In today's fast-evolving digital world, cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and relentless. One of the latest threats making headlines is CeranaKeeper, a Chinese-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group. Their target? Southeast Asia, and they’re particularly aggressive in Thailand, where they’ve been siphoning off sensitive government data. Let’s break down this new threat, how it operates, and most importantly, how organizations can protect themselves from falling victim.
Who is CeranaKeeper?
CeranaKeeper is the new kid on the block when it comes to Chinese-backed cyber threat actors. Since their emergence in early 2022, they have been orchestrating data exfiltration attacks on government institutions, particularly in Thailand. Using advanced techniques, they infiltrate systems, harvest sensitive data, and deliver it to support Chinese government espionage.
What sets them apart? CeranaKeeper uses legitimate file-sharing services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and GitHub to execute their data theft, hiding their activities in plain sight.
Brute force to break in, and cheetah stealth to linger
A brute-force attack involves bombarding a system with continuous attempts to guess login credentials, such as usernames and passwords. Attackers use automated tools that can try thousands of combinations in a very short amount of time. Once they hit the right combination, they gain access to the system.
For CeranaKeeper, this technique is particularly useful when targeting domain controllers, which manage authentication requests within a network. By cracking the domain controller’s defenses, they get the keys to the entire network.
Why Domain Control Servers?
Domain control servers are critical. They govern how all other computers and devices within a network interact with each other, handling logins, permissions, and access to resources. By compromising this server, CeranaKeeper gains:
Full network access: They can now move laterally across the network, exploring different systems.
Administrator privileges: Once they breach the domain controller, they can access accounts with administrative privileges, giving them complete control over the systems.
Access to sensitive data: With these elevated privileges, they can move deeper into the network, accessing confidential files, email servers, and databases.
Tools of the Trade: Toneshell and More
Once CeranaKeeper gains a foothold in the network, they deploy their custom toolset to ensure they can stay hidden, extract data, and disable security measures that would otherwise detect them.
Toneshell Backdoor: This is their primary method for maintaining access to the compromised network. A backdoor is a type of malware that allows remote control of the system, letting CeranaKeeper re-enter the network whenever they want, even after defenses are patched.
Credential-Dumping Tool: Once they have administrative access, they don’t stop there. They use a tool to extract login credentials from other accounts within the network. This way, they can spread across different systems undetected, appearing as legitimate users.
Security Disabling via Legitimate Software: Perhaps the most disturbing element of their attack is their ability to abuse legitimate drivers to disable security protections. In the case of the Thai government breach, CeranaKeeper used an Avast driver—a legitimate security product—to turn off antivirus protections, further embedding themselves in the network while evading detection. This technique, known as Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD), allows them to manipulate trusted software to avoid being flagged as malicious.
Once Inside: With the Stealth of a Cheetah
With control of the domain servers and credentials in hand, CeranaKeeper becomes virtually invisible within the network. They can:
Modify system settings to ensure their tools go undetected.
Create new administrator accounts for future access.
Disable logging and monitoring features, so even network admins may not realize their system has been compromised.
At this stage, CeranaKeeper is not in a rush. APT groups are known for their long-term persistence. They patiently watch, collect data, and escalate their privileges, setting up multiple avenues for data exfiltration and future attacks.
A Data Thief with Juicy Loots
When it comes to stealing data, CeranaKeeper doesn't hold back. Their goal is simple: harvest as many files as possible. Government institutions are particularly vulnerable, as the group leverages popular platforms like Pastebin, Dropbox, and OneDrive to move massive amounts of information. These platforms are widely used, which makes detecting their malicious activity even harder.
Their ability to evolve quickly and stay ahead of detection technologies makes them a formidable opponent for any cybersecurity defense team.
How to Build a Cyber Wall Against CeranaKeeper
While CeranaKeeper is a persistent and evolving threat, there are proactive steps organizations can take to protect themselves:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Always enable MFA to make it harder for attackers to access accounts, even with stolen credentials.
Admin Access Restrictions: Limit the number of users with administrative privileges, applying the principle of least privilege.
Regular Security Updates: Keep all systems and software up to date to patch known vulnerabilities.
EDR/SIEM Monitoring: Implement Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to monitor suspicious activity.
Data Encryption: Ensure all sensitive data is encrypted, making it useless even if stolen.
Phishing Awareness Training: Regularly train employees to recognize phishing attempts, which are often the entry point for attacks.
Strong Incident Response Plans: Prepare for the worst with a solid incident response plan that includes backups and network segmentation to contain the damage.
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