Ex-Conti and FIN7 Actors Collaborate with New Domino Backdoor

This blog was made possible through contributions from Christopher Caridi. 

IBM Security X-Force recently discovered a new malware family we have called “Domino,” which we assess was created by developers associated with the cybercriminal group that X-Force tracks as ITG14, also known as FIN7. Former members of the Trickbot/Conti syndicate which X-Force tracks as ITG23 have been using Domino since at least late February 2023 to deliver either the Project Nemesis information stealer or more capable backdoors such as Cobalt Strike.

Background

This discovery highlights the intricate nature of cooperation among cybercriminal groups and their members:

• Since late February 2023, Domino Backdoor campaigns have been observed using the Dave Loader, which we have linked to the Trickbot/Conti syndicate and its former members.
• Domino’s code shows overlap with the Lizar (aka Tirion, Diceloader) malware family, leading us to suspect that it was created by current or former ITG14 developers.
• One of Domino’s final payloads is the Project Nemesis infostealer. Project Nemesis was first advertised on the dark web in December 2021, though has been rarely used since then.

Analysis

Ex-Conti Members Deploy Domino in Recent Campaigns

Former members of ITG23 (aka the Trickbot/Conti syndicate) are likely behind recent campaigns using the Dave Loader to load Domino Backdoor and probably collaborated with current or former ITG14 developers to purchase or use the new malware family. X-Force previously assessed that Dave is one of several loaders or crypters developed by members of the Trickbot/Conti group. Although the group has fractured, many of its loaders/crypters — including Dave — have been maintained and continue to be used by factions composed of former Trickbot/Conti members, including Quantum, Royal, BlackBasta, and Zeon.

• The Dave Loader has been used recently with several Cobalt Strike samples with the watermark “206546002,” which X-Force and other security researchers — here and here — have associated with groups composed of former members of the Trickbot/Conti syndicate, including Quantum and Royal. X-Force observed Dave-loaded Cobalt Strike samples using this watermark in…