Cryptojacking Campaign Targets PostgreSQL Servers Via Unauthorized Access

Article Highlights
Off On

A concerning ongoing campaign has been identified, targeting exposed PostgreSQL instances to deploy cryptocurrency miners through unauthorized access. This recent cyber intrusion has been closely monitored by security firm Wiz, which has labeled this malicious activity as a variant of the intrusion initially discovered by Aqua Security last year. Using malware named PG_MEM, the campaign is attributed to the threat actor JINX-0126. This operation showcases sophisticated defense evasion techniques, such as deploying binaries with unique hashes for each target and executing miner payloads filelessly to evade detection.

Unauthorized Access and Exploits

The campaign has successfully compromised over 1,500 PostgreSQL servers, primarily taking advantage of systems with weak or easily guessable credentials. One of the key tactics employed by the attackers involves abusing the COPY … FROM PROGRAM SQL command to execute shell commands, allowing them to gain an initial foothold on the targeted server. They further use a Base64-encoded shell script to eliminate competing cryptocurrency miners and install a malicious binary named PG_CORE. This method ensures continued control over the infected system, enabling the attackers to maintain their cryptojacking activities without interruption.

An obfuscated Golang binary, deceitfully named postmaster to mimic the legitimate PostgreSQL server, aids persistence. This binary establishes itself via cron jobs, creates a privileged role within the database, and writes another binary, cpu_hu, to disk. The binary cpu_hu, in turn, downloads the latest version of the XMRig miner from GitHub and launches it filelessly using the memfd technique, a tactic known for its efficiency in avoiding detection. Each compromised machine becomes uniquely assigned as a mining worker, contributing to the attacker’s overall mining operations.

Indicators and Impacts of the Campaign

Evidence indicates that the threat actor assigns a unique identifier to each mining worker, with three wallets showing links to approximately 550 workers each. This alignment implies that the campaign may involve more than 1,500 compromised machines. The wide-reaching impact highlights the significant risk posed by publicly exposed PostgreSQL instances, which often become opportunistic targets for such malicious campaigns due to their vulnerabilities.

The campaign’s distinctive characteristics include fileless payload execution, unique binary hashes per target, and sophisticated persistence mechanisms. This level of intricacy reflects the evolving strategies employed by JINX-0126, who have demonstrated a refined approach to cryptojacking. These developments underscore the critical need for robust security practices and proactive measures to safeguard cloud environments and database servers from exploitation.

Strategic Takeaways

A significant ongoing cyber campaign has been detected, targeting unprotected PostgreSQL databases to install cryptocurrency mining software through unauthorized access. Security firm Wiz has been closely monitoring this recent cyber intrusion, identifying it as a variant of an attack first uncovered by Aqua Security last year. The malware, named PG_MEM, is linked to the threat actor known as JINX-0126. This sophisticated operation uses advanced techniques to avoid detection, such as deploying binaries with unique hashes for each target and executing their miner payloads without creating files, rendering traditional security measures less effective. The attackers’ ability to adapt and evolve their strategies highlights the critical need for robust security measures to protect database instances from such threats. Organizations are urged to secure their PostgreSQL instances by applying necessary security patches, monitoring unusual activities, and implementing best practices to avoid falling victim to these sophisticated attacks.

Explore more

Can Federal Lands Power the Future of AI Infrastructure?

I’m thrilled to sit down with Dominic Jainy, an esteemed IT professional whose deep knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain offers a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and federal policy. Today, we’re diving into the US Department of Energy’s ambitious plan to develop a data center at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Our conversation

Can Your Mouse Secretly Eavesdrop on Conversations?

In an age where technology permeates every aspect of daily life, the notion that a seemingly harmless device like a computer mouse could pose a privacy threat is startling, raising urgent questions about the security of modern hardware. Picture a high-end optical mouse, designed for precision in gaming or design work, sitting quietly on a desk. What if this device,

Building the Case for EDI in Dynamics 365 Efficiency

In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management (F&SCM) are increasingly faced with the challenge of optimizing their operations to stay competitive, especially when manual processes slow down critical workflows like order processing and invoicing, which can severely impact efficiency. The inefficiencies stemming from outdated methods not only drain resources but also risk

Structured Data Boosts AI Snippets and Search Visibility

In the fast-paced digital arena where search engines are increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, standing out amidst the vast online content is a formidable challenge for any website. AI-driven systems like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Mode are redefining how information is retrieved and presented to users, moving beyond traditional keyword searches to dynamic, conversational summaries. At the heart of

How Is Oracle Boosting Cloud Power with AMD and Nvidia?

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, the demand for robust cloud infrastructure has never been more critical, and Oracle is stepping up to meet this challenge head-on with strategic alliances that promise to redefine its position in the market. As enterprises increasingly rely on AI-driven solutions for everything from data analytics to generative