Gozi

Gozi also known as Ursnif is a banking trojan that has been targeting financial institutions globally since 2007. It steals sensitive info like banking credentials and has evolved over the years to bypass security. Its adaptability is why it’s a persistent threat in the cyber world.

Key Insights

First discovered in 2007 Gozi was a simple spyware and has evolved into a complex banking trojan. Over the years it has added features like keylogging, web injection, and remote access so attackers can monitor and control victims' online activities. This has made Gozi effective against modern security defenses.

Distribution

Gozi is distributed through phishing emails with malicious attachments or links. Once the victim interacts with these elements the malware is downloaded and installed on the system. Also, it’s spread through exploit kits that exploit software vulnerabilities, making it wider spread.

Impact on Victims

Once infected Gozi operates silently to capture sensitive data including login credentials and personal info. This data is then sent to command and control servers controlled by the attackers. The stolen data is used for financial fraud and victims lose money individually and organizationally.

Known Variants

Gozi has spawned several variants over the years including Dreambot, IAP, RM2, RM3 and LDR4. These variants have added new features and improvements showing the malware is still evolving and the threat actors are trying to make it more effective.

Mitigation Strategies

Implement email filtering to detect and block phishing.
Keep software and systems up to date to patch vulnerabilities.
Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware with real-time scans.
Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited emails and attachments

Targeted Industries or Sectors

Gozi’s primary targets are financial institutions and their customers. By targeting the banking sector it harvests credentials that can access financial accounts. But its reach extends to other industries where financial transactions happen so it’s a versatile tool for cybercriminals.

Associated Threat Actors

Specific threat actors associated with Gozi are cybercriminal groups that do financial fraud. The malware is offered as Crimeware-as-a-Service (CaaS) so various actors can use it for their attacks. This has made it widespread and hard to attribute attacks to a single group.