AgentTesla Malware Attack Windows Machine Steal Sensitive Data

   January 12, 2024  Posted in GBHackers


AgentTesla is a notorious malware that functions as a keylogger and information stealer. 

By logging keystrokes and capturing screenshots on infected systems, this notorious malware targets sensitive data like:-

  • Login credentials
  • Financial information

Recently, the cybersecurity researchers at BitSight Security discovered that AgentTesla malware had been actively attacking Windows machines to steal sensitive data.

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AgentTesla Malware Attacking Windows

AgentTesla is a .NET-written Windows malware that steals sensitive data and emerged for the first time in 2014. It faced legal issues once it was sold widely, leading to its shutdown in March 2019. 

It later reemerged as OriginLogger, which shares the same code base and poses a persistent threat as a licensed-based Malware as a Service (MaaS) on the clear web with websites like-

  • agenttesla[.]com
  • originpro[.]me
OriginLogger (Source – Bitsight)

Researchers found that one of the sites sells short-term licenses (up to six months) for AgentTesla’s instance “OriginLogger” with several customizations. 

AgentTesla is a prevalent malware that was rebranded and updated in November. It spreads via phishing emails with loaders like:-

After infecting it harvests the following data:-

  • Credentials
  • Keystrokes
  • Clipboard data
  • Screenshots 

Not only that even, it also uses various protocols like:-

Over 1500 recent AgentTesla configurations were found, and 75% used email for exfiltration. However, since December 2022, no HTTP exfiltration has been observed.

Exfiltration methods by number of configs
Exfiltration methods by number of configs (Source – Bitsight)

The data gathered by the malware are mainly from:-

  • Browsers
  • VPN clients
  • Mail clients
  • FTP clients
  • VNC clients
  • Microsoft Applications
  • Social media apps

Pricing plans

In total, there are three plans, and here below, we have mentioned those three plans:-

  • 1-month plan will cost $50
  • 3-month plan will cost $75
  • 4-month plan will cost $90

Researchers accessed 3 months of victim data from 210 malware campaigns, compromising 5300 computers between Oct-Dec 2023. 

Around 2000 IP addresses were geographically mapped, which shows that the U.S. was the most targeted country, followed by

Common country top-level domains suggested European ties. Exploited data is used for direct exploitation and profit-driven schemes like ransomware and business email compromise attacks.

To counter the evolving threats, researchers urged to integrate the:-

  • Multi-layered defense mechanism
  • Proactive detection
  • Employee awareness
  • Robust cybersecurity strategy

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