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The battle for dominance in the cybercrime ecosystem has taken an unexpected turn. Once the leader in credential theft, the LummaC2 malware has been knocked down by law enforcement operations, while a new contender, Acreed, is rapidly rising to prominence in the world of infostealers. This shift is reshaping the landscape of data theft, with significant implications for cybercrime operations and cybersecurity efforts globally.
The Rise and Fall of LummaC2
LummaC2, a notorious infostealer, was once a leading player in credential theft activities, particularly in the Russian Market, where it dominated by accounting for 92% of the credential theft logs. This malware variant had been actively used by various cybercriminal organizations, including notorious ransomware gangs and hackers, since its discovery in 2022. Its distribution tactics were widespread, ranging from leveraging YouTube channels to using open-source platforms like GitHub and MediaFire for evading web filters.
However, the landscape changed dramatically in May 2025 after a concerted international law enforcement effort dismantled much of the LummaC2 operation. The authorities seized key domains associated with Lumma and took down a significant portion of its infrastructure. Despite these efforts, Check Point Research reports that Lumma’s servers remain operational, and stolen data attributed to the malware continues to grow.
One of the more inventive tactics employed by Lumma involved using fake captcha pages to trick victims into downloading the malware. This, along with the malwareās ability to steal a wide range of sensitive data, made Lumma a staple in various cybercrimes, including business email compromise (BEC) fraud and ransomware attacks.
While the takedown may have damaged Lummaās reputation, the malware’s developers are reportedly working hard to bring their operation back online. There are differing opinions in the cybersecurity community on whether this revival is feasible. Some believe Lumma will be forced to operate privately, while others think the takedown won’t have any lasting impact.
The Emergence of Acreed
As Lummaās grip on the Russian Market weakens, a new malware strain, Acreed, has stepped into the spotlight. Since its appearance in early 2025, Acreed has quickly overtaken established stealers like Raccoon, Vidar, and StealC in credential theft operations. According to ReliaQuest, Acreed has surpassed Lumma in credential theft logs on the Russian Market. In fact, it accounted for over 4,000 logs within its first week of operation.
Acreed shares similarities with its predecessors, such as stealing cookies, passwords, and crypto-wallet data. However, it has a unique twist. It outputs a JSON file detailing the quantity of files gathered from each type of theft, making it more sophisticated than many other infostealers. This level of transparency gives cybercriminals a clear overview of their gains, which is a rare feature among most stealers.
Acreed’s rapid rise in the cybercrime ecosystem signals a shift in the types of tools criminals are using to steal credentials. While it may not yet be as established as Lumma, Acreedās swift adoption by cybercriminals shows that it is poised to become a dominant force in credential theft and other cybercrimes.
What Undercode Say:
The cybercrime landscape is constantly evolving, with new malware strains like Acreed rapidly filling the void left by the fall of older players like LummaC2. Whatās particularly interesting about this shift is the adaptability of cybercriminals to law enforcement actions. While it may seem like a victory that Lumma has been weakened, the rise of Acreed demonstrates that the world of infostealers is far from being slowed down.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this shift in malware dominance underscores the growing sophistication of cybercriminal operations. Acreedās transparency in its theft activities via the JSON output file shows a new level of organization within these cybercrime groups. Not only do they steal data, but they also have detailed logs of their exploits, which they can leverage to improve future operations.
For cybersecurity experts and companies, this is a wake-up call. The threat of infostealers isnāt going anywhere, and the tools used in cybercrimes are becoming increasingly advanced. The introduction of Acreed into the market could very well mean that the fight against credential theft and other cybercrimes is entering a more complex phase.
Fact Checker Results š§
- The seizure of LummaC2ās infrastructure has definitely impacted its operations, but itās far from gone.
- Acreed has already surpassed other notable malware strains in credential theft activities.
- The continuous adaptation of cybercriminals to law enforcement operations highlights the challenges in countering malware.
Prediction š®
The rise of Acreed may signify a new era in infostealer operations, with more sophisticated, organized attacks on the horizon. As law enforcement cracks down on older strains like Lumma, newer and more efficient malware, like Acreed, will likely continue to evolve and dominate the scene. As cybercriminals refine their tactics, itās essential for organizations to stay ahead of the curve with updated security measures and proactive defense strategies.
References:
Reported By: www.darkreading.com
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