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MintsLoader, a malicious loader first identified in 2024, has quickly garnered attention due to its advanced evasion methods and its role in delivering various payloads, including StealC and a modified BOINC client. The malware operates through a multi-stage infection chain, leveraging obfuscated scripts and employing a range of tactics to evade detection. From phishing lures to sophisticated command-and-control (C2) systems, MintsLoader represents a significant threat to industries worldwide.
MintsLoader’s Complex Infection Chain
Recorded Future researchers have identified MintsLoader as a malware loader that uses heavily obfuscated JavaScript and PowerShell scripts to facilitate its attack chain. The first stage of the attack typically begins with phishing emails, fake browser updates, or invoice lures. These phishing attempts often exploit trusted channels like Italy’s PEC email system to target unsuspecting victims.
Once the victim interacts with the malicious content, the first stage of the infection activates, executing a PowerShell command that fetches the next stage of the malware. The infection chain is designed to bypass traditional security measures, using techniques like sandbox detection, virtual machine evasion, and obfuscation to avoid detection by common security systems.
The second stage involves the download of a PowerShell script from a remote C2 server. This script contains Base64-encoded payloads, which are decoded, decompressed, and executed on the victim’s machine. The script checks various system parameters like virtual machine presence, system memory, and cache to determine if the system is in a controlled environment. If the checks pass, MintsLoader fetches more advanced malware, such as GhostWeaver, a PowerShell-based remote access tool (RAT) that provides attackers with extensive control over the infected machine.
In cases where the system fails these checks, a decoy malware, such as AsyncRAT, is delivered instead, further complicating threat detection and analysis.
What Undercode Says:
MintsLoader is an excellent example of modern malware sophistication. Its multi-layered infection approach, combined with various evasion techniques, makes it particularly challenging for traditional security measures to detect. The use of obfuscated JavaScript and PowerShell scripts is an indication of the growing complexity in malware development, where attackers continuously refine their methods to bypass detection.
Furthermore, the switch from relying on anonymous virtual private server (VPS) providers to more stable, traditional bulletproof hosts signals a shift in the operational strategy of cybercriminals. This evolution shows that MintsLoader’s operators are focused on ensuring their infrastructure’s resilience against takedown attempts and law enforcement actions.
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In addition to its operational sophistication, MintsLoader also demonstrates the importance of phishing in modern cyberattacks. The exploitation of trusted communication channels, like fake browser updates or invoice emails, underlines the growing threat posed by social engineering in cybercrime. Attackers are becoming increasingly adept at crafting realistic lures to convince users to execute malicious code.
Finally, the observation that MintsLoader primarily targets critical sectors such as energy, oil, gas, and legal industries in both the U.S. and Europe reflects the broader strategic goals of these cybercriminal groups. By infiltrating key industries, attackers gain access to valuable data and intellectual property, increasing the potential payoff for successful attacks.
Fact Checker Results:
- MintsLoader continues to evolve with sophisticated obfuscation methods and C2 techniques that make detection more difficult.
- The use of bulletproof hosts and dynamic domain generation helps MintsLoader maintain persistence even in the face of takedown efforts.
- Phishing remains a dominant technique in the malware’s distribution, targeting a wide array of industries, including energy and legal sectors.
Prediction:
As MintsLoader continues to evolve, its use of advanced obfuscation techniques and highly adaptable infection chains will likely increase its prevalence in targeted attacks. Organizations will need to bolster their defenses with more advanced threat detection systems capable of identifying and counteracting complex obfuscation and evasion strategies. Given the shift towards bulletproof hosts and domain generation algorithms, it is possible that MintsLoader’s operators will expand their infrastructure to further insulate themselves from law enforcement efforts. As a result, businesses in critical industries should remain vigilant and proactive in implementing robust cybersecurity measures to guard against such sophisticated threats.
References:
Reported By: securityaffairs.com
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