North Korean Hacker's Infiltration Attempt: Remote Work Not FTW This Time
Here’s something interesting I read this week.
In a dystopian-like instance of a spy story, a North Korean hacker successfully impersonated an Engineer to secure remote employment within U.S.-based company KnowBe4.
This has drawn significant attention due to its implications for intel and the methods employed by the impersonator. It would be getting more attention if it wasn’t for other yet more CrowdStrike news in the field.
The entire episode, from the impersonator’s infiltration strategy to the discovery and aftermath, underscores the increasing vulnerability of organizations in this new age.
The Infiltration Tactics
The attacker, posing as a legitimate IT worker, leveraged several sophisticated techniques to gain credibility and secure the job. Initially, the impersonator created a convincing digital persona, complete with a professional profile, a resume, and forged their references.
The impersonator's application process was meticulous and well-planned.
They were able to navigate the company's hiring protocols effectively, passing background checks by using stolen information. A key point is the use of a stolen identity. Since all checks matched the valid (but stolen) identity, this passed this portion of the hiring process.
The impersonator had to have cleared the interview process, which included “four video conference based interviews on separate occasions”. This part raised some eyebrows.
They used an AI-edited photo of a stock image.
Once hired, they were shipped a laptop and granted access to the company’s resources.
Discovery and Aftermath
The attacker tampered session history files and transfered harmful files, and laoded malware. This last bit is what was detected by the EDR software.
Upon discovery, immediate measures were taken to mitigate the damage. The company revoked the access, contained the laptop, and conducted a comprehensive review of all accessed systems, and implemented stricter security protocols to prevent future incidents.
The incident prompts a broader discussion within the Cybersecurity community about the evolving tactics of state-sponsored hackers and the need for more robust identity verification processes in remote hiring.
From the original blog post
The scam is that they are actually doing the work, getting paid well, and give a large amount to North Korea to fund their illegal programs.
In this case, the infiltrator loaded the malware on their first day and got caught so I guess they kinda blew it right?
Broader Implications
This case has highlighted several flaws in the current remote work environment.
Now, I’m a big proponent on remote work, but in this particular case some flaws were shown in the hiring process.
Below we’ll go over how companies can remain safe from similar attacks like the one described here while remaining 100% remote.
It restates the necessity for companies to adopt more rigorous hiring practices, including, thorough background checks, and vetting references. Additionally, having new hires in a limited access restriction is a good control.
Furthermore, this serves as a stark reminder of the geopolitical dimensions of Cybersecurity threats. State-sponsored hackers, are becoming increasingly adept at exploiting digital platforms to achieve their objectives. These adversaries are not only targeting government institutions but also private sector companies, recognizing the potential for significant intelligence gathering.
This is not the first time something like this occurs, and won’t be the last.
Companies must stay vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their digital assets and infrastructure. This includes investing in the right technologies, fostering a culture of security awareness, and implementing controls like the ones mentioned below. By doing so, companies can better protect themselves against sophisticated adversaries and minimize their risk.
Here are some practical steps that can be taken by companies reading this infiltration story
Video Interviews to confirm identity
Verify and vet references out of band
Review access controls and authentication processes
Limit new hire access
A collaborative relationship between Security, IT & HR teams.
Foster a culture of security awareness
Wrapping Up
In summary, the successful impersonation by the North Korean hacker illustrates the sophisticated strategies employed by adversaries today. It calls for enhanced security measures, and a more proactive stance in identifying and mitigating potential threats in the workspace.
This can serve as a wake-up call for organizations to prioritize Cybersecurity and stay vigilant against AI assisted tactics and state-sponsored attackers.