There have been recent warnings of a worm dubbed Raspberry Robin which is being used to deploy a malware downloader on networks. Here’s why you should remain vigilant…

Since publishing the initial intelligence advisory warning, Microsoft has associated the use of Raspberry Robin to an access broker tracked by Microsoft as DEV-0206.

An access broker gains an initial foothold on to a company’s digital estate and sells the access to other threat actors for a fee.

Upon infection, Microsoft researchers discovered ‘FakeUpdates’ malware are also being delivered via the Raspberry Robin infection.

Following FakeUpdates activity on an affected system, actions resembling those linked to DEV-0243 pre-ransomware were observed.

DEV-0243 is Microsoft’s moniker for Evil Corp, a Russian Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group believed to be behind some of the largest bank fraud and computer hacking schemes of the past decade.

Currently, it is too early to say whether Evil Corp is associated with, or responsible for, Raspberry Robin.

Given the recent suggestion of Russian links and ongoing geo-political issues, it is likely that the risk posed to UK organisations will increase over the coming weeks and months.

As initial access is still believed to be via infected removable media for Raspberry Robin, organisations are encouraged to review and update policies regarding the use of such devices.

Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).