The Elderwood Project Brian Bowlby CompNet

Review of material on Symantec website ( prise/media/security_response/whitepapers/th e-elderwood-project.pdf elderwood-platform-fueling-2014-s-zero-day- attacks

What is the Elderwood Project (also called the Elderwood Platform)? A set of zero-day exploits that have been engineered and packaged in a “consumer-friendly” way to allow non-technical people to easily attack their targets. Name Elderwood comes from source code variable used by the attackers

What are zero-day exploits? Exploits that exist in the initial release of a software package Often unknown to the programmer(s) May be known, but too expensive or time consuming to correct Generally, serious vulnerabilities are rare (8 identified in 2011)

Which zero-day exploits are included? Adobe Flash Player Object Type Confusion Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE ) Adobe Flash Player Remote Code Execution Vulnerability(CVE ) Microsoft Internet Explorer Same ID Property Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE ) Microsoft XML Core Services Remote Code Execution Vulnerability(CVE )

Newer packages include exploits of these vulnerabilities Microsoft Internet Explorer Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE ) Microsoft Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability (CVE ) Adobe Flash Player and AIR Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (CVE )

How are these vulnerabilities exploited? Two methods for propagating their payload – Spear-phishing Attach an infected document in an message – Watering hole attack Visitors of a web site are infected

A third possibility – a combination of the above Send target user an with a link to an infected website Link can be unique for that user

Who is Behind Elderwood? High degree of technical sophistication – able to exploit many different vulnerabilities Once packaged, less technical groups can mount actual attacks – perhaps different group for each target Attacks are targeted – no mass campaigns Attackers are patient – may lie in wait for several months before adding malicious code

Components of Elderwood

Targets Defense – Companies that manufacture components for top-tier defense contractors NGOs and human rights groups (Amnesty International) Finance, Energy, Education and Government

Recent Timeline of Elderwood Attacks

Groups using the Elderwood Platform

Takeaway Lessons Apply the latest patches/updates to your software Don’t open attachments unless you’re sure of the source Be careful when clicking on links in messages Check that URL matches “printed” one

Thanks / Questions?