Cybersecurity Alert: Fake AI Video Generation Websites Spread Malware
Rising Threat from Malicious AI Websites
In recent developments, cybersecurity firm Mandiant has uncovered a disturbing trend: fake AI video generation websites promoted through Facebook and LinkedIn ads are being used to distribute various forms of malware. This campaign started in mid-2024 and is linked to over 30 fraudulent sites impersonating legitimate AI tools like Luma AI, Kling AI, and Canva Dream Lab. Mandiant, a division of Google Cloud, is tracking the perpetrators as UNC6032, a group suspected to have origins in Vietnam.
Ad Campaigns with Massive Reach
The scale of this malicious effort is alarming, with thousands of Facebook ads garnering millions of views. Additionally, around 10 LinkedIn ads collectively amassed between 50,000 to 250,000 impressions. These ads falsely advertise free text-to-video and image-to-video capabilities, luring users into downloading a malicious executable that masquerades as an MP4 video file after interacting with the site’s features.
Connection to Previous Threats
Yash Gupta, a senior manager at Mandiant Threat Defense, clarified that this operation shares similarities with an earlier campaign dubbed “Noodlophile,” discovered by Morphisec. Gupta informed SC Media that Mandiant has observed various tactics implemented by this same group, drawing troubling parallels between their strategies.
Analyzing the Attack Chain
A detailed analysis by Mandiant revealed the multi-stage attack chain utilized by UNC6032. In one case, they employed a Rust dropper known as STARKVEIL to implement a series of Python-based payloads. The documents acquired from a site pretending to be Luma AI demonstrated how attackers cleverly employ Unicode characters to mask the true file type, tricking users into believing they had received the AI-generated video they anticipated.
Execution Techniques Designed to Deceive
The STARKVEIL dropper requires two executions to fully deploy its payload. The first attempt leads to an error window, ingeniously prompting users to retry opening the supposed video. On first execution, STARKVEIL places its files in the C:\winsystem\ directory, and during the second execution, it invokes the Python Launcher py.exe, triggering a secondary dropper named COILHATCH.
Complex Payload Mechanisms
The COILHATCH dropper effectively decodes Base85-encoded Python code employing advanced encryption techniques, combining RSA, AES, RC4, and XOR methods to decrypt a second level of Python bytecode. This secondary code executes a legitimate, digitally signed executable that facilitates the sideloading of the final launcher, heif.dll.
Establishing Backdoor Persistence
The final trio of payloads includes GRIMPULL, XWORM, and FROSTRIFT. GRIMPULL functions as a downloader, while the other two operate with reconnaissance and backdoor capabilities. GRIMPULL is embedded as avcodec-61.dll within the legitimate python.exe process, ensuring it is not running in a sandbox or virtual environment before connecting to a command-and-control (C2) server via Tor to check and download additional payloads.
Utilizing Remote Access Trojans
XWORM, a known remote access trojan (RAT) that also appeared in the Noodlophile campaign, is integrated as heif.dll into the legitimate pythonw.exe process. This malware gathers sensitive system information and transmits it to a Telegram chat. It also logs keystrokes and retrieves commands from an external C2 server, exacerbating the danger for users.
Targeting Cryptocurrency and Password Management
FROSTRIFT operates as a backdoor to perform reconnaissance on the infected machine, specifically targeting cryptocurrency wallets and browser extensions tied to password management. This reconnaissance sets the stage for future infostealing operations, notably following any guidelines set by the payloads downloaded by GRIMPULL.
Achieving Persistence with AutoRun Keys
One notable aspect of this malware is how it establishes persistence through AutoRun registry keys for both XWORM and FROSTRIFT. Mandiant has indicated that the UNC6032 campaign signifies a broader trend of cybercriminals exploiting the excitement surrounding generative AI technologies for nefarious purposes, like social engineering and malware distribution.
Impersonation of Other AI Tools
Mandiant’s findings showcased that this is not an isolated incident. Check Point Research recently reported a similar campaign impersonating Kling AI to spread the PureHVNC RAT malware. Furthermore, other large language models (LLMs) have also been targets for impersonation, notably in a malvertising effort imitating DeepSeek, as reported by Malwarebytes in March.
Advice for Users and Organizations
As these types of cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, it is essential for users and organizations to remain vigilant. Exercising caution when engaging with ads on social media platforms can substantially mitigate the risk of falling victim to such deceptive schemes.
Implementing Robust Security Measures
Investing in robust cybersecurity measures, such as advanced threat detection systems and training employees in recognizing suspicious activities, can serve as crucial defenses against these sophisticated attacks. Regular software updates and patches are equally vital in closing vulnerabilities.
Understanding the Extent of the Threat
In conclusion, the fake AI website malware campaign being executed by UNC6032 illustrates the dangers presented by advancements in generative AI technologies. As cybercriminals increasingly employ social engineering tactics to exploit this technology’s allure, awareness and education will be key components in safeguarding ourselves from these threats. Staying informed about evolving tactics and maintaining cybersecurity hygiene can effectively curtail the risks associated with these growing threats.
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