Hidden Backdoor in CCleaner Security App Has Infected 2.3 Million People

Hidden Backdoor in CCleaner Security App Has Infected 2.3 Million People

Hackers have hidden a backdoor in a security application called CCleaner. So far it has 2 billion downloads and has infected 2.3 million people and counting.

  • Sep 18, 2017

Security researchers have discovered cyber criminals have installed a backdoor in a security application for PCs. Users of the Avast-owned CCleaners for Windows have been advised to update their software immediately.

Researchers at Cisco Talos discovered the threat on Sept. 13 after CCleaner 5.33 caused their systems to flag malicious activity. The company warned that the hack could be comparable to the NotPetya ransomware outbreak, which spread after a Ukrainian accounting app was infected.

The hacked application allows for download of further malware, such as ransomware or keyloggers, and there are fears that virtually billions could be impacted. The security app has 2 billion downloads and claims to be getting five million extra a week, making the threat even more severe.

The backdoor installed in the application would send encrypted information about the infected computer - the name of the computer, installed software and running processes - back to the hacker's server. The hackers also used what is known as a domain generation algorithm (DGA) whenever the criminal's server went down, the DGA could create new domains to receive and send stolen data. Researchers have noted that the use of a DGA shows that these hackers are very sophisticated.

Further investigation found that the CCleaner download server was hosting the backdoored app as far back as Sept. 11 and the affected version had been released on August 15. Which means for weeks the malware was spreading inside a supposedly-legitimate security software.

On Sept. 12, CCleaner released an untained version of the software, version 5.34.

Featured

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.