Researchers Spot New Cryptocurrency Stealing Malware Advertised Under a Subscription Model

A cryptocurrency-related malware program has been advertised on darknet forums as the „leading way to make money in 2021,“ raising alarms among the cybersecurity community. Palo Alto Networks published a report on the malicious app Westeal and outlined the creator’s connections to other kinds of malware that steals major streaming accounts.

Westeal Claims to Be Immune Against Major Antivirus Software

According to the cyber security company, „Westeal“ is an development from „Wesupply Crypto Stealer,“ another malicious crypto-software that has been in circulation from May to the end of 2020. It is believed that Wesupply’s development is being advertised since February 2021.

The study shows that Westeal was designed to basically capture bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH) being taken in and out victim’s wallet via their clipboard.

In addition, users who install the malicious app get access to a web-based panel for handling all the actions that are required, world market Link including a „victim tracker panel.“

A detail that raises concerns from Palo Alto Networks is the fact that Westeal appears to be immune to the most popular antivirus software.

The malware runs on subscription-based models, and „Complexcodes,“ the anon developer of the application profits by charging 20 euros ($24) each month, 50 euros ($60) for three months and 125 euros ($150) annually.

The Malware Is a ‚Shameless‘ Crypto Stealer, Researchers Say

The cybersecurity company provides more details on the malware:

„In the effort to „steal“ cryptocurrency from a victim, Westeal uses regular expressions to look for strings matching the patterns of bitcoin and ethereum wallet identifiers being copied to the clipboard. When it matches these, it replaces the copied wallet ID in the clipboard with one supplied by the malware. The victim then pastes the substituted wallet ID for a transaction, and the funds are sent instead to the substitute wallet.“

Still, Palo Alto Networks qualifies Westeal as a „shameless“ malware:

„Westeal is a shameless piece of commodity malware with a single, illicit function. Its simplicity is matched by a likely simple effectiveness in the theft of cryptocurrency. The low-sophistication actors who purchase and deploy this malware are thieves, no less so than street pickpockets. Their crimes are as real as their victims. The fast and simple monetization chain and anonymity of cryptocurrency theft, together with the low cost and simplicity of operation, will undoubtedly make this type of crimeware attractive and popular to less-skilled thieves.“