A global operation involving law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity firms resulted in the takedown of the infrastructure of the Lumma malware, a notorious information-stealing tool favored by cybercriminals targeting various industries.
Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit highlighted Lumma’s capabilities, such as stealing sensitive data like passwords, credit card details, and cryptocurrency wallets, leading to financial losses and disruptions in critical services.
The FBI revealed that their investigation into Lumma since September 2023 uncovered around 10 million infections and identified numerous paying customers utilizing the malware for illicit activities, with subscription tiers ranging from $250 to $1,000 per month.
Microsoft, in collaboration with Europol, the U.S., and Japan, took down Lumma’s technical infrastructure, disconnecting the malevolent tool from its victims. This operation, sanctioned by a court order, resulted in the removal of about 2,300 malicious domains supporting Lumma.
The U.S. Justice Department, with support from Japan and Europol, seized domains used by Lumma operators to distribute the malware, hindering their ability to continue their criminal activities. Despite initial domain seizures, Lumma operators swiftly set up new domains, prompting further takedowns by authorities.
Matthew Galeotti from the U.S. Justice Department stressed Lumma’s role in facilitating various crimes, including bank fraud and cryptocurrency theft, underscoring the need to dismantle its infrastructure to protect victims from further harm.
Lumma, known for its ease of distribution and evasive detection methods, has been a prevalent infostealer in the cybercriminal underworld since 2022, with its creator, “Shamel,” marketing the malware on underground forums to a broad clientele.
Various industries, including gaming, education, finance, and healthcare, have fallen victim to Lumma’s data-stealing capabilities, with cyber experts warning of its usage in cyberattacks on prominent entities like PowerSchool.
Despite the disruption of Lumma’s infrastructure, experts anticipate a possible resurgence of the malware, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to track and attribute cybercriminal activities to prevent future malicious operations.
Microsoft and other cybersecurity firms have published technical advisories to aid infected victims in remedying their systems, aiming to mitigate the impact of Lumma’s widespread infiltration across multiple sectors.
While the takedown operation marks a significant blow to Lumma’s operations, authorities remain vigilant, recognizing the potential for perpetrators to regroup and emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to combat cyber threats and safeguard digital ecosystems.
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