ASP.NET Machine Key Mayhem: When Cyber Villains Turn Server Keys into Skeleton Keys!
Gold Melody strikes again! This Initial Access Broker is hacking into organizations using leaked ASP.NET machine keys like a digital Houdini. Their antics, involving ViewState deserialization, have got cybersecurity experts at Palo Alto’s Unit 42 seeing red. It’s a cryptographic key comedy, but the punchline isn’t funny for their unsuspecting victims.
Hot Take:
Who knew keys could open more than just doors? Gold Melody is like that sneaky neighbor who found the spare key under the doormat, except instead of borrowing sugar, they’re selling your secrets to the highest bidder. It seems ASP.NET machine keys are the new skeleton key to your digital kingdom, proving once again that it’s not just the door you need to lock, but also the key itself!
Key Points:
- Gold Melody exploits leaked ASP.NET machine keys to access organizations’ systems.
- The group, aka Prophet Spider and UNC961, targets industries like finance and technology.
- ASP.NET ViewState deserialization is their tool of choice for sneaky server infiltrations.
- Detection is tough as the attacks minimize on-disk presence and leave few forensic clues.
- Increased activity noted from late January to March 2025, including deployment of post-exploitation tools.
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