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The Rise of Weaponized Repositories on GitHub
Cybersecurity analysts are sounding the alarm on a rapidly escalating threat: malicious actors using GitHub as a malware distribution platform. A new campaign, codenamed Banana Squad by ReversingLabs, has exposed more than 67 GitHub repositories falsely advertised as Python hacking tools. Instead of delivering promised utilities, these repositories hide trojanized payloads designed to steal data and compromise systems.
This campaign is a continuation of earlier efforts discovered in 2023, where threat actors targeted the Python Package Index (PyPI) with fake packages that were downloaded more than 75,000 times. These malicious packages embedded info-stealers specifically targeting Windows users.
In November 2024, the SANS Internet Storm Center identified a GitHub-hosted tool disguised as a āsteam-account-checkerā that secretly downloaded additional malware. This tool injected code into the Exodus crypto wallet, exfiltrating sensitive data to an attacker-controlled domain (dieserbenni[.]ru). Further investigation revealed the attacker operated 67 cloned repositories, mimicking real open-source projects, including tools related to Discord, Fortnite, TikTok, and PayPal.
All these malicious repositories have since been removed by GitHub. Yet, the implications are far-reaching. According to ReversingLabs researcher Robert Simmons, backdoors and trojanized code in public repositories are becoming an emerging software supply chain threat, putting millions of developers and users at risk.
Adding to the concern, cybersecurity firms like Trend Micro, Check Point, and Sophos have observed similar tactics by other threat groups such as Water Curse and the Stargazers Ghost Network. These actors operate dozens of accounts, using fake stars, forks, and subscriptions to manipulate GitHubās algorithm, pushing their malware-laden repositories to the top of search results.
These repositories often masquerade as tools tied to gaming cheats, cryptocurrency trackers, or crash-betting prediction bots. Once downloaded, the malicious payloads deploy Remote Access Trojans (RATs) like AsyncRAT, Remcos, and Lumma Stealer, capable of stealing browser data, session tokens, and even taking remote control of the infected systems.
In one alarming case, the Sakura-RAT project infected developers compiling the code, turning the hunter into the hunted. Sophos reports this widespread threat has already backdoored 133 repositories, embedding malicious code in Visual Studio events, Python scripts, screensaver files, and JavaScript.
These activities are believed to be linked to Distribution-as-a-Service (DaaS) operations active since August 2022, using GitHub, Discord servers, and YouTube videos to distribute malware under the guise of gaming tools and exploits.
With GitHub turning into a prime attack surface, the line between open-source collaboration and cybercrime continues to blur, especially for amateur hackers and gamers seeking shady tools who end up as unknowing victims themselves.
š§ What Undercode Say:
Open-Source as an Attack Vector
Undercode’s analysis points to a dangerous evolution in the threat landscape, where trust in open-source platforms is actively being exploited. GitHub, once a hub for innovation and sharing, is becoming a preferred vehicle for malware distribution, offering wide reach and perceived legitimacy.
Exploiting Human Behavior
The threat actors behind Banana Squad and similar campaigns understand the psychology of their targets. By disguising malicious payloads as tools for game cheats, account hacks, or crypto wallets, they attract novice hackers and curious users, who are less likely to scrutinize the source code or repository reputation.
This not only compromises individual users but introduces malicious code into broader ecosystems when these tools are integrated into larger projects or shared within communities.
The Marketing of Malware
These groups leverage sophisticated social engineering tacticsāfrom fake GitHub stars to Discord and YouTube promotionāto make their repositories look genuine. This method of algorithm manipulation is essentially malware SEO, pushing bad code to the top while evading initial detection.
Sophisticated Payloads
Unlike one-dimensional attacks of the past, todayās GitHub-based malware is modular and dynamic. Payloads can steal credentials, capture screenshots, communicate via Telegram, and download additional malicious modules. This flexibility makes remediation harder and detection more complex.
Supply Chain Compromise in the Making
As developers unknowingly include backdoored code in their projects, the ripple effects can reach entire organizations. This is the textbook definition of a supply chain attackāinfiltrating trusted software with hidden threats that propagate downstream.
The Emerging Business Model: DaaS
The rise of Distribution-as-a-Service (DaaS) lowers the barrier for cybercriminal entry. Instead of writing their own malware, low-level actors can now purchase access to infected repositories, gaining instant reach. This model commodifies malware deployment and spreads responsibility across a wider network, making attribution difficult.
The Future Risk Landscape
While current targets are mostly amateur hackers and gamers, itās only a matter of time before these tactics are used to target dev teams in fintech, healthcare, or even critical infrastructure. The GitHub ecosystem must brace for larger, more devastating waves of weaponized code.
ā Fact Checker Results:
GitHub removed all 67 malicious repositories related to Banana Squad.
Trojanized packages on PyPI and GitHub have been downloaded over 75,000 times.
Multiple cybersecurity firms (Sophos, Trend Micro, Check Point) independently confirmed similar tactics across other campaigns.
š® Prediction:
As open-source software becomes even more central to the software industry, attacks via GitHub repositories will surge. Threat actors will likely extend their focus beyond gaming and amateur hacking tools, aiming instead at business-critical open-source libraries, DevOps scripts, and containerized applications. Expect more AI-assisted malware, fake contributors, and automated GitHub botnets in the near future. Developers must adopt zero-trust principles and leverage software composition analysis (SCA) tools to defend their codebases.
References:
Reported By: thehackernews.com
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