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Introduction
Cybercriminals have brought back a notorious threat — the Grandoreiro banking trojan — with a new level of sophistication. This malware, previously known for targeting banking users, has been re-engineered and is now being deployed in widespread phishing campaigns across Latin America and Europe. A recent investigation by Forcepoint X-Labs reveals that these attacks are becoming harder to detect, leveraging advanced obfuscation, legitimate-looking infrastructure, and cloud services to deceive victims. Here’s everything you need to know.
the Threat: Grandoreiro 2.0
- Targeted Regions: Primarily Latin America (Mexico, Argentina) and parts of Europe (Spain).
- Disguise: Phishing emails impersonating national tax agencies with messages about tax penalties.
- Language: Emails are written in native Spanish to increase authenticity.
- Hosting Abuse: Attackers use virtual private servers (VPS) like Contabo to host malicious content.
- Dynamic Infrastructure: New subdomains are constantly generated (e.g.,
vmi2500240.contaboserver.net) to avoid blacklisting. - Delivery Method: Emails contain a “Download PDF” link, leading to a zip file hosted on cloud platforms like Mediafire.
– Malware Chain:
- Zip file contains a Visual Basic Script (VBS), often obfuscated or password-protected.
- The script decodes a Base64 payload, extracting a secondary zip with a
.exefile. - This executable is masked with a PDF icon and shows a fake Adobe error upon execution.
- In the background, it contacts Command-and-Control (C2) servers using custom protocols.
– Payload Behavior:
– Steals browser credentials and personal data.
- Scans for cryptocurrency files in directories like
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bitcoin. - Collects system information (e.g., machine name, GUID, user language).
- Connects to suspicious IPs over uncommon ports (e.g.,
18.212.216.95:42195).
– Technical Indicators:
– C2 IPs: `98.81.92.194:30154`, `18.212.216.95:42195`
– Sample hashes:
– EXE: `7ED66D3FE441216D7DD85DDA1A780C4404D8D8AF`
– ZIP: `9D767A9830894B210C980F3ECF8494A1B1D3C813`
– VBS: `0372A8BB0B04927E866C50BEF993CDA8E2B8521D`
– Mitigation:
- Organizations using Forcepoint solutions are shielded via URL filtering, dropper detection, and C2 blocking.
- Cloud-based analytics and file reputation services enhance response capabilities.
What Undercode Say: An In-Depth Look
From a cyber-analytical perspective,
1. Cloud Exploitation is the New Norm
Hosting malware on reputable platforms like Mediafire or using VPS providers such as Contabo isn’t just a coincidence — it’s a tactic. These services offer low scrutiny, scalability, and flexible infrastructure, making them ideal for cybercrime.
2. Localized Social Engineering
These phishing campaigns aren’t generic. They’re tailored by language, country, and even the institution being impersonated. This localization drastically increases success rates, particularly in regions where digital literacy around scams remains inconsistent.
3. Dynamic Infrastructure = Detection Nightmare
By rotating subdomains and IPs regularly, the attackers are essentially creating a moving target. This dynamic behavior renders many traditional blacklist approaches ineffective.
4. File Obfuscation Techniques Have Evolved
The use of heavily scrambled VBS scripts, password-protected payloads, and misleading file icons shows a clear intent to bypass automated security scanners and human intuition.
5. Blended Threat Vectors
Combining social engineering, cloud infrastructure abuse, scripting, and backdoor deployment into one cohesive attack is a hallmark of modern APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) tactics — and Grandoreiro fits the bill.
6. Cryptocurrency Targeting Is Telling
The malware’s behavior to search Bitcoin directories implies the actors are not only after bank credentials but also digital assets, suggesting a broader monetization strategy.
7. Low and Slow Persistence
With a C2 infrastructure that quietly exfiltrates data via obscure ports, this malware favors stealth over noise. The fake Adobe pop-up is just enough of a distraction to keep the victim unaware of what’s happening in the background.
8. Underground Market Links
Malware like Grandoreiro is often modular, sold or shared on dark web forums. Its continuous evolution and adaptability hint at an active developer community or an organized cybercrime group behind it.
9. VPS Providers in the Spotlight
As more malware actors leverage VPS providers, especially budget-friendly ones, the cybersecurity industry may need to push for tighter KYC (Know Your Customer) controls on such platforms.
10. The Real Cost: Trust Erosion
When tax agencies and financial institutions are spoofed in these ways, it damages public trust — not just in digital communication, but in legitimate entities themselves.
In essence, Grandoreiro is not just back — it’s smarter, faster, and harder to stop.
Fact Checker Results
✅ Claim Verified: Grandoreiro is active and spreading in Latin America and Europe.
✅ Technical Validation: Hashes, C2 IPs, and attack flow match independent threat intelligence feeds.
✅ Tactic Confirmation: The use of Contabo servers and Mediafire links has been consistently observed in live campaigns.
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References:
Reported By: cyberpress.org
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