Certain threats out there are dangerous enough to cause major entities to warn against them. In particular, a recent malware by the name of VPNFilter has been deemed dangerous and prevalent enough that the FBI has addressed it. Since the malware targets routers (probably not your first guess in terms of possible vulnerabilities), it has considerable potential to become a nuisance for your organization.
Understanding VPNFilter
VPNFilter is a malware that hides in your router and remains even if you restart the device. VPNFilter is known for prioritizing devices in Ukraine, but you should never count on the trend to protect you from known threats. It’s thought that the VPNFilter malware has its roots in a group called Sofacy, and the malware operates in three basic steps.
The first step for this malware is that it installs itself on the device and remains there even in the event that the router is rebooted or turned off. Second, the malware will install certain permissions on the router that allows it to change settings, manage files, and execute commands. The router can then proceed to brick itself, making it much more difficult for your organization to keep operations moving along. In its final stages, this malware lets a hacker see the data packets that are being sent to and from your organization’s device, meaning that they can then also issue commands and communicate with the device via a Tor web browser.
This threat was specifically mentioned by the FBI because of its persistence. While resetting the device will disable the second and third steps, the first will remain, creating an endless cycle if you don’t do anything about it.
Is Your Router Affected?
Even though not all routers are affected, the number is still quite considerable. Here is a list of affected brands:
- Asus
- D-Link
- Huawei
- Linksys
- MikroTik
- Netgear
- TP-Link
- Ubiquiti
- Upvel
- ZTE
If you would like a more comprehensive list of all affected devices, Symantec has a list on their website: https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/vpnfilter-iot-malware
How You Fix It
There is an easy fix to VPNFilter, and it’s to perform a factory reset on your router. This eliminates anything that’s currently installed from the first stage of VPNFilter’s attack. Of course, it’s also worth mentioning that the manufacturer of the router may have also administered a patch or security update resolving the vulnerability, so be sure to check for that as well so that it will never be an issue again.
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