Hackers turn to Prometheus to deliver ransomware threats to victims
Campo Loader, IcedID, QBot, SocGholish, and Buer Loader all served up ransomware attacks on US government agencies.


Security researchers have discovered a malware-distribution service hackers use to deliver a multitude of ransomware threats to victims.
Researchers at Group-IB first observed the service in the spring of 2021. An unusual pattern of a downloader's distribution, previously described by researchers at Unit 42 and McAfee, unearthed a new technique designed to hide documents containing malicious links from web scanners' radars.
Group-IB’s researchers found a similar pattern also helps distribute malware, such as Campo Loader, IcedID, QBot, SocGholish, and Buer Loader. They then discovered at least 3,000 targets of separate malware campaigns using the same scheme.
Further analysis established the two most active campaigns. The first campaign targeted individuals in Belgium, and the second one aimed for companies, corporations, universities, and government organizations in the US.
Researchers said they have handed over evidence of identified Prometheus TDS targets and affected companies to the US, German, and Belgian CERTs.
Researchers concluded hackers carried out these campaigns using the same malware-as-a-service solution. Researchers then found a sale notice for a service designed to distribute malicious files and redirect users to phishing and malicious sites on the dark web. This service is named Prometheus TDS (Traffic Direction System).
The Prometheus TDS service distributes malicious files and redirects visitors to phishing and malicious sites. It has an administrative panel, where an attacker configures the necessary parameters for a malicious campaign: downloading malicious files and configuring restrictions on users' geolocation, browser version, and operating system.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
RELATED RESOURCE
How to reduce the risk of phishing and ransomware
Top security concerns and tips for mitigation
“To prevent victims of malicious campaigns from interacting with the administrative panel directly, which may result in the attacker's server being disclosed and blocked, Prometheus TDS uses third-party infected websites that act as a middleman between the attacker's administrative panel and the user,” said researchers.
The service has operated since August 2020 and costs hackers $250 per month.
“The owner of the service claimed that Prometheus TDS is an ANTIBOT redirect system designed to send out emails, work with traffic, and for social engineering. In addition, Prometheus TDS can validate web shells, create and configure redirects, operate via proxy, and work with Google accounts, etc.,” said researchers.
Moreover, the system can validate users based on a blacklist, making it possible for malicious links to avoid being added to antivirus and spam databases.
Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.
-
European financial firms are battling a huge rise in third-party breaches
News Growing vendor dependency has contributed to a marked rise in third-party breaches
-
‘We’ve got some fabulous conditions’: Salesforce UK chief exec Zahra Bahrololoumi touts the country's tech industry potential
News The UK remains a “priority market” for Salesforce, according to its regional CEO
-
‘I take pleasure in thinking I can rid society of at least some of them’: A cyber vigilante is dumping information on notorious ransomware criminals – and security experts say police will be keeping close tabs
News An anonymous whistleblower has released large amounts of data allegedly linked to the ransomware gangs
-
It's been a bad week for ransomware operators
News A host of ransomware strains have been neutralized, servers seized, and key players indicted
-
Everything we know about the Peter Green Chilled cyber attack
News A ransomware attack on the chilled food distributor highlights the supply chain risks within the retail sector
-
Scattered Spider: Who are the alleged hackers behind the M&S cyber attack?
News The Scattered Spider group has been highly active in recent years
-
Ransomware attacks are rising — but quiet payouts could mean there's more than actually reported
News Ransomware attacks continue to climb, but they may be even higher than official figures show as companies choose to quietly pay to make such incidents go away.
-
Cleo attack victim list grows as Hertz confirms customer data stolen – and security experts say it won't be the last
News Hertz has confirmed it suffered a data breach as a result of the Cleo zero-day vulnerability in late 2024, with the car rental giant warning that customer data was stolen.
-
‘Phishing kits are a force multiplier': Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25 – and experts warn it’s lowering the barrier of entry for amateur hackers
News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
-
Healthcare systems are rife with exploits — and ransomware gangs have noticed
News Nearly nine-in-ten healthcare organizations have medical devices that are vulnerable to exploits, and ransomware groups are taking notice.