"Stargazer Ghost Network" Exploits GitHub to Promote Malware and Phishing Links
Recently, a network of approximately 3,000 fake accounts, known as the "Stargazer Ghost Network," has been identified on GitHub. Operated by a cybercriminal dubbed "Stargazer Goblin," this network has been actively promoting malware and phishing links since at least June of the previous year. By leveraging GitHub's community tools, such as "starring," "forking," and "watching" malicious pages, the network artificially increases the visibility and legitimacy of harmful repositories. These repositories offer downloads of social media, gaming, and cryptocurrency tools, primarily targeting Windows users.
The operator of the network monetizes these services by charging other hackers, providing what is referred to as "distribution as a service" by Check Point. The network has been associated with various types of ransomware and info-stealer malware, including Atlantida Stealer, Rhadamanthys, and Lumma Stealer. GitHub has taken action against some of these accounts in line with their Acceptable Use Policies, which prohibit illegal active attacks and malware campaigns.
The "Stargazer Goblin" advertises their services through cybercrime forums and a Telegram account, offering packages such as 100 stars for $10 and 500 stars for $50. It is estimated that the network may have generated up to $100,000, and there are indications that it could have been operational as early as August 2022. Furthermore, some legitimate GitHub accounts have been compromised using stolen login details, turning them into malicious repositories.
Key Takeaways
- Ghost Accounts on GitHub Promote Malware: Approximately 3,000 fake accounts manipulate GitHub pages to push malware and phishing links.
- Stargazer Goblin's Tactics: Cybercriminal utilizes GitHub tools to artificially boost the visibility of malicious pages.
- Distribution as a Service: Operator charges hackers to use their network, facilitating the spread of ransomware and info-stealer malware.
- GitHub's Response: Platform takes action against violating accounts and employs machine learning to detect suspicious activity.
- Potential for Spread: Legitimate repositories can be hijacked and turned malicious, potentially spreading through forks.
Analysis
The operation of the Stargazer Ghost Network underscores the evolving threat of cybercrime, exploiting GitHub's popularity to distribute malware. This poses a risk to GitHub's credibility and user trust, potentially impacting its stock value. The network's "distribution as a service" model highlights a new revenue stream for cybercriminals, influencing the dynamics of the malware market. GitHub's continuous battle against such threats could lead to improved security measures, impacting user experience and platform economics. In the long term, this could prompt increased collaboration between tech giants and cybersecurity firms in the fight against sophisticated cyber threats.
Did You Know?
- Ghost Accounts on GitHub Promote Malware:
- Explanation: "Ghost Accounts" are fake or bot-controlled accounts on GitHub used to manipulate the visibility and credibility of malicious repositories. By engaging with these repositories, the accounts make them appear more popular and trustworthy, thereby increasing their likelihood of being downloaded by unsuspecting users. This tactic contributes to the distribution of malware and phishing links under the guise of legitimate software.
- Stargazer Goblin's Tactics:
- Explanation: "Stargazer Goblin" is the moniker given to the cybercriminal behind the "Stargazer Ghost Network." This individual exploits GitHub's community features to artificially enhance the popularity of malicious pages, making the malware repositories appear more legitimate, and increasing their chances of being discovered and downloaded by users interested in software tools, particularly those related to social media, gaming, and cryptocurrency.
- Distribution as a Service:
- Explanation: "Distribution as a Service" (DaaS) refers to a business model where cybercriminals offer their services to other hackers for a fee. In this case, "Stargazer Goblin" provides a network of fake GitHub accounts to promote and distribute malware. By charging other hackers for these services, the operator enables the spread of various types of ransomware and info-stealer malware, effectively monetizing the distribution of malicious software.