Operation Triangulation: The name and the mystery
Introduction
A zero-click cyber attack solely relies on software and hardware flaws, bypassing any human factor to infect a device and take control over its data. It is almost impossible to discover the attack and know that the device is hacked unless someone on your side is closely monitoring your network traffic data.
At Kaspersky, security analysts used their SIEM solution KUMA to monitor their corporate WiFi network traffic and discovered this mysterious attack. They took necessary actions to investigate it and even went a step further to dive right into the action and uncover the entire attack chain.
A few months ago, Kaspersky shared their findings about this attack on iOS devices. They shared how these zero-click vulnerabilities were being exploited by the attackers and called this attack ‘Operation Triangulation’.
A zero-click exploit in the network
Kaspersky detected a zero-click attack on the iPhones of their colleagues while monitoring their corporate WiFi network traffic. They managed to get detailed information on all the stages of the attack by simply identifying a pattern in the domain names flowing through their network. Although the attackers were quite experienced, their mistakes helped Kaspersky detect critical vulnerabilities in all iOS devices.
The name-pattern
These previously unsuspected domains had a similar name-style which consisted of two names and ended with ‘.com’, such as ‘backuprabbit.com’ and ‘cloudsponcer.com’. They were used in pairs, one for an exportation process and the other served as a command and control server. These domains showed high outbound traffic, they were registered with NameCheap and protected with Cloudflare.
The network pattern
Each time a connection to these suspicious domains was made, it was preceded by an iMessage connection which indicated these domains are being accessed by iOS devices. It was observed that the devices connected to these domains, downloaded attachments, performed a few requests to a first level domain which was an exploitation framework server, then made regular connections with the second level domain which was a command and control server controlled by the attackers.
Getting more information
To get more information about the attack all the infected devices were collected and backed up after carefully informing the device owners. Although the attackers had managed to clean their artefacts, the backed up data was used to perform digital forensic procedures and find traces of the attacks. This helped Kaspersky to figure out how the infection might be taking place.
The attacker’s mistakes
The attackers deleted all the attachment files and exploits but did not delete the modified SMS attachment folder. That folder had no files left inside it. The attackers removed evidence from other databases as well, like the ‘SMS.db’ database, however another database called ‘datausage.sqlite’ was not sanitised.
The ‘datausage.sqlite’ database is the most important database when it comes to iOS forensics as its contents can be used to track applications and network usage. Upon examination of this database, a process logged as ‘BackupAgent’ was found to be making network connections at the same time the device was making connections to the suspicious domains.
The indicator of compromise
‘BackupAgent’ stood out in this scenario because although it is a legitimate binary, it has been deprecated since iOS4 and it should not have been making any network connections. This identified the ‘BackupAgent’ process as the first solid indicator of compromise in Operation Triangulation. The indicator is termed as- ‘Data usage by process BackupAgent’, and was used to determine if any specific device was infected.
Taking it a step ahead
The team at Kaspersky successfully identified the indicator of compromise and determined which devices were infected, but as the attackers were experienced enough to delete their payloads, they decided to set a trap and perform a man-in-the-middle attack. When they did, the attackers were unable to detect it.
The man-in the-middle attack
Kaspersky prepared a server with ‘WireGuard’ and ‘mitmproxy’. They installed root certificates on devices that could be used as targets for the attackers and routed all the network traffic to that server. They also developed a ‘Telegram’ bot to notify them about new infections as they decrypted the network traffic.
Setting up a bot proved to be an effective way of real time monitoring while modifying all the network packets on-the-fly with ‘mitmproxy’, this gave them unlimited power! Their trap was successful in capturing a payload sent by the attackers and it was analysed in detail.
The name was in the payload
The payload was an HTML page with obfuscator javascript which performed various code checks and canvas footprinting. It rendered a yellow triangle and calculated its hash value. This is why the operation was named Operation Triangulation.
The team at Kaspersky started cracking various layers of asymmetric cryptography with regular expressions. They patched the stages one-by-one on the fly to move the logic from each stage to ‘mitmproxy’ and finally implemented a 400 line ‘mitmproxy’ add-on. This add-on decrypted all the validators, exploits, spyware and additional modules.
The mystery
It is remarkable how Kaspersky detected the attack and identified multiple vulnerabilities, set up a trap to capture a payload and decrypted it completely. They shared all their findings with the device manufacturer and Apple responded by sending out a security patch update addressing four zero-day vulnerabilities.
A zero-click vulnerability
Traditionally any spyware relies on the user to to click on a compromised link or file to initiate the infection. However a zero-click vulnerability is a specific flaw in the device software or hardware that the attacker can use to infect the device without the need for a click or tap from the user.
The vulnerabilities identified
- Tricky Font Flaw (CVE-2023-41990): A clandestine method involving the manipulation of font rendering on iPhones, akin to a secret code deciphered by the attackers.Apple swiftly addressed this vulnerability in versions iOS 15.7.8 and iOS 16.3.
- Kernel Trick (CVE-2023-32434): Exploiting a hidden language understood only by the iPhone's core, the attackers successfully compromised the kernel's integrity.Apple responded with fixes implemented in iOS 15.7.7, iOS 15.8, and iOS 16.5.1.
- Web Sneakiness (CVE-2023-32435): Leveraging a clever ploy in the interpretation of web content by iPhones, the attackers manipulated the device's behaviour.Apple addressed this vulnerability in iOS 15.7.7 and iOS 16.5.1.
- Kernel Key (CVE-2023-38606): The pinnacle of the operation, the attackers discovered a covert method to tamper with the iPhone's core, the kernel.Apple responded with a fix introduced in iOS 16.6, thwarting the intrusion into the most secure facets of the iPhone
Still, how these attackers were able to find this critical vulnerability in a device which stands out for it’s security features is still unknown.
CyberPeace Advisory
Zero-click attacks are a real threat, but you can defend yourself. Being aware of the risks and taking proactive steps can significantly reduce vulnerability. Regularly installing the latest updates for your operating system, apps, and firmware helps patch vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
- Keep your software updated as they contain crucial security patches that plug vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
- Use security software to actively scan for suspicious activity and malicious code, acting as a first line of defence against zero-click intrusions.
- Be cautious with unsolicited messages if the offer seems too good to be true or the link appears suspicious as it can contain malware that can infect your device.
- Disable automatic previews as it can potentially trigger malicious code hidden within the content.
- Be mindful of what you install and avoid unverified apps and pirated software, as they can be Trojan horses laden with malware.
- Stay informed about the latest threats and updates by following reliable news sources and security blogs to stay ahead of the curve, recognize potential zero-click scams and adjust your behaviour accordingly.
Check out our (advisory report)[add report link] to get in depth information.
Conclusion
Operation Triangulation stands as a testament to the continuous cat-and-mouse game between cybercriminals and tech giants. While the covert spy mission showcased the vulnerabilities present in earlier iPhone versions, Apple's prompt response underscores the commitment to user security. As the digital landscape evolves, vigilance, timely updates, and collaborative efforts remain essential in safeguarding against unforeseen cyber threats.
References:
- Operation Triangulation: iOS devices targeted with previously unknown malware | Securelist, 1 June, 2023
- Operation Triangulation: The last (hardware) mystery | Securelist, 27 December, 2023.
- 37C3 - Operation Triangulation: What You Get When Attack iPhones of Researchers (youtube.com), 29 December,2023
Related Blogs
Introduction
India’s telecom regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has directed telcos to block all unverified headers and message templates within 30 and 60 days, respectively, according to a press release. The regulator observed that telemarketers were ‘misusing’ headers and message templates of registered parties and asked telcos to reverify all registered headers & message templates on the DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platform. All telecom service providers (TSP) have to comply with these directions, issued under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018, within a month, TRAI said in its release. The directions were issued after TRAI held a meeting with telcos on February 17, 2023, to discuss quality of service (QoS) improvements, review of QoS standards, QoS of 5G services and unsolicited commercial communications”, as per its press release.
Why it matters?
It may be useful as it can ensure that all promotional messages are sent through registered telemarketers using only approved templates. It is no secret that the spam problem has been difficult to rein in, so the measure can restrict its proliferation and filter out telemarketers resorting to misuse.
Details about TRAI’s orders
The release said that telcos have to ensure that temporary headers are deactivated immediately after the time duration for which such headers were created. The telcos also have to ensure that there is no space to insert unwanted content in the template of a message where one can add content to be sent to people. Message recipients should not be confused, so telcos must ensure that they register no lookalike headers in the names of different senders.
Measures to check unregistered telemarketers
The release ordered telcos to bar telemarketers not registered on its DLT platform from accessing message templates and scrubbing them to deliver spam messages to recipients on the telco’s network. The telcos have been directed not to allow promotional messages to be sent by unregistered telemarketers or telemarketers using 10-digit telephone numbers. It added that telcos have to take action against erring telemarketers and share details of these telemarketers with other telcos, which will then be responsible for stopping these entities from sending commercial communications through their networks.
How big is the problem of spam?
A survey conducted by LocalCircles said that two out of every three people (66 per cent) in India get three or more spam calls daily. It added that not one person among thousands of respondents checked the box of ‘no spam’.
The platform said that it was a national survey which gathered over 56,000 responses from Indians located in 342 districts. It also found that 92 % of responders said they continue receiving spam despite opting for DND. The DND list is a feature where mobile subscriber can register their number to avoid getting unsolicited commercial communication (UCC).
Addressing the problem of spam
The regulatory body recently released a consultation paper that proposed the idea of providing the real name identity of callers to people receiving calls. The paper said that it would use a database containing each subscriber’s correct name to implement the caller name presentation (CNAP) service. The regulator wants to use details acquired by telecom service providers via customer acquisition forms (CAF).
TRAI formed a joint committee to look at the issue of phishing and cyber fraud in 2022. It included officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The telecom watchdog had laid out a plan to combat SMS and call spam using blockchain technology (DLT). It saw telecom companies and TRAI to build an encrypted and distributed database that will record user consent to be included in SMS or call send-out lists.
According to a press release, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the telecom regulator in India, has ordered carriers to block any unverified headers and message templates within 30 and 60 days, respectively.
The regulator saw that telemarketers were “misusing” registered parties’ headers and message templates. Thus, they requested that telecoms validate all of the registered headers and message templates on the DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platform.
According to TRAI’s statement, all telecom service providers (TSP) must adhere to these directives within one month under the 2018 Telecom Commercial Communication Consumer Preference Rules. The guidelines were released following a conference with telcos convened by TRAI on February 17, 2023, to discuss quality of service (QoS) enhancements, a review of QoS standards, the QoS of 5G services, and unsolicited commercial communications.
Why it matters?
Requiring that only registered telemarketers send promotional communications using approved templates may prove to be a beneficial safeguard. It is no secret that the spam problem has been challenging to control, so the measure can limit its spread and screen out telemarketers that employ abusive tactics.
Information on the TRAI order
According to the press release, telecoms must ensure that temporary headers are deactivated as soon as the time period they were established has passed. The telecoms must also ensure that there is no room in the message template where one can add content to be sent to recipients for unwanted content. There should be no room for uncertainty among message recipients. Thus, telecoms must ensure that no similar-looking headers are registered under the identities of various senders.
Taking action against unregistered telemarketers In accordance with the directive, telcos must prevent telemarketers who are not registered on their DLT platform from obtaining message templates and using them to send spam to subscribers on their network. Telemarketers who are not registered or who use 10-digit phone numbers cannot send promotional messages, according to instructions given to telecoms. Telcos must take action against misbehaving telemarketers, it was noted, and divulge their information to other telecoms, who would be in charge of preventing these companies from transmitting commercial messages.
How widespread is the spam issue?
According to a LocalCircles poll, three or more spam calls are received every day by two out of every three Indians (66%) on average. It further stated that not a single one of the thousands of responses clicked the “no-spam” box. According to the platform, the survey was conducted nationally and received over 56,000 responses from Indians in 342 districts. Moreover, 92 % of respondents reported that even after choosing DND, they still receive spam. A mobile subscriber can register their number on the DND list to prevent receiving unsolicited commercial communication (UCC).
consultation document recently in which it recommended the concept of providing the genuine name identify of callers to persons receiving calls. The paper indicated that it would employ a database containing each subscriber’s correct name to implement the caller name presentation (CNAP) service. The regulator wants to use information collected by telecom service providers through client acquisition forms (CAF).
Conclusion
TRAI established a joint committee to examine the problem of phishing and cyber scams in 2022. Officials from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) were present (SEBI).
The telecom watchdog had outlined a strategy for leveraging blockchain technology to combat SMS and call spam (DLT).
Overview:
It is worth stating that millions of Windows users around the world are facing the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) problem that makes systems shutdown or restart. This has been attributed to a CrowdStrike update that was released recently and has impacted many organizations, financial institutions, and government agencies across the globe. Indian airlines have also reported disruptions on X (formerly Twitter), informing passengers about the issue.
Understanding Blue Screen of Death:
Blue Screen errors, also known as black screen errors or STOP code errors, can occur due to critical issues forcing Windows to shut down or restart. You may encounter messages like "Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer." These errors can be caused by hardware or software problems.
Impact on Industries
Some of the large U. S. airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines had to issue ground stops because of communication problems. Also, several airports on Friday suffered a massive technical issue in check-in kiosks for IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express.
The Widespread Issue
The issue seems widespread and is causing disruption across the board as Windows PCs are deployed at workplaces and other public entities like airlines, banks, and even media companies. It has been pointed out that Windows PCs use a special cybersecurity solution from a company called CrowdStrike that seems to be the culprit for this outage, affecting most Windows PC users out there.
Microsoft's Response
The issue was acknowledged by Microsoft and the mitigations are underway. The company in its verified X handle Microsoft 365 status has shared a series information on the latest outage and they are looking into the matter. The issue is under investigation.
In one of the posts from Microsoft Azure, it is mentioned that they have become aware of an issue affecting Virtual Machines (VMs) running Windows Client and Windows Server with the CrowdStrike Falcon agent installed. These VMs may encounter a bug check (BSOD) and become stuck in a restarting state. Their analysis indicates that this issue started approximately at 19:00 UTC on July 18th. They have provided recommendations as follows:
Restore from Backup: In case customers have available backups prior to 19:00 UTC on July 18th, they should recover VM data from the backups. If the customer is using Azure Backup, they can get exact steps on how to restore VM data in the Azure portal. here.
Offline OS Disk Repair: Alternatively, customers can attempt offline repair of the OS disk by attaching an unmanaged disk to the affected VM. Encrypted disks may require additional steps to unlock before repair. Once attached, delete the following file:
Windows/System/System32/Drivers/CrowdStrike/C00000291*.sys
After deletion, reattach the disk to the original VM.
Microsoft Azure is actively investigating additional mitigation options for affected customers. We will provide updates as we gather more information.
Resolving Blue Screen Errors in Windows
Windows 11 & Windows 10:
Blue Screen errors can stem from both hardware and software issues. If new hardware was added before the error, try removing it and restarting your PC. If restarting is difficult, start your PC in Safe Mode.
To Start in Safe Mode:
From Settings:
Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
Under "Advanced startup," select Restart now.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After your PC restarts, you'll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start in Safe Mode. If you need to use the internet, select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
From the Sign-in Screen:
Restart your PC. When you get to the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key down while you select Power > Restart.
After your PC restarts, follow the steps above.
From a Black or Blank Screen:
Press the power button to turn off your device, then turn it back on. Repeat this two more times.
After the third time, your device will start in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
From the Choose an option screen, follow the steps to enter Safe Mode.
Additional Help:
Windows Update: Ensure your system has the latest patches.
Blue Screen Troubleshooter: In Windows, open Get Help, type Troubleshoot BSOD error, and follow the guided walkthrough.
Online Troubleshooting: Visit Microsoft's support page and follow the recommendations under "Recommended Help."
If none of those steps help to resolve your Blue Screen error, please try the Blue Screen Troubleshooter in the Get Help app:
- In Windows, open Get Help.
- In the Get Help app, type Troubleshoot BSOD error.
- Follow the guided walkthrough in the Get Help app.
[Note: If you're not on a Windows device, you can run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter on your browser by going to Contact Microsoft Support and typing Troubleshoot BSOD error. Then follow the guided walkthrough under "Recommended Help."]
For detailed steps and further assistance, please refer to the Microsoft support portal or contact their support team.
CrowdStrike’s Response:
In the statement given by CrowdStrike, they have clearly mentioned it is not any cyberattack and their resources are working to fix the issue on Windows. Further, they have identified the deployment issue and fixed the same. Crowdstrike mentions about their problematic versions as follows:
- “Channel file "C-00000291*.sys" with timestamp of 0527 UTC or later is the reverted (good) version.
- Channel file "C-00000291*.sys" with timestamp of 0409 UTC is the problematic version.
Note: It is normal for multiple "C-00000291*.sys files to be present in the CrowdStrike directory - as long as one of the files in the folder has a timestamp of 0527 UTC or later, that will be the active content.”
The CrowdStrike will be providing latest updates on the same and advises their customers and organizations to contact their officials officially to get latest updates and accurate information. It is encouraged to refer to customer’s support portal for further help.
Stay safe and ensure regular backups to mitigate the impact of such issues.
References:
https://status.cloud.microsoft/
https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/statement-on-falcon-content-update-for-windows-hosts/
Introduction
The nation got its first consolidated data protection regulation in the form of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, in the month of August, and the Indian netizens got their independence in terms of data protection and privacy. The act lays heavy penalties for non-compliance with the provisions, and the same is under the jurisdiction of a Data Protection Board set up by the Central Government, which enjoys powers equivalent to a civil court. The act upholds the right to data privacy as the fundamental right under Article 19 (1)(A) and 21 of the Constitution of India. The same has been judicially supported in the form of the landmark judgement, Jus. K.S Puttawamy vs. Union of India of 2018. Let us take a look at the impact the act will make on the Indian netizens.
What is Personal Data?
Personal Data refers to any form of digitised data which can be directly replicated by any person. This includes email IDs, mobile numbers, health data, banking data, photos, etc. A person to whom the personal data belongs is called the Data Principle. A Data principle is anyone who is above the age of 18 years and consents to the data of children/minors. In the case of children/minors, it is mandatory for the parents or guardians to provide their express consent for the processing of personal data for all or any purposes. Any individual who is processing personal data is known as the Data Fiduciry, and individuals registered under the act may act as consent managers to make the consent transparent. When it comes to the rights of the netizens, it is seen that the act is created with an aspect of “Safety by Design” to secure the rights and responsibilities of the netizens.
Rights secured under the DPDP Act 2023
- Right to Grievance Redressal: The Data fiduciary and the consent manager are required to respond to the grievances of the Data Principal within a time period, which is soon to be prescribed, thus creating a blanket of responsibility for the data fiduciary and consent manager.
- Right to Nominate: Data Principals have the right to nominate any other individual who shall, in the event of death or incapacity of the data principal, exercise his/her rights.
- Right to access to information: The Data principal has the right to seek confirmation from Data fiduciaries regarding the processing of their personal data and the summary of the processed data as well.
- Right to Erasure and Correction: Data principals can reach out to the data fiduciaries in order to exercise their right to correct, complete, update and erasure of their personal data.
- Territorial Rights: The data is to be processed within India, and processing outside India should be in regard to the services provided in India.
- Material Rights: The rights are applicable to any personal data collected in digitised form and also for the data collected in a non-digital form but subsequently digitised.
Obligations for Data Fiduciaries
The data fiduciaries are mandated to oblige with the following provisions in order to maintain compliance with the laws of the land and by securing the Digital rights of the netizens.
These are the obligations of the data fiduciaries:
- Implement technical and organisational measures to safeguard Personal Data.
- Determine the legal grounds for processing and obtaining consent from Data principals where required.
- Provide a privacy notice while obtaining consent from Data principals.
- Implement a mechanism for data principals to exercise their rights.
- Implement a grievance redressal mechanism for handling the queries from Data principals.
- Irrecoverably delete personal data after the purpose for which it was collected has expired or when the consent has been withdrawn.
- Have a breach management policy to notify the data protection board and the data principals in accordance with prescribed timelines.
- Sign a valid contract with Data processors to ensure key obligations are abided by them, including timely deletion of data.
Conclusion
As the world steps into the digital age, it is pertinent for the governments of the world to come up with efficient and effective legislation to protect cyber rights and responsibilities, but as cyberspace has no boundaries, nations need to work in synergy to protect their cyber interests and netizens. This can only begin once all nations have indigenous Cyber laws and rights to protect netizens, and the same has been addressed by the Indian Government in the form of the Digital Perosnl Data Protection Act, 2023. The future is full of emerging technologies and the evolution of cyber laws; hence, consolidating a basic legal structure now is of utmost importance and the same is expected to be strengthened in India by the soon-to-be-released Draft Digital India Bill.
