A new malware called ROPEMAKER is on the prowl and security experts say that this malicious software has the potential to alter the content of a delivered email. For example, a hacker can easily swap a harmless URL with a malicious one in an email which has already been delivered. And remember, all this can be done without direct access to the inbox.
Brian Robinson, senior director of security firm Cylance issued an advisory on this issue and said that the said ransomware can turn into a devastating tool if left unchecked.
It’s a known fact that all modern day email applications deliver HTML as web pages using CSS to make the email look nice. And this has turned into a regular practice within every legitimate marketing organization these days.
Robinson says that Ropemaker malware which is still under development stages can prove fatal if anti-malware solution makers fail to architect a fix to it.
Mr. Brian added that the cyber threat level in this issue is too severe as Ropemaker developers can also alter the body of an email whenever they want.
Cylance advisory says that the developers of Ropemaker malware are interested in targeting government agencies with the malware. And if and when this happens, it can change the dynamics of a government operating in a particular state or country.
More details on how this malware is being developed and propagated are awaited!
Note- Cylance is an American software firm founded in 2012. This Irvine based startup offers Artificial Intelligence based Advanced Threat Prevention to revolutionize advanced threats and malware at endpoints.
