The APT group DefrayX seems to have launched a brand new model of its RansomExx malware, rewritten within the Rust programming language — presumably to keep away from detection by antivirus software program.
In keeping with IBM Safety X-Power Menace researchers, that evasion could also be profitable, a minimum of for now. IBM reported that one pattern that it analyzed “was not detected as malicious within the VirusTotal platform for a minimum of 2 weeks after its preliminary submission” and that “the brand new pattern continues to be solely detected by 14 out of the 60+ AV suppliers represented within the platform.”
In addition to being more durable to detect and reverse-engineer, Rust has the benefit of being platform-agnostic. Thus, whereas the brand new model of RansomExx runs on Linux, IBM predicts a Home windows model will likely be on its means quickly, if it is not already unfastened and undetected.
RansomExx is way from the one malware bundle written in Rust. BlackCat, Hive, and, earlier than that, Buer are distinguished examples of malware that was rewritten to keep away from detection primarily based on the C/C++ variations.
DefrayX is thought for its assaults focusing on cloud workloads and particular verticals, together with healthcare and manufacturing.