The Rise of “Bossware” as a Ransomware Gateway: A Growing Threat
Employee monitoring software, often dubbed “bossware,” is increasingly becoming a tool of choice for cybercriminals. What began as a means for employers to oversee remote workforces is now being exploited to gain access to corporate networks and deploy ransomware. This trend highlights a dangerous shift in tactics, where legitimate software is weaponized against the organizations it’s intended to protect.
How Employee Monitoring Software is Being Abused
Recent incidents, as reported by Huntress, demonstrate how threat actors are chaining together employee monitoring tools like Net Monitor for Employees Professional with remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools such as SimpleHelp. This combination allows attackers to blend into legitimate network activity, making detection significantly harder. The ability to establish remote shell connections and execute commands on desktops transforms these tools into powerful remote access trojans (RATs).
The appeal lies in the software’s inherent access levels. Michael Tigges, senior security operations analyst at Huntress, explained that RMMs and employee monitoring tools “blend in amongst legitimate signed binaries,” making malicious activity hard to distinguish from normal operations. This allows attackers to perform reconnaissance, deliver additional tools, and attempt ransomware deployment.
Case Studies: Recent Attacks and Tactics
In late January, attackers installed Net Monitor for Employees on a victim’s machine, using it to manipulate user accounts and download SimpleHelp via PowerShell. Attempts to disable Windows Defender were made, followed by the deployment of multiple versions of Crazy ransomware linked to VoidCrypt. A separate incident in early February involved compromising a third-party SSL VPN account, installing Net Monitor disguised as Microsoft OneDrive, and using SimpleHelp to monitor for cryptocurrency-related keywords – indicating a broader financial motive beyond just ransomware.
The attackers are demonstrating sophistication in their methods, customizing service and process names to evade detection. In one case, Net Monitor was disguised as OneDrive, with the service registered as OneDriveSvc and the process as OneDriver.exe.
The Financial Motivation: Beyond Ransomware
The monitoring for keywords related to cryptocurrency wallets, exchanges, and payment platforms suggests that attackers are not solely focused on ransomware. They are actively seeking opportunities for direct cryptocurrency theft, expanding their potential gains and increasing the severity of attacks.
Why “Bossware” is So Effective for Attackers
Employee monitoring software provides several advantages for attackers:
- Legitimate Access: It grants access under the guise of authorized software.
- Remote Control: It allows for hands-on-keyboard reconnaissance and command execution.
- Evasion: It blends in with existing network traffic and legitimate processes.
- Versatility: It can be used for both ransomware deployment and cryptocurrency theft.
Future Trends: What to Expect
The exploitation of employee monitoring software is likely to continue and evolve. We can anticipate:
- Increased Sophistication: Attackers will refine their techniques for disguising malicious activity and evading detection.
- Broader Target Range: More industries and organizations will become targets, as attackers seek opportunities wherever employee monitoring software is deployed.
- New Tool Combinations: Attackers will experiment with different combinations of legitimate and malicious tools to maximize their effectiveness.
- Focus on Data Exfiltration: Beyond ransomware, data exfiltration will become an increasingly common goal, as attackers seek to profit from stolen sensitive information.
Protecting Your Organization: Mitigation Strategies
Organizations can take several steps to mitigate the risk of attacks leveraging employee monitoring software:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA on all remote access services and external-facing applications.
- Remote Access Control: Limit remote access to only those users and systems that require it.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of all third-party RMM tools and employee monitoring software.
- Process Monitoring: Monitor for unusual process execution chains and suspicious network activity.
FAQ
Q: What is “bossware”?
A: “Bossware” is a colloquial term for employee monitoring software used by employers to track employee activity.
Q: Is employee monitoring software inherently malicious?
A: No, employee monitoring software has legitimate uses, such as data loss prevention. However, it can be exploited by attackers.
Q: What is RMM?
A: RMM stands for Remote Monitoring and Management. These tools are used by IT professionals to remotely manage and maintain computer systems.
Q: How can I protect my organization from these attacks?
A: Implement MFA, control remote access, conduct regular audits, and monitor for suspicious activity.
Did you recognize? Attackers are now disguising malicious software as legitimate applications like Microsoft OneDrive to evade detection.
Pro Tip: Regularly review the permissions granted to employee monitoring software to ensure they are appropriate and necessary.
Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. Share this article with your colleagues and help raise awareness about the risks associated with “bossware.”
