Summary:
Evasive Panda, a China-aligned APT group, has been observed utilizing a post-compromise toolset named CloudScout to target government and religious institutions in Taiwan between 2022 and 2023. CloudScout leverages stolen web session cookies, provided by the MgBot malware framework, to access and exfiltrate data from various cloud services, including Google Drive, Gmail, and Outlook. The toolset employs C# modules to execute data theft operations which are deployed by C++ plugins within MgBot, enabling automated and efficient data extraction without requiring user credentials, making it an effective tool for cyberespionage. CloudScout's modular architecture enables it to adapt to different cloud services and target specific user accounts. Researchers have identified three primary modules, each designed to target a specific cloud service and anticipate the existence of additional modules. The toolset's capabilities, including seamless integration with MgBot, automated data extraction from email and Google Drive, and targeted attacks via emulating authenticated user sessions with stolen cookies emphasize the sophistication of Evasive Panda's operations and the increasing threat of cloud-based cyberattacks on corporate environments. Its CommonUtilities package provides essential functions for HTTP requests and cookie parsing, enhancing its adaptability to various cloud services.

Security Officer Comments:
The emergence of CloudScout underscores the evolving tactics employed by APT groups like Evasive Panda. By exploiting stolen cookies to bypass multi-factor authentication, the attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The toolset's modular design and automated capabilities demonstrate a high level of sophistication, enabling efficient and stealthy data exfiltration. Organizations, particularly those in targeted regions like Taiwan, should prioritize robust security measures to protect their cloud environments. These measures include strong password hygiene, multi-factor authentication, regular security awareness training, and advanced threat detection and response solutions. Additionally, organizations should be vigilant for signs of compromise and promptly investigate any suspicious activity. By staying informed about the latest threat landscape and implementing effective security practices, organizations can mitigate the risks posed by advanced adversaries like Evasive Panda.

Suggested Corrections:
IOCs and samples are published on GitHub here.

Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.

Update and patch systems promptly: This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk-based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.

Test your incident response plan: There's nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?

Check Your Security Team's Work: Use a 3rd party pen tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.

Segment your networks: There's been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It's critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks, and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure ICS networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety-critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.

Train employees: Email remains the most vulnerable attack vector for organizations. Users should be trained on how to avoid and spot phishing emails. Multi-factor authentication can help prevent malicious access to sensitive services.

Link(s):
https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/eset-research/cloudscout-evasive-panda-scouting-cloud-services/

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/evasive-panda-cloudscout-taiwan/