Security Vulnerability: Information regarding Drovorub Malware

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15

The NSA and FBI recently published information about the previously undisclosed Linux malware "Drovorub", a Cybersecurity Advisory and a Fact Sheet .

They link it to cyber espionage operations by a nation-state actor.

Drovorub is a malware framework consisting of several components, including a kernel rootkit, tools for file transfer and port forwarding, and a command-and-control (CC) server.

Drovorub communicates with the CC server and hides its presence on the target system. It provides the attackers with file upload and download capabilities, as well as arbitrary command execution (with root privileges) and port or network traffic forwarding to other hosts on the network.

As with other rootkits and backdoors, an attacker needs to first compromise the target system by an unrelated exploit, before Drovorub can be deployed.

If a machine is suspected to be infected with this malware, refer to the Advisory for detailed guidance on forensic techniques to check for infection on a machine or network level. Note that the operators of the malware may already have reacted to the public release of this information by adapting or even uninstalling the software.

Recommendations for SUSE Linux Enterprise:

• Enable secure boot, to make sure the Drovorub kernel module and other unsigned kernel modules cannot be loaded.
  • The steps to enable secure boot are explained in the SLES Administration Guide.
• Harden the system and enforce access control to prevent a system compromise that could enable the deployment of Drovorub.
  • Please see the SLES Security Guide and SLES Hardening Guide for more information (links are for SLES 15 SP2, the guides are also available for other SLES versions).
  • In particular, consider using a mandatory access control framework such as AppArmor.
• Update systems to the latest patch level, to prevent a system compromise via known vulnerabilities that have already been fixed. See the section "Patching Linux Systems " in the SLES Hardening Guide for more information.

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