Blog

New Malware Can Infect Linux, Mac, Or Windows Users

Jan 31, 2022 | Blog

There’s a new strain of malware called SysJoker to be mindful of. It’s especially dangerous because it can target Windows, Mac or Linux systems.  That makes it an equal opportunity strain.

Researchers at Intezer are credited with discovering the malware in the wild in December of 2021 during an investigation of an attack on a Linux server.  The group was able to obtain samples of the virus for analysis and have concluded that SysJoker is a nasty piece of work indeed.

Written in C++, the malware strain is cunningly constructed to evade detection on all three Operating Systems.  In fact, it’s so good at evading detection that none of the 57 antivirus programs the Intezer researchers tested were able to detect the presence of the malware.

SysJoker is harmless by itself but that is by design.  It is a first-stage dropper and its only job is to gain a foothold in a target network.

Once there it will sleep for two minutes before creating a new directory and then copy itself to that directory all while disguised as an Intel Graphics Common User Interface Service (“igfxCUIService.exe”).

According to the Intezer report, this is what happens next:

“…SysJoker will gather information about the machine using Living off the Land (LOtL) commands. SysJoker uses different temporary text files to log the results of the commands,” explains Intezer’s report.

These text files are deleted immediately, stored in a JSON object and then encoded and written to a file named “microsoft_Windows.dll”.”

When that is done, the malware creates persistence by adding a new registry key (HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun). Random sleep times are interposed between all functions leading to this point.

Finally, it will reach out to the actor-controlled command and control server using a hardcoded Google Drive link.  Once that connection has been established, the hackers can install whatever payload they wish onto the infected system.

None of the major AV programs can detect SysJoker at present. Given that it can infect Windows, Mac and Linux systems, this is one to keep a watchful eye out for.

FBI Program Tasked with Infrastructure Security Compromised

FBI Program Tasked with Infrastructure Security Compromised

The FBI program tasked with ensuring critical infrastructure security has been compromised by hackers, who now offer access to the program's data on the dark web. The breach was initially disclosed by Brian Krebs of Krebs on Security, who claims that the data was for...

Streamline Your Business with the Latest Smart Home Technology

Streamline Your Business with the Latest Smart Home Technology

Are you a business owner looking to get the most out of your Google smart home devices? If so, you're in luck! Google has enabled its Nest products and Android OS with the initial rollout of the Matter smart home standard. This means that businesses now have the...

Data Breach at Sequoia One Exposes Sensitive Customer Information

Data Breach at Sequoia One Exposes Sensitive Customer Information

What do you do when your most personal information has been compromised? This is likely the question that customers of Sequoia One asked themselves earlier this month as they were informed that the company had been hacked. Sequoia One specializes in the management of...

Cisco Reports Critical IP Phone Vulnerability

Cisco Reports Critical IP Phone Vulnerability

As a business owner, it's important to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities that could impact your organization. Recently, Cisco reported a critical vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2022-20968, affecting its IP Phone 7800 and 8800 Series. This new vulnerability...

Google Chrome Releases Two New Features

Google Chrome Releases Two New Features

Google Chrome is one of the more commonly used web browsers. Over the years, though, Chrome has gained a reputation for utilizing a large portion of a computer's memory. This can be a problem if you're running other resource-intensive tasks and don't want to slow...

Get a Free Consultation

 

Fill out the form below to receive a free consultation and learn how we can make your technology worry-free!

 

Contact Information

  • 39301 Badger Street, Suite 500
    Palm Desert, CA 9221
  • (760) 333-8523
  • info@icn.tech