Cybersecurity experts have uncovered a sophisticated wave of cyber attacks targeting WordPress websites, leveraging the unsuspecting browsers of innocent site visitors. This intricate operation, documented by the team at Sucuri, marks a pivot in cybercriminal methodologies. Previously fixated on pilfering Web3 and cryptocurrency assets, attackers have now devised a more insidious strategy—injecting pernicious scripts into vulnerable WordPress sites to conduct distributed brute force attacks.
The intricacies of these attacks reveal a well-organized strategy to harness compromised sites for further exploitation. With over a thousand sites estimated to be compromised, this wave of cybercriminal activity poses a direct threat to website security.
Why it matters: The transition in cybercriminal strategies from direct financial theft to the broader compromise of digital properties signals an evolving threat and a search for more sustainable methods of exploitation.
- Mechanism of the Attack: The attack process is methodical, involving the extraction of WordPress site URLs, author usernames, and the injection of malicious scripts to brute force credentials. This process is automated and executed through the browsers of visitors to compromised sites, amplifying the attack’s reach and efficiency.
- The Role of Domain Changes in Attack Evolution: The attackers dynamically change domain names used for hosting malicious scripts, complicating efforts to track and block these threats. The registration of new domains coincides with the launch of attack waves, indicating a planned and adaptive approach to circumvent detection.
- Implications for Cybersecurity: This development serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and proactive security measures in the digital domain. By understanding the tactics employed by cybercriminals, stakeholders can better protect their digital assets and user data from unauthorized access and exploitation.
Hacked WordPress Sites Using Visitors’ Browsers For Distributed Brute Force Attacks – GBHackers
