Description
GhostSpider is a sophisticated backdoor malware employed by the Salt Typhoon hacking group, also known as Earth Estries or UNC2286. This group has been linked to cyber-espionage campaigns targeting critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and government organizations worldwide. GhostSpider operates as a modular backdoor designed for stealthy, long-term espionage.
Attack Details
GhostSpider gains access to target systems through exploits of known vulnerabilities in public-facing software like VPNs, firewalls, and mail servers. The malware employs DLL hijacking and is loaded as a service via legitimate tools such as regsvr32.exe. It uses encrypted communication over HTTPS to connect with its command-and-control (C2) servers, blending malicious traffic with legitimate activity.
The malware supports a variety of commands, including:
GhostSpider’s architecture allows attackers to adapt their tactics depending on the victim’s defenses and network configurations.
Remediation
GhostSpider represents a significant threat, underscoring the importance of proactive defenses and collaborative threat intelligence sharing to counter advanced persistent threats (APTs).
The Guyana National CIRT recommends that users and administrators review this alert and apply it where necessary.
PDF Download: GhostSpider Malware Analysis
References