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I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware

orchidfiles.com

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Re: I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware

#3
I uploaded several of these virus-infected archives to VirusTotal. In each archive, under the “Network Communication” section, the virus makes requests to three resources: a GET request to a website to retrieve IP information, a POST request to a Polygon RPC node (drpc), and a POST request to what appears to be the virus creator’s server. I can only assume that the scheme is designed to steal cryptocurrency.

Re: I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware

#5
> Another month later, GitHub support sent me an email saying that they had removed these repositories.

I recently discovered a campaign where somebody was forking very small but useful codebases, and replacing the distributable with some malware, and making the repository have better SEO with changes to the README. My case was a simple macOS application that could be used to control some Phillips LED light strip.

I reported it to GitHub and it was removed within 24 hours.

I discovered another repository like this, and they still haven't replied since (one month).

No clue how their malware reports work. I'm surprised they don't partner with some antivirus company to at least scan "releases" for malware (not repositories themselves)

Re: I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware

#6
It happened a few times to me that I'd find some very well constructed scam scheme (cryptocurrency washing systems, web platform/phishing scams), then I'd research deeper into it to see how it worked, just to ultimately feel powerless not knowing what to do with the information.

Re: I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware

#7
I uploaded a sample found here (https://github.com/alexct142010-cell/McBackuper ) to Genus Codes (need an account): https://genuscodes.com/results/7ad4b911d05a12f91ab27ba3baa35... Seems to be related to the disco trojan family, by way of normalized function matching at 50% to malicious file https://genuscodes.com/results/eddbc29db4677e00c1a901aadbadb... and a normalized 50% match to https://genuscodes.com/results/fdb6cff68a2a8c08779d64a7cf61d...

Virustotal link: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/fdb6cff68a2a8c08779d64a7...

Re: I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware

#8
I have to say, the principle that open-source software can't do anything nefarious because the source is open just hasn't held up for a lot of reasons -- including that nobody has the time to inspect the code, let alone ensure that it matches the binaries; and also that GitHub has become a distribution hub for software used by lots of people with no ability or interest in auditing the software they use.

Re: I found 10k GitHub repositories distributing Trojan malware

#9

I have to say, the principle that open-source software can't do anything nefarious because the source is open just hasn't held up for a lot of reasons -- including that nobody has the time to inspect the code, let alone ensure that it matches the binaries; and also that GitHub has become a distribution hub for software used by lots of people with no ability or interest in auditing the software they use.

> the principle that open-source software can't do anything nefarious because the source is open just hasn't held up for a lot of reasons

You've been living on such a principle? That sounds insane, why would something not be nefarious just because you can read the code?

The way I was "raised" by FOSS greybeards screaming at me through web forums, was that any software available on 3rd party websites anyone can upload anything to, will be filled with viruses and malware, and this was early 2000s. Surely people still advocate for this mindset today, when it's even more likely?

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