Infostealer Malware
Infostealer malware is malicious software designed to steal sensitive information from infected computer systems or devices.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Primary Function: The core purpose of infostealer malware is to gather and exfiltrate confidential data without the user's knowledge or consent.
Targeted Information: Infostealers target a wide range of sensitive data, including but not limited to:
Usernames and passwords (credentials) for various accounts and services.
Web browsers can use cookies to gain unauthorized access to online accounts.
Financial information includes credit card numbers, banking details, and cryptocurrency wallet information.
Personally identifiable information (PII) includes names, addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers.
Web browsing history and stored form data.
Files and documents are stored in the infected system.
API keys, access tokens, and other authentication credentials.
Infection and Distribution: Infostealers can infect systems through various methods, including:
Phishing emails that trick users into clicking malicious links or opening infected attachments.
Malicious websites or drive-by downloads.
Software vulnerabilities that allow attackers to install malware.
Other malware that acts as a dropper for infostealers.
Operation: Once a system is infected, the infostealer operates covertly, often employing techniques to evade detection by antivirus software. It gathers the targeted information and then transmits it to a remote server controlled by the attacker.
Impact: Infostealer infections can have severe consequences, including:
Account takeovers and identity theft.
Financial fraud and losses.
Data breaches and exposure of sensitive information.
Further malware infections.
How ThreatNG Helps Combat Infostealer Malware
ThreatNG's capabilities provide a multi-faceted approach to defend against infostealer malware proactively:
ThreatNG performs external discovery to identify potential entry points that infostealers might exploit. By mapping an organization's external attack surface, ThreatNG helps reduce the number of places infostealers can try to gain access.
For example, ThreatNG discovers subdomains and mobile apps, which can be vectors for infostealer distribution or targets for credential theft.
ThreatNG's assessments directly address key infostealer tactics:
Compromised Credential Detection: ThreatNG monitors the dark web for compromised credentials, a primary target of infostealers. This allows organizations to identify and respond to exposed credentials before they can be used for account takeovers or further attacks.
Phishing Susceptibility: ThreatNG assesses susceptibility to phishing, a standard method for infostealer distribution. ThreatNG provides insights into an organization's vulnerability to phishing attacks by analyzing factors like domain intelligence and dark web presence.
Code Secret Exposure: ThreatNG discovers exposed credentials within code repositories. Infostealers often target credentials and API keys, and ThreatNG helps organizations find and secure these exposed secrets.
Mobile App Exposure: ThreatNG discovers and analyzes mobile apps for embedded credentials and other sensitive information that infostealers could target.
ThreatNG provides reports highlighting potential infostealer risks, such as exposed credentials, vulnerabilities, and phishing susceptibility. These reports give organizations actionable information to improve their defenses.
ThreatNG's continuous monitoring of the external attack surface and digital risk helps organizations avoid infostealer threats. This ongoing monitoring allows for the timely detection of new exposures or vulnerabilities that infostealers could exploit.
ThreatNG's investigation modules provide detailed information relevant to infostealer defense:
Domain Intelligence: Provides insights into potential phishing attacks through email intelligence and domain name permutations.
Sensitive Code Exposure: Helps discover exposed credentials and secrets in code repositories.
ThreatNG uses intelligence repositories, including dark web data and compromised credentials, which are essential for detecting and mitigating infostealer threats.
Working with Complementary Solutions:
ThreatNG's capabilities can work with other security tools to provide a more comprehensive defense against infostealers:
SIEM Systems: ThreatNG can provide data on compromised credentials and other infostealer-related findings to SIEM systems for centralized analysis and alerting.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) Systems: ThreatNG's detection of exposed credentials can trigger actions in IAM systems, such as password resets or MFA enforcement.
