, Govt.)
    • Am I Breached
    • Cyble Odin (Beta)

© 2022 The Cyber Express (Cyber Security News and Magazine) | By Cyble Inc.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Top 10 CISOs to Follow in 2023 Top 10 Ransomware Gangs in 2023 Top 5 IoT Security Risks in 2023 Top 10 CTF Platforms in 2023 Types of Risks Covered by Cyber Insurance