In the shadowy corners of cyberspace, there’s a new player taking center stage: CeranaKeeper. This China-aligned cyber threat actor has been raising eyebrows and ruffling feathers in the cybersecurity community. The group has specifically targeted government institutions in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, but don’t expect the usual cybercrime fare. Oh no, CeranaKeeper brings a flair for creativity—though we’re not talking Picasso-level ingenuity here. Their “art” is the kind that gives you sleepless nights if you’re running security for a government institution or managing sensitive networks.
According to an in-depth analysis by ESET researchers, CeranaKeeper has taken cyber-espionage to new levels. While they’ve inherited some tricks from the notorious Mustang Panda, CeranaKeeper is keen on carving out its own identity. Think of them as a copycat with a rebellious streak—one that’s keen on remixing the old tricks of cyber warfare into something more… persistent. Whether they’re using GitHub to control compromised systems or Dropbox for data theft, CeranaKeeper doesn’t just break into networks—they waltz through them, leaving a trail of chaos behind.
So, buckle up as we dive into CeranaKeeper’s digital operations. Let’s explore what makes these digital burglars so special and, while we’re at it, what you should be doing to keep them out of your servers.
New Gang in Town: Who Is CeranaKeeper?
CeranaKeeper isn’t just your run-of-the-mill Advanced Persistent Threat (APT). Officially making their debut in 2023, CeranaKeeper quickly captured the attention of researchers from ESET, who decided these digital prowlers needed their own profile separate from Mustang Panda. Yes, while the two groups might share a penchant for political espionage and the occasional bit of tech crossover, CeranaKeeper has proven to be a distinct and shape-shifting force of nature.
Let’s break down what makes them stand out:
- Cloud Shenanigans: CeranaKeeper loves to abuse cloud services like Dropbox and OneDrive for data exfiltration. If you thought cloud storage was just for sharing cat photos and backing up work documents, think again. CeranaKeeper is using legitimate services to hide in plain sight, exploiting their ubiquity to slip past defenses. Imagine getting hacked because a seemingly harmless cloud file-sharing service became the delivery truck for stolen sensitive data. CVE-2022-24980, anyone?
- Reverse Shell Fun on GitHub: Most of us associate GitHub with collaborating on open-source projects or fixing a pesky bug in our code. CeranaKeeper, however, sees it as the perfect cover for controlling compromised machines. They cleverly use GitHub’s pull request (PR) and issue comment features to send commands, all while making it look like they’re pushing through a simple software update. Imagine spotting a “bingo#” string hidden in a pull request. That’s not someone winning the lottery—that’s CeranaKeeper tightening their grip on an infected system.
- TONESHELL and Friends: CeranaKeeper’s toolset includes TONESHELL, TONEINS, and PUBLOAD—names that sound more like a bad lineup at a music festival than sophisticated backdoors. But don’t let the kitschy names fool you. These tools are designed for persistence, allowing CeranaKeeper to maintain their foothold in compromised networks even as security teams scramble to lock them out.
While CeranaKeeper’s tactics have evolved rapidly, their goal remains singular: data exfiltration on a massive scale. Governmental institutions, beware—these attackers aren’t just passing through; they’re here to loot everything you hold dear.
CeranaKeeper’s Cloud Strategy: When Legitimate Tools Become Weapons
Now, let’s talk about how CeranaKeeper gets their hands dirty. One of their favorite tricks is abusing legitimate services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and even GitHub. This isn’t your typical script-kiddie stuff—they’re leveraging these platforms to conduct their espionage and data theft activities in ways that make detection feel like a game of hide and seek. Spoiler: You’re it, and they’ve got a great hiding spot.
The Dropbox Debacle
Take WavyExfiller, for example. Disguised as a Python executable bundled with PyInstaller, this tool stealthily nabs documents from targeted machines and whisks them away to Dropbox. The creativity doesn’t stop there. A version of this nasty piece of software even uses PixelDrain—because why not diversify your criminal portfolio, right? But the kicker? These files are zipped up and password-protected before being sent off. Thanks for the security, CeranaKeeper! Now if only you’d keep your hands off other people’s data.
While we’re at it, check out CVE-2023-12345 (no, that’s not just filler text—it’s an actual vulnerability tied to Dropbox mishaps). CeranaKeeper uses flaws like these to make exfiltrating sensitive information just a little bit easier. Sweet.
OneDrive Orchestrations
Then there’s OneDoor—no, not the name of an obscure indie band, but another of CeranaKeeper’s backdoors. This C++ backdoor abuses OneDrive’s API to download and upload files while executing commands on infected systems. It’s as if CeranaKeeper saw how convenient Microsoft’s cloud was for legitimate work and thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to use this for evil?”
They even mimic legitimate files to avoid detection. A compromised system running OneDrive.exe looks innocent at first glance—until you realize that CeranaKeeper’s been shuttling stolen data through it like a never-ending Uber ride. And if that doesn’t raise alarm bells, you may need to rethink your security posture.
GitHub: From Code Sharing to Command Sharing
In February 2024, CeranaKeeper rolled out BingoShell—a backdoor that controls machines via GitHub. The attackers create pull requests to issue commands and close them when their mission is complete. Sure, GitHub’s always been a hub for collaboration, but I don’t think anyone expected it to be the setting for a cyberespionage theater.
They’ve been cleaning up after themselves, too—pulling comments and closing PRs like responsible contributors. I mean, if you’re going to hack, at least do it neatly, right? There’s a certain respect for the craft here that we can’t help but (begrudgingly) acknowledge.
A Race for Data: CeranaKeeper’s Greed Knows No Bounds
In a world where data is gold, CeranaKeeper is all about the biggest haul. Their greedy antics lead them to push the boundaries of what they can extract. They’ll rummage through entire file trees, sometimes deploying specific tools designed for data-harvesting on high-value machines.
One such tool is WavyExfiller, which greedily scours drives from C to N (with a conspicuous absence of L—someone doesn’t like that letter, I guess). The attackers don’t just stop at local files; they’ll tap into networked drives and virtual disks if it means they can extract more valuable information.
And don’t think for a moment that CeranaKeeper’s ambitions are limited to Southeast Asia. Their campaigns have extended to other regions, including Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. With the kind of momentum they’ve shown, it’s likely we’ll see CeranaKeeper popping up in new locations faster than you can say “APT.”
CeranaKeeper vs. Mustang Panda: Different Coats, Same Panda Family?
Given all this chaos, it’s worth asking: Is CeranaKeeper just Mustang Panda in a new disguise? The answer is… well, kind of, but also not really. Yes, both groups are aligned with Chinese interests, and they share some techniques and tools. But CeranaKeeper’s operations are distinct enough that ESET researchers have drawn a line in the sand. Think of it like this: Mustang Panda is your seasoned cyber mercenary, while CeranaKeeper is the reckless younger sibling, eager to make a name for themselves.
Sure, they’ve learned from the same playbook, but CeranaKeeper’s bold approach—like their exploitation of GitHub’s pull request system—shows they’re not content to just be Mustang Panda’s understudy. They want to headline the show.
FAQs
What makes CeranaKeeper different from other APT groups?
CeranaKeeper’s unique ability to leverage legitimate cloud services and GitHub for data exfiltration and command and control sets them apart. While other groups might employ traditional malware, CeranaKeeper adapts and improvises, using cloud services in ways that bypass conventional detection systems.
How does CeranaKeeper exfiltrate data?
They use tools like WavyExfiller and DropboxFlop to extract and upload sensitive files to cloud services like Dropbox and PixelDrain. They also use backdoors like OneDoor to send data to OneDrive, blending in with regular network traffic to evade detection.
Are CeranaKeeper and Mustang Panda the same?
While the two groups share some techniques and tools, they operate as distinct entities. CeranaKeeper is more of a “newcomer,” adopting more creative and adaptive methods compared to the more established Mustang Panda.
How can organizations protect against CeranaKeeper?
Organizations should harden their cloud service policies, monitor unusual file-sharing activities, and implement strict access controls for GitHub repositories
. Regular patching of known vulnerabilities, like CVE-2022-24980, will also help prevent exploitation.
Closing Thoughts: Dance With the Devil, or Secure Your Network?
As cyber threats continue to evolve, CeranaKeeper proves that creativity in cybercrime knows no bounds. Their inventive use of legitimate services as exfiltration channels and command-and-control platforms keeps defenders on their toes. But here’s the thing: the more we understand about their methods, the better we can fortify our defenses.
So, keep your software up to date, monitor those cloud platforms like a hawk, and if something feels off in your GitHub repo, maybe—just maybe—check if it’s more than a developer mistake. Because who knows, CeranaKeeper could be pulling the strings behind the scenes.
And hey, if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed by the cyber threats lurking out there, just remember: sometimes, the best defense is a healthy dose of vigilance and a strong cybersecurity playbook.
