NSA Cyberweapons Help Hackers Mine Cryptocurrency

Hackers are using leaked NSA cyberweapons to mine cryptocurrency over vulnerable servers.

The weapons can be used to take over Windows and Linux systems, and download malware that tin can mine the digital currency Monero, according to security provider F5 Networks.

To spread the mining across a victim's network, the attacks leverage two NSA-developed exploits—EternalBlue and EternalSynergy—which were leaked online in Apr. Both exploits tin can make hijacking Windows systems easy, and they've already been used to propagate ransomware attacks across the world.

However, the NSA cyberweapons take also proved useful when it comes to cryptocurrency mining. Past hijacking the machines, a hacker can exploit the calculating power to more quickly mine Monero, which has been ascension in value and become a favored currency among cybercriminals.

It isn't clear how many machines have been striking with this mining attack, or how much profit has been generated. However, F5 Networks did notice $eight,500 in Monero being forwarded from the assail to one specific mining accost.

The hackers have been targeting systems running Apache Struts, a web application framework that has history of containing disquisitional security bugs. The attacks exploit ii bugs in Apache Struts, ane of which was used to breach credit agency Equifax earlier this twelvemonth.

Both bugs, in addition to the NSA-developed exploits, take all been patched. But companies can be dull to update their systems with the newest software, making them vulnerable to the attack.

F5 Networks said the hackers have only been using the hijacked servers to mine Monero, which at worst could pig system resources and increase a victim's electrical bill. But F5 Networks also warned: "attackers could utilise compromised systems to do whatsoever they desire."

Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/news/18702/nsa-cyberweapons-help-hackers-mine-cryptocurrency

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