AZORult

Posted: December 24, 2023

from Cybersecurity Glossary

Aliases:

PuffStealer, Rultazo

Aliases:

Trojan

Platform:

Windows

Variants:

There are a few variants of AZORult, each with different capabilities that are often updated to evade detection.

Damage:

Installing Other Malware, Stealing Usernames And Passwords, Credit Card Details, And Crypto Wallets.

Risk Level:

High

Initially detected in 2016, AZORult is a trojan meticulously crafted to pilfer financial information, with a particular focus on targeting cryptocurrency users. This malware is widely believed to be the creation of Russian cybercriminals, as evidenced by its prevalent distribution on Russian underground hacking forums. Certain variants of AZORult can establish a remote desktop connection with the infected system, providing attackers with complete surveillance capabilities over their victims.

Possible symptoms

Unusual system behavior, such as slow performance and unexpected crashes.
Anomalies in network traffic, especially increased data transfer to unknown locations.
Unauthorized access or changes in system settings.
Cryptocurrency wallets or sensitive financial information being accessed without user authorization.

Sources of the infection

Malicious email attachments containing infected documents or executables.
Compromised websites hosting exploit kits that target vulnerabilities in the user's system.
Drive-by downloads from malicious websites when the user visits them.
Social engineering techniques, such as phishing campaigns that trick users into downloading and executing the malware.
Exploiting unpatched software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the system.

Overview

AZORult, also known as PuffStealer or Rultazo, is a notorious trojan recognized for its adeptness in stealing data and cryptocurrency. The damage potential of this malware extends to installing other malicious software, as well as pilfering usernames, passwords, credit card details, and crypto wallets.

Initially discovered in 2016, AZORult is meticulously designed to target financial information, with a specific emphasis on cryptocurrency users. Believed to be the creation of Russian cybercriminals, it is prominently distributed on Russian underground hacking forums. Some variants of AZORult possess the capability to establish a remote desktop connection, granting attackers complete surveillance control over the compromised systems.

There are several variants of AZORult, each regularly updated to evade detection. Symptoms of infection include unusual system behavior, anomalies in network traffic, unauthorized access or changes in system settings, and unauthorized access to cryptocurrency wallets or sensitive financial information.

Sources of infection include malicious email attachments, compromised websites with exploit kits, drive-by downloads from malicious websites, social engineering techniques such as phishing campaigns, and exploiting unpatched software vulnerabilities.

If you suspect your system is infected with AZORult, immediate action is crucial. Isolate the infected machine, run a Gridinsoft Anti-Malware scan, change all passwords (especially financial and cryptocurrency-related), and monitor accounts for suspicious activities.

Preventing AZORult infections requires proactive measures. Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches, use reliable antivirus and anti-malware solutions, avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, regularly back up important data to an external, secure location, and use strong, unique passwords with consideration for two-factor authentication.

🤔 What to do?

If you suspect your system is infected with AZORult, take immediate action:

Isolate the infected machine from the network to prevent further data theft or spread.
Run a Gridinsoft Anti-Malware scan to detect and remove the AZORult trojan.
Change all passwords, especially those related to financial accounts and cryptocurrencies.
Monitor your accounts for any suspicious activities and report unauthorized transactions.

🛡️ Prevention

To prevent AZORult infections, follow these measures:

Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches.
Use a reliable antivirus and anti-malware solution and keep it updated.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Regularly back up your important data to an external, secure location.
Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts, and consider using two-factor authentication.