Beware: Malware Distribution Disguised as Fake Chrome Updates

A malware distribution campaign was identified by an NTT security analyst. The campaign utilized a deceptive error screen appearing as a Google Chrome update to distribute malware.

Several targets were reported to have confirmed malware downloads as the campaign gained traction. The attack campaign begins by infiltrating websites and inserting malevolent JavaScript code that triggers scripts upon a user’s visit. The scripts initiate the downloading of additional scripts depending on whether the user fits the target criteria.

The delivery of these harmful scripts is facilitated by the Pinata IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) service, which obscures the source server that stores the files. This approach thwarts efforts to blacklist the server and makes it difficult to take down the attack.

When a visitor matching the target criteria accesses the compromised website, the scripts trigger a deceptive error message disguised as a Google Chrome automatic update failure. The fake error screen states that the installation of the required update was unsuccessful, and the visitor is prompted to either install the update package manually or wait for the next automatic update.

The error message reads, “An error occurred in Chrome automatic update. Please install the update package manually later, or wait for the next automatic update.”

The attack involves the automatic download of a ZIP file named ‘release.zip’ that pretends to be a Google Chrome update. This file, however, contains a Monero miner that utilizes the device’s CPU resources to generate cryptocurrency for the attackers.

Once launched, the malware duplicates itself to C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome as “updater.exe” and deploys a genuine executable to run from memory. The malware leverages the “BYOVD” technique to exploit a WinRing0x64.sys vulnerability to obtain SYSTEM privileges on the device.

The miner remains undetected by Windows Defender by adding scheduled tasks and modifying the Registry. After the completion of the process, the Monero miner connects to xmr.2miners[.]com and begins mining the difficult-to-trace cryptocurrency.

As a prevention, avoid installing security updates from third-party sites and always rely on updates from the software developers or automatic updates within the program.