#FactCheck - Manipulated Image Alleging Disrespect Towards PM Circulates Online

Introduction:

With improved capabilities and evasion strategies, the Vultur banking Trojan has reappeared and is a serious danger to Android users. The virus now employs numerous encrypted payloads, encrypted communication, and poses as legitimate apps. It is transmitted by trojanized dropper programs on the Google Play Store. Vultur targets victims via phone calls and SMS messages. With the help of this updated version of Vultur, attackers may take total control of compromised devices. They can perform a variety of remote control operations like install, remove, upload, and download files, halt the execution of programs, and circumvent the lock screen. The virus is now far more hazardous than it was previously because of its improved capacity to remotely access and manipulate machines.

Overview: 

The Android banking malware Vultur is well-known for its ability to record screens. It was first identified by ThreatFabric in March 2021 and targets banking apps for remote control and keylogging.

The malicious apps were hosted on the Google Play Store by the Brunhilda dropper-framework, which was used for its distribution. Initial versions of the program used reputable remote access tools such as ngrok and AlphaVNC.

Hybrid attacks have been used in recent operations to disseminate the Brunhilda dropper via phone calls and SMS. The dropper uses a number of payloads to distribute an upgraded version of Vultur.

41 new Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) commands and seven new Command-and-Control (C2) methods are included in the most recent version of Vultur. 

With the help of Android's Accessibility Services, these enhancements concentrate on remote access functionality that improves the malware's capacity to communicate with the victim's screen.

Modus operandi of Attack:

Hybrid Attack Method:

• Utilizes a phone call, two SMS messages, and trick users into installing malware.

• First SMS tricks victims into calling a certain number by claiming to have made significant, unlawful transactions, which gives the impression of urgency.

• Although there was no transaction in reality, the urgency motivates victims to act quickly.

Trozonized MacAfee App:

• The victims are told to install a trojanized version of the McAfee Security program from a given link during the phone call.

• This app looks harmless and has features similar to the original McAfee Security app, but it's actually the Brunhilda dropper.

• The victims are misled into assuming that the security software they are installing is authentic.

Execution of Vultur Payloads:

• Three payloads connected to Vultur are decrypted and executed via the Brunhilda dropper.

• Threat actors can carry out a variety of malicious operations, including keylogging and screen recording, on the victim's mobile device thanks to these payloads, which grant them total access over it.

• The infected device of the victim allows the threat actors to launch additional assaults or obtain private data.

Indication of the attack:

The symptoms of a Vultur banking Trojan infection include:

• Remote Access: This malware gives the hacker the ability to remotely use the infected device via clicking, scrolling, and swiping through Android's accessibility services.

• File Management: Through this, the malware is able to copy, share, remove, create, and locate files from devices it has infected.

• App Blocking: For instance; the malicious software can be programmed to stop the victims from opening a certain bunch of apps.

• Custom Notifications: Attackers can embed the malware with the functionality of displaying the customized notifications in the taskbar.

• Keyguard Disabling: The malware may be designed to turn off Screen Lock Guard feature so the lock screen security measure can be easily bypassed.

• Encrypted C2 Communication: The malware chooses AES data encryption, with Base64 text encoding to provide hidden traces for C2 communication.

• Payload Decryption: The malware uses native code, mostly written in C as well as C++, to decode the goods, thus, making a process of reversing more complicated.

• Spying on Financial Apps: The malware uses screen-streaming and keylogging as ways of acquiring facts about the victim’s mobile banking applications.

Indicator of Compromise:

File hash (SHA-256)

• edef007f1ca60fdf75a7d5c5ffe09f1fc3fb560153633ec18c5ddb46cc75ea21
• 89625cf2caed9028b41121c4589d9e35fa7981a2381aa293d4979b36cf5c8ff2
• 1fc81b03703d64339d1417a079720bf0480fece3d017c303d88d18c70c7aabc3
• 4fed4a42aadea8b3e937856318f9fbd056e2f46c19a6316df0660921dd5ba6c5
• 001fd4af41df8883957c515703e9b6b08e36fde3fd1d127b283ee75a32d575fc
• fc8c69bddd40a24d6d28fbf0c0d43a1a57067b19e6c3cc07e2664ef4879c221b
• 7337a79d832a57531b20b09c2fc17b4257a6d4e93fcaeb961eb7c6a95b071a06
• 7f1a344d8141e75c69a3c5cf61197f1d4b5038053fd777a68589ecdb29168e0c
• 26f9e19c2a82d2ed4d940c2ec535ff2aba8583ae3867502899a7790fe3628400
• 2a97ed20f1ae2ea5ef2b162d61279b2f9b68eba7cf27920e2a82a115fd68e31f
• c0f3cb3d837d39aa3abccada0b4ecdb840621a8539519c104b27e2a646d7d50d
• 92af567452ecd02e48a2ebc762a318ce526ab28e192e89407cac9df3c317e78d
• fa6111216966a98561a2af9e4ac97db036bcd551635be5b230995faad40b7607
• dc4f24f07d99e4e34d1f50de0535f88ea52cc62bfb520452bdd730b94d6d8c0e
• 627529bb010b98511cfa1ad1aaa08760b158f4733e2bbccfd54050838c7b7fa3
• f5ce27a49eaf59292f11af07851383e7d721a4d60019f3aceb8ca914259056af
• 5d86c9afd1d33e4affa9ba61225aded26ecaeb01755eeb861bb4db9bbb39191c
• 5724589c46f3e469dc9f048e1e2601b8d7d1bafcc54e3d9460bc0adeeada022d
• 7f1a344d8141e75c69a3c5cf61197f1d4b5038053fd777a68589ecdb29168e0c
• fd3b36455e58ba3531e8cce0326cce782723cc5d1cc0998b775e07e6c2622160
• 819044d01e8726a47fc5970efc80ceddea0ac9bf7c1c5d08b293f0ae571369a9
• 0f2f8adce0f1e1971cba5851e383846b68e5504679d916d7dad10133cc965851
• fb1e68ee3509993d0fe767b0372752d2fec8f5b0bf03d5c10a30b042a830ae1a
• d3dc4e22611ed20d700b6dd292ffddbc595c42453f18879f2ae4693a4d4d925a
• f4d7e9ec4eda034c29b8d73d479084658858f56e67909c2ffedf9223d7ca9bd2
• 7ca6989ccfb0ad0571aef7b263125410a5037976f41e17ee7c022097f827bd74
• c646c8e6a632e23a9c2e60590f012c7b5cb40340194cb0a597161676961b4de0

Command and Control Servers

• safetyfactor[.]online
• cloudmiracle[.]store
• flandria171[.]appspot[.]com (FCM)
• newyan-1e09d[.]appspot[.]com (FCM)

Droppers distribution URL’s

• mcafee[.]960232[.]com
• mcafee[.]353934[.]com
• mcafee[.]908713[.]com
• mcafee[.]784503[.]com
• mcafee[.]053105[.]com
• mcafee[.]092877[.]com
• mcafee[.]582630[.]com
• mcafee[.]581574[.]com
• mcafee[.]582342[.]com
• mcafee[.]593942[.]com
• mcafee[.]930204[.]com

Steps to be taken when your device is compromised?.

• Change the password: Vultur revealed multiple cases where threat actors can gain access to your financial and private information. To safeguard your account, reset passwords on other devices and create secure, unique passwords during the time. Instead of simply storing your password, a reputed password manager is the most secure way of storing information.

• Keep an eye on your transactions and accounts: It is advised that you regularly monitor your online accounts for any unusual or illegal activity. Keep a watch out for any irregularities, and report anything suspicious to the provider or authorities straight immediately.. Also check your credit reports and scores attentively to make sure that your identity or cards are not compromised.

• Make sure you are using identity theft protection: Many pieces of information about your identity are stored in an Android device. Cyber criminals can easily get hold of this data and make major damage to you, including stealing your money and identity. For your own protection, some of the identity theft protection services that monitor all your personal information and notify you on any unusual activity and, as well, helps you to freeze your accounts would be beneficial.

• Immediately get in touch with your banks and credit card companies: Your personal information such as credit card or bank details is of high risk to be exposed to hackers who could use them to make transactions without you knowing. You should inform your credit card and the lending bank about the situation as soon as possible. They would help you if your cards were used for fraudulent charges and your card be either frozen or canceled. Besides, they can get new cards issued.

• Make your contacts alert regarding the fraud you faced: Threat actors may access your social media or email accounts to send phishing messages or spam to people in your contact list, if they gain access to them. Moreover, they may masquerade as you and try to extort cash from you or disclose your personal information. Distributing a message to your contacts stating that they shouldn’t open or reply to any messages that look like they are not from you and look very strange or suspicious, will be a great idea.

• Make a backup and wipe all your device content in factory settings: You can always factory reset your device to ensure it is free of viruses and spyware. In other words, it will refresh Android and leave behind all your data and settings. Back up all the critical data prior to processing it and assure that everything is restored from a trustworthy source only.

Preventive measures to be taken:

• Avoid calling back to the hacker: If a hacker texts you claiming to have approved a sizable bank transaction, refrain from picking up the phone. You can always check by making a call to your own financial intuition. However, never pick up on an unknown number that someone else sends you.

• Avoid sideloading apps and shortened URLs: Try to avoid sideloading apps. That's the moment when you install apps from unofficial sources. Users may be tricked into downloading malware using short URLs.

• Be careful granting permissions: Be cautious when allowing permissions for apps. Think about whether an app really needs access to specific data or device functions.

• Limit the apps you have on your phone: On your phone, having plenty of apps might sometimes make it easier to become infected with malware. Over time, these apps may allow harmful code to enter your system, and the more programs you have to update and monitor, the greater the risk to your Android device. This is how to remove pointless apps from your Android device.

• Download apps from reputable sources: Additionally, make sure the programs you download are from reputable and authorized developers. Do your homework and read reviews before you install.

• Keep your Android device updated: With the help of software and security upgrades, your phone can automatically maintain security. Remember to install them.

• Have good antivirus software on all your devices: The best defense against malware on all of your devices is to install antivirus software. By blocking you from clicking on potentially dangerous links, antivirus software can keep malware off your devices and keep hackers from accessing your personal data.

Conclusion:

Vultur is a terrifying banking Trojan with a great deal of sophistication. It's unsettling that hackers can take complete control of your Android device, which emphasizes how crucial it is that you take precautions. It all starts with a text message in these attacks. You must take the time to independently contact your banking institution to check whether there are any issues. You may prevent having your entire device compromised and your personal information exposed by simply investing an additional few minutes.

Reference:

• https://research.nccgroup.com/2024/03/28/android-malware-vultur-expands-its-wingspan/
• https://www.threatfabric.com/blogs/vultur-v-for-vnc\
• https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/malware-adware/this-nasty-android-banking-trojan-lets-hackers-completely-hijack-your-phone-how-to-stay-safe
• https://thehackernews.com/2024/04/vultur-android-banking-trojan-returns.html?m=1
• https://www.smallbiztechnology.com/archive/2024/04/vultur-trojan-heightens-android-app-security-risks.html/
• https://securityaffairs.com/161320/malware/vultur-banking-trojan-android.html
• https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/android-trojan-spy-vultur
• https://www.scmagazine.com/brief/updated-vultur-android-banking-trojan-emerges
• https://innovatecybersecurity.com/security-threat-advisory/windows-server-updates-blamed-for-domain-controller-crashes-kb5035855-and-kb5035857/

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Introduction

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 20th August 2024 issued directives requiring Access Service Providers to adhere to the specific guidelines to protect consumer interests and prevent fraudulent activities.  TRAI has mandated all Access Service Providers to abide by the directives. These steps advance TRAI's efforts to promote a secure messaging ecosystem, protecting consumer interests and eliminating fraudulent conduct.

Key Highlights of the TRAI’s Directives

• For improved monitoring and control, TRAI has directed that Access Service Providers move telemarketing calls, beginning with the 140 series, to an online DLT (Digital Ledger Technology) platform by September 30, 2024, at the latest. 
• All Access Service Providers will be forbidden from sending messages that contain URLs, APKs, OTT links, or callback numbers that the sender has not whitelisted, the rule is to be effective from September 1st, 2024.
• In an effort to improve message traceability, TRAI has made it mandatory for all messages, starting on November 1, 2024, to include a traceable trail from sender to receiver. Any message with an undefined or mismatched telemarketer chain will be rejected.
• To discourage the exploitation or misuse of templates for promotional content, TRAI has introduced punitive actions in case of non-compliance. Content Templates registered in the wrong category will be banned, and subsequent offences will result in a one-month suspension of the Sender's services.
• To assure compliance with rules, all Headers and Content Templates registered on DLT must follow the requirements. Furthermore, a single Content Template cannot be connected to numerous headers.
• If any misuse of headers or content templates by a sender is discovered, TRAI has instructed an immediate ‘suspension of traffic’ from all of that sender's headers and content templates for their verification. Such suspension can only be revoked only after the Sender has taken legal action against such usage. Furthermore, Delivery-Telemarketers must identify and disclose companies guilty of such misuse within two business days, or else risk comparable repercussions.

CyberPeace Policy Outlook

TRAI’s measures are aimed at curbing the misuse of messaging services including spam. TRAI has mandated that headers and content templates follow defined requirements. Punitive actions are introduced in case of non-compliance with the directives, such as blacklisting and service suspension. TRAI’s measures will surely curb the increasing rate of scams such as phishing, spamming, and other fraudulent activities and ultimately protect consumer's interests and establish a true cyber-safe environment in messaging services ecosystem.

The official text of TRAI directives is available on the official website of TRAI or you can access the link here.

References

1. https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Direction_20082024.pdf
2. https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.53of2024.pdf
3. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2046872
4. https://legal.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulators/trai-issues-directives-to-access-providers-to-curb-misuse-fraud-through-messaging/112669368

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Executive Summary:

A viral online video claims Billionaire and Founder of Tesla & SpaceX Elon Musk of promoting Cryptocurrency. The CyberPeace Research Team has confirmed that the video is a deepfake, created using AI technology to manipulate Elon’s facial expressions and voice through the use of relevant, reputed and well verified AI tools and applications to arrive at the above conclusion for the same. The original footage had no connections to any cryptocurrency, BTC or ETH apportion to the ardent followers of crypto-trading. The claim that Mr. Musk endorses the same and is therefore concluded to be false and misleading.

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Claims:

A viral video falsely claims that Billionaire and founder of Tesla Elon Musk is endorsing a Crypto giveaway project for the crypto enthusiasts which are also his followers  by consigning a portion of his valuable Bitcoin and Ethereum stock.

   Post link

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Post link

Fact Check:

Upon receiving the viral posts, we conducted a Google Lens search on the keyframes of the video. The search led us to various legitimate sources featuring Mr. Elon Musk but none of them included any promotion of any cryptocurrency giveaway. The viral video exhibited signs of digital manipulation, prompting a deeper investigation.

We used AI detection tools, such as TrueMedia.org, to analyze the video. The analysis confirmed with 99.0% confidence that the video was a deepfake. The tools identified "substantial evidence of manipulation," particularly in the facial movements and voice, which were found to be artificially generated.

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Analysis link

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Additionally, an extensive review of official statements and interviews with Mr. Musk revealed no mention of any such giveaway. No credible reports were found linking Elon Musk to this promotion, further confirming the video’s inauthenticity.

Conclusion:

The viral video claiming that Elon Musk promotes a crypto giveaway is a deep fake. The research using various tools such as Google Lens, AI detection tool confirms that the video is manipulated using AI technology. Additionally, there is no information in any official sources. Thus, the CyberPeace Research Team confirms that the video was manipulated using AI technology, making the claim false and misleading.

• Claim: Elon Musk conducting giving away Cryptocurrency viral on social media.
• Claimed on: X(Formerly Twitter)
• Fact Check: False & Misleading

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