Cyber Threat Report: 'Threat Group FIN7 Targets the U.S. Automotive Industry'

In late 2023, BlackBerry analysts discovered a targeted attack by FIN7 on a U.S. automotive manufacturer, exploiting IT employees with higher administrative rights using a fake IP scanning tool to deploy the Anunak backdoor. The attack involved a multi-stage execution process using spear-phishing emails, malicious URLs, and a series of downloads and decrypts to ultimately deliver the Anunak payload. According to the researchers, FIN7, also known as Carbon Spider, ELBRUS and Sangria Tempest, has shifted focus from widespread attacks to precise targeting of large entities, deploying ransomware as the final payload. The post also suggests that FIN7 is affiliated with other groups including GOLD NIAGARA, ALPHV and BlackCat. The post details tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) and recommendations for mitigation.

Operating System Configuration

Make configuration changes related to the operating system or a common feature of the operating system that result in system hardening against techniques.

Privileged Account Management

Manage the creation, modification, use, and permissions associated to privileged accounts, including SYSTEM and root.

Disable or Remove Feature or Program

Remove or deny access to unnecessary and potentially vulnerable software to prevent abuse by adversaries.

Execution Prevention

Block execution of code on a system through application control, and/or script blocking.

Code Signing

Enforce binary and application integrity with digital signature verification to prevent untrusted code from executing.

Antivirus/Antimalware

Use signatures or heuristics to detect malicious software.

Audit

Perform audits or scans of systems, permissions, insecure software, insecure configurations, etc. to identify potential weaknesses.

User Account Management

Manage the creation, modification, use, and permissions associated to user accounts.

Restrict File and Directory Permissions

Restrict access by setting directory and file permissions that are not specific to users or privileged accounts.

Restrict Registry Permissions

Restrict the ability to modify certain hives or keys in the Windows Registry.

Network Intrusion Prevention

Use intrusion detection signatures to block traffic at network boundaries.

Filter Network Traffic

Use network appliances to filter ingress or egress traffic and perform protocol-based filtering. Configure software on endpoints to filter network traffic.

SSL/TLS Inspection

Break and inspect SSL/TLS sessions to look at encrypted web traffic for adversary activity.

Behavior Prevention on Endpoint

Use capabilities to prevent suspicious behavior patterns from occurring on endpoint systems. This could include suspicious process, file, API call, etc. behavior.

Restrict Web-Based Content

Restrict use of certain websites, block downloads/attachments, block Javascript, restrict browser extensions, etc.

Software Configuration

Implement configuration changes to software (other than the operating system) to mitigate security risks associated to how the software operates.

User Training

Train users to be aware of access or manipulation attempts by an adversary to reduce the risk of successful spearphishing, social engineering, and other techniques that involve user interaction.

Pre-compromise

This category is used for any applicable mitigation activities that apply to techniques occurring before an adversary gains Initial Access, such as Reconnaissance and Resource Development techniques.

Data Loss Prevention

Use a data loss prevention (DLP) strategy to categorize sensitive data, identify data formats indicative of personal identifiable information (PII), and restrict exfiltration of sensitive data.(Citation: PurpleSec Data Loss Prevention)