Symantec Discovers ’Regin’ Spy Code Lurking on Computer Networks
▻http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/symantec-discovers-spy-code-lurking-on-computer-networks
The security company indicated that a powerful program that could only have been created by a “nation state” has been finding its way into computer systems for six years.
“In the world of malware threats, only a few rare examples can truly be considered groundbreaking and almost peerless,” Symantec wrote. “What we have seen in Regin is just such a class of malware.”
Second reference (cited in the Guardian article):
Secret Malware in European Union Attack Linked to U.S. and British Intelligence
▻https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/11/24/secret-regin-malware-belgacom-nsa-gchq
Researchers Uncover Government Spy Tool Used to Hack Telecoms and Belgian Cryptographer
▻http://www.wired.com/2014/11/mysteries-of-the-malware-regin
Dubbed “Regin” by Microsoft
But perhaps the most significant aspect of Regin is its ability to target GSM base stations of cellular networks. The malicious arsenal includes a payload that Kaspersky says was used in 2008 to steal the usernames and passwords of system administrators of a telecom somewhere in the Middle East.
Regin: Nation-state ownage of GSM networks
(contains detailed explanations)
▻http://securelist.com/blog/research/67741/regin-nation-state-ownage-of-gsm-networks
Sur Seenthis:
►http://seenthis.net/messages/315454
’Regin’ malware comes from western intelligence agency, say experts | Technology | The Guardian
▻http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/24/regin-malware-western-surveillance-technology
‘Usual suspects’ Russia and China thought to be in the clear as attention focuses on US, UK and Israeli agencies