'PGMiner' Crypto-Mining Botnet Abuses PostgreSQL for Distribution

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https://www.securityweek.com/pgminer-crypto-mining-botnet-abuses-postgresql-distribution

Palo Alto Networks security researchers have discovered a Linux-based cryptocurrency-mining botnet that being delivered via PostgreSQL.

Dubbed PGMiner, the botnet exploits a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in PostgreSQL to compromise database servers and then abuse them for mining for the Monero cryptocurrency. However, the malware attempts to connect to a mining pool that is no longer active.
An open source relational database management system (RDBMS) widely used in production environments, PostgreSQL has a “copy from program” feature that was labeled as a vulnerability (CVE-2019-9193), something that the PostgreSQL security team quickly disputed.

The newly discovered PGMiner, which is believed to be the first crypto-mining botnet delivered via PostgreSQL, targets that disputed vulnerability to propagate.
The attack begins with scans for PostgreSQL servers and attempts to brute-force the password for the user “postgres”, which is present by default on the database. Next, the malware leverages the “copy from program” feature to deploy coin-mining scripts.

“PGMiner can potentially be disruptive, as PostgreSQL is widely adopted in PDMS. With additional effort, the malware could target all major operating systems. For example, PostgreSQL is available for all major platforms, including macOS, Windows and Linux. Theoretically, the malware actors could implement another version of PGMiner by targeting a new platform, such as Windows, and deliver it using PostgreSQL,” Palo Alto Networks concludes.

'PGMiner' Crypto-Mining Botnet Abuses PostgreSQL for Distribution

The PGMiner Linux-based cryptocurrency mining botnet uses PostgreSQL for distribution.

www.securityweek.com