Description

A threat actor named Stargazer Goblin has set up over 3,000 fake GitHub accounts in a Distribution-as-a-Service (DaaS) scheme, earning $100,000 by spreading information-stealing malware such as Atlantida Stealer, Rhadamanthys, RisePro, Lumma Stealer, and RedLine. Check Point identified this network, called "Stargazers Ghost Network," which has been active since August 2022. These bogus accounts use tactics like starring, forking, and subscribing to repositories to appear legitimate. The network, resilient to takedown efforts, categorizes accounts to handle different aspects of the scheme. Phishing repository templates, images for phishing, and malware pushers work in tandem to maintain operations. If GitHub bans a malicious account, a new link is quickly provided, ensuring continuity. Some accounts may have been compromised using stealer malware. One campaign involved a GitHub link leading to a PHP script on a WordPress site, which delivered Atlantida Stealer via a PowerShell script. The DaaS extends beyond GitHub, with similar operations on platforms like Discord, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. Check Point highlights the sophistication of Stargazer Goblin's operation, which leverages GitHub’s legitimacy to avoid detection and quickly recovers from disruptions. Recently, unknown actors have targeted GitHub repositories, wiping contents and demanding ransom via Telegram. They use phishing emails to trick developers into authorizing a malicious OAuth app. Additionally, Truffle Security's advisory warns of a Cross Fork Object Reference (CFOR) vulnerability on GitHub. This flaw allows access to sensitive data from deleted or private repositories if a public fork exists, posing significant security risks. Organizations are urged to secure their repositories against this vulnerability.