North Korean hacker group using false coding tests to spread malware>
Security Magazine – Jordyn Alger
Research conducted on September 16, 2024, has uncovered malicious software associated with the North Korean hacking group, Lazarus Group
This group is targeting developers by posing as recruiters and using the names of financial firms to lure them
They use fake coding assessments to deliver malware through trusted platforms like GitHub, PyPI, and npm, embedding malicious code in legitimate libraries such as pyperclip and pyrebase
The approach is risky because it exploits developers’ trust and their routines of downloading and running code, which makes it difficult to detect the malicious activities
Since developers often have access to sensitive data and production environments, a compromise can have serious consequences
To mitigate these risks, security experts recommend:
1) **Awareness and Training**: Educate developers to verify coding tests and offers, particularly those with time constraints or unfamiliar software.
2) **Supply Chain Security**: Use software composition analysis tools to check the integrity of open-source packages.
3) **Code Auditing**: Regularly review third-party code and libraries for malicious elements.
4) **Endpoint Protection**: Implement EDR solutions to catch abnormal behavior related to malware.
5) **Zero Trust Model**: Apply zero trust principles to limit access if a developer’s system is compromised.
6) **Secure CI/CD Pipelines**: Enhance development infrastructure with robust access controls, code signing, and artifact verification.
7) **API Security**: Use dedicated API security solutions to safeguard the entire API landscape
These measures aim to enhance security posture and protect critical assets from exploitation by malicious actors like the Lazarus Group.
Link: https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/101042-north-korean-hacker-group-using-false-coding-tests-to-spread-malware