Security information

Emotet is malware that is often infected by opening Word files attached to emails.

It was seized and stopped by EUROPOL (European Organization of the Criminal Police) on 1/27/2021, but there are signs of resumption of activity since around 11/14/2021.

The attached files are not only Word and Excel files, but also zip files with passwords.

Emotet malware, which was popular in Japan from the end of August 2019 to January 2020, seems to have temporarily resumed its activities in Japan since July 2020. Please be aware that activities may become more active in the future.

When infected with Emotet, not only is the e-mail information of Outlook (authentication information to the e-mail server, e-mail address of the inbox, subject etc.) stolen, but also other malware (Qbot, TrickBot, Ryuk ransomware, Ursnif banking malware etc.) ) May cause additional infections.

The stolen email information may be used to scatter emails to spread infection.

• Regarding the resumption of email distribution activities that lead to infection with the malware Emotet (JPCERT/CC)

Please note that there are various subject lines for emails, and some may take the form of replies to stolen emails.

If you receive such an email, please do not open it and contact the Center for Science Information.

If you open it and activate the content, immediately disconnect from the network.

Please check if the antivirus software on your device is working properly.

【Attention】
For the emails scattered,there are those that take the form of replying by quoting stolen mail in the body (reply type), and those that embed the stolen name/email address etc. in the subject and signature of the body.
Please be careful.

It has been confirmed that there is no attached file and a link is written in the email body.
Please be careful not to access the link destination as the Word file etc. of the Emotet downloader will be downloaded when you click the link.

！！！Do not run macros in Word files with macros (do not press enable content)！！！

【Information about Emotet】

• Alert regarding malware Emotet infection (JPCERT/CC)
• About emails targeted for infection by a virus called "Emotet"(IPA)

Sender

(People who have exchanged in the past)

Example of subject

Request to send invoice (number etc.)
This is the invoice. (Numbers, etc.)
Re: (Subject of previously received email)

Example of attachment file name

(Alphabet and numbers) Please send invoice. doc
(Alphabet or number) This is the invoice. .doc
(Alphabets and numbers) Notification of payment amount and issuance of invoice.doc

Dear Faculty and Staff

This is a notice from the Information Network Service Section.

During the year-end and New Year holidays, security incidents are more likely to occur due to the lack of system management.
As the volume of e-mails checked will increase, please be especially careful of suspicious e-mails after the holidays, 

In recent years, A number of cyber-attacks confirmed by fake e-mails sent to Japanese academics, think tank researchers, and the press, pretending to be requests for lectures or interviews, etc., and leading to be compromised by executing malware, then attempt to steal the contents of emails and computer files exchanged by these individuals.

For details, please refer to the information provided by the National Police Agency's Cybercrime Countermeasures Project.
 ( https://www.npa.go.jp/cyber/ )

Our university introduced an e-mail targeted attack countermeasure system for full-time faculty and administrative staff.
Suspicious e-mails are automatically quarantined and a notification e-mail is sent at 15:00 daily, 
so please make sure to check the contents.
 https://web.sic.shibaura-it.ac.jp/email_security

If you receive a suspicious email, please contact SIT-CSIRT.
SIT-CSIRT (Shibaura Institute of Technology Computer Security Incident Response Team)
Email: csirt@shibaura-it.ac.jp

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff

Warning from the Information Network Service Division

We have received many reports of suspicious Emotet malware email from several people today.
We announced this on November 25 last year, but we would like to ask you to check again.
Please also check the security information on the Center for Science Information website.

1. Warning against phishing e-mails

　Recently, there have been many cases of phishing e-mails aimed at fraudulently obtaining account information for webmail services.
We have also received reports of suspicious emails from users of our university.
If you receive a suspicious email, please be careful not to access the URL in the text.
If you receive a suspicious e-mail, please do not access the URL in the text, and do not open any attachments.

Please check the security information on the Center For Science Information website.

Example of subject line:
メールプラン、セキュリティ強化第2弾リリースのお知らせ
【重要】2021年XX月XX日（X）のサービス復旧のお知らせ。
【重要】使用制限によるサービス停止のお知らせ- {メールアドレス}
【重要】サービス停止のお知らせ - {メールアドレス}
【お知らせ】メール配信通知 - {メールアドレス}
[メール接続サービスの終了について_shibaura-it.ac.jp] - {メールアドレス}
[からの通知_Shibaura-it]_{メールアドレス}
【バージョンアップ】メンテナンス作業のお知らせ
【重要】sic.shibaura-it.ac.jp メール送信機能停止のお知らせ

If you receive a suspicious email, please contact SIT-CSIRT.
SIT-CSIRT (Shibaura Institute of Technology Computer Security Incident Response Team)
Email: csirt@shibaura-it.ac.jp

2. Warning about Emotet malware email
The Emotet malware was seized and stopped by EUROPOL (European Criminal Police Organization) on January 27, 2021.
However, it has tended to resume its activities since around November 14, 2021.
It seems that emails targeting Japan are also being sent.

For more information about the Emotet malware, please check the security information on the Center For Science Information website.

If you receive a suspicious email, please contact SIT-CSIRT.
SIT-CSIRT (Shibaura Institute of Technology Computer Security Incident Response Team)

Email: csirt@shibaura-it.ac.jp 3.

3. Warning about attacks on the CMS of web servers
If you are running a web server in your laboratory and using CMS (WordPress, Movable Type, etc.)
Please check for suspicious access.
In Japan, there have been cases of illegal content being embedded, phishing e-mails being sent out in large numbers, and unauthorized server intrusions.
Please take measures such as managing passwords for the web servers you use, updating vulnerable software, and stopping unnecessary services.

If you find any suspicious access, please contact SIT-CSIRT.
SIT-CSIRT (Shibaura Institute of Technology Computer Security Incident Response Team)

Email: csirt@shibaura-it.ac.jp

There have been reports of suspicious e-mails being sent from your own e-mail address.

The sender's email address may have been spoofed to match that of the recipient.

Reference Information(Japanese):

• JC3 - 暗号資産（ビットコイン）を要求する脅迫メールに注意

There are many different subject lines, as shown below. (Japanese)

• デバイスがハッキングされました
  (Your device has been hacked.)
• You have an outstanding payment.
• 申し訳ありませんが
  (I'm sorry, sir.)
• アカウントからのお支払い。未払いがあります
  (Payment from your account. You have an outstanding debt.)
• You have outstanding debt.
• こんにちは〜！
  (Hello~!)
• 幸運を祈ります!
  (Good luck!)
• お支払いを待っています
  (I'm waiting for your payment.)
• メールを確認してください！
  (Please check your email!)
• トランザクションを終了します。
  (Close the transaction.)
• 口座からのお支払い
  (Payment from your account)
• メールをご確認ください！
  (Please check your email!)

These are threatening or fraudulent emails. If you receive such an email, please discard it.

Example 1(Japanese):

それが起こったのです。ゼロクリックの脆弱性と特別なコードを使用して、Webサイトを介してあなたのデバイスをハッキングしました。私の正確なスキルを必要とする複雑なソフトウェア。このエクスプロイトは、特別に作成された一意のコードを使用してチェーンで機能し、このようなタイプの攻撃は検出されません。Webサイトにアクセスしただけで感染してしまいましたが、残念なことに、私にとっては非常に容易いことです。あなたは標的にされたのではなく、そのWebページを介してハッキングされた多くの不運な人々の一人になったのです。これはすべて8月に起こりました。そのため、情報収集には十分な時間がありました。次に何が起こるかはもうご存知だと思います。数ヶ月間、私のソフトウェアは、あなたの習慣、あなたが訪問するウェブサイト、ウェブ検索、あなたが送るテキストなどの情報を静かに収集していました。他にもまだまだありますが、これがどれほど深刻であるかを理解していただくために、いくつかの理由を挙げました。
(以下省略)

 

That's what happened. Using a zero-click vulnerability and special code, I hacked your device through a website. Complex software that requires my exact skills. This exploit works in a chain using a specially created unique code and this type of attack is undetectable. just visiting the website infected me, unfortunately it is very easy for me. You were not targeted, but became one of the many unlucky people who were hacked through that web page. This all happened in August. Therefore, there was plenty of time to gather information. I think you already know what will happen next. For months, my software has been quietly collecting information about your habits, websites you visit, web searches, texts you send, and so on. There are many more, but I have listed a few reasons to help you understand just how serious this is.
(Omitted below)

Example 2(Japanese):

それが起こったのです。ゼロクリックの脆弱性と特別なコードを使用して、Webサイトを介してあなたのデバイスをハッキングしました。 私の正確なスキルを必要とする複雑なソフトウェア。 このエクスプロイトは、特別に作成された一意のコードを使用してチェーンで機能し、このようなタイプの攻撃は検出されません。 Webサイトにアクセスしただけで感染してしまいましたが、残念なことに、私にとっては非常に容易いことです。 あなたは標的にされたのではなく、そのWebページを介してハッキングされた多くの不運な人々の一人になったのです。 これはすべて8月に起こりました。そのため、情報収集には十分な時間がありました。 次に何が起こるかはもうご存知だと思います。 数ヶ月間、私のソフトウェアは、あなたの習慣、あなたが訪問するウェブサイト、ウェブ検索、あなたが送るテキストなどの情報を静かに収集していました。 他にもまだまだありますが、これがどれほど深刻であるかを理解していただくために、いくつかの理由を挙げました。 明確に言うと、私のソフトウェアはあなたのカメラとマイクも制御しました。
(以下省略)

 

That's what happened. Using a zero-click vulnerability and special code, I hacked your device through a website. Complex software that requires my exact skills. This exploit works in a chain using a specially created unique code and this type of attack is undetectable. I got infected just by visiting a web site, unfortunately, it is very easy for me. You were not targeted, but became one of the many unlucky people who were hacked through that web page. This all happened in August. Therefore, there was plenty of time to gather information. I think you already know what will happen next. For months, my software has been quietly collecting information about your habits, websites you visit, web searches, texts you send, and so on. There are many more, but I have listed a few reasons to help you understand how serious this is. To be clear, my software also took control of your camera and microphone.
(Omitted below)

例3:

"Let's resolve it like this: All you need is $1750 USD transfer to my account (bitcoin equivalent based on exchange rate during your transfer), and after the transaction is successful, I will proceed to delete all that kinky stuff without delay. Afterwards, we can pretend that we have never met before. In addition, I assure you that all the harmful software will be deleted from all your devices. Be sure, I keep my promises." I think that about sums it up.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff

Warning from the Information Network Service Division

We would like to inform you that we have received three reminders from the Cyber Security Division of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

1. Warning against phishing e-mails

　Recently, there have been many cases of phishing e-mails aimed at fraudulently obtaining account information for webmail services.
We have also received reports of suspicious emails from users of our university.
If you receive a suspicious email, please be careful not to access the URL in the text.
If you receive a suspicious e-mail, please do not access the URL in the text, and do not open any attachments.

Please check the security information on the Center For Science Information website.

Example of subject line:
メールプラン、セキュリティ強化第2弾リリースのお知らせ
【重要】2021年XX月XX日（X）のサービス復旧のお知らせ。
【重要】使用制限によるサービス停止のお知らせ- {メールアドレス}
【重要】サービス停止のお知らせ - {メールアドレス}
【お知らせ】メール配信通知 - {メールアドレス}
[メール接続サービスの終了について_shibaura-it.ac.jp] - {メールアドレス}
[からの通知_Shibaura-it]_{メールアドレス}
【バージョンアップ】メンテナンス作業のお知らせ

【重要】sic.shibaura-it.ac.jp メール送信機能停止のお知らせ

If you receive a suspicious email, please contact SIT-CSIRT.
SIT-CSIRT (Shibaura Institute of Technology Computer Security Incident Response Team)
Email: csirt@shibaura-it.ac.jp

2. Warning about Emotet malware email
The Emotet malware was seized and stopped by EUROPOL (European Criminal Police Organization) on January 27, 2021.
However, it has tended to resume its activities since around November 16, 2021.
It seems that emails targeting Japan are also being sent.

For more information about the Emotet malware, please check the security information on the Center For Science Information website.

If you receive a suspicious email, please contact SIT-CSIRT.
SIT-CSIRT (Shibaura Institute of Technology Computer Security Incident Response Team)

Email: csirt@shibaura-it.ac.jp 3.


3. Warning about attacks on the CMS of web servers
If you are running a web server in your laboratory and using CMS (WordPress, Movable Type, etc.)
Please check for suspicious access.
At other universities, there have been cases of illegal content being embedded, phishing e-mails being sent out in large numbers, and unauthorized server intrusions.
Please take measures such as managing passwords for the web servers you use, updating vulnerable software, and stopping unnecessary services.

If you find any suspicious access, please contact SIT-CSIRT.
SIT-CSIRT (Shibaura Institute of Technology Computer Security Incident Response Team)

Email: csirt@shibaura-it.ac.jp