Russian Script Kiddie Builds Massive DDoS Botnet

A Russian script kiddie known as Matrix has assembled a massive DDoS botnet by exploiting weakly secured IoT devices and enterprise servers, posing a global threat to businesses and cloud infrastructures. 😨💻

Matrix is operating a Telegram-based store selling DDoS services with plans ranging from Basic to Enterprise. This allows clients to launch disruptive attacks at the transport and application layers of targeted systems. 📲📡

“Matrix’s methods are simple yet effective,” said a lead analyst. 🔍 The campaign exploits default credentials, outdated software, and vulnerable configurations across IoT and enterprise environments. 🔑📉

Matrix’s GitHub repository is a treasure trove of off-the-shelf attack tools, including:

Mirai 🦠DDoS Agent 🚀Pybot 🐍Pynet 🌐SSH Scan Hacktool 🔧Discord Go 🎮

Instead of merely forking public repositories, Matrix customizes these tools for maximum impact, targeting known vulnerabilities in popular IoT devices like routers, DVRs, and telecom equipment. 📶🛠️

🔴 CVE-2014–8361 — RCE in Realtek SDK 🔴 CVE-2017–17215 — Huawei HG532 Remote Exploit 🔴 CVE-2018–10561 — Vulnerability in Dasan GPON Routers 🔴 CVE-2024–27348 — Critical RCE in Apache HugeGraph Servers

Unlike typical DDoS campaigns, Matrix scans cloud providers such as:

AWS (48%) ☁️Microsoft Azure (34%) 💼Google Cloud (16%) 🌍

By focusing on enterprise servers running Telnet, SSH, Hadoop YARN, and more, Matrix expands its attack surface, targeting systems in China and Japan where IoT device density is high. 🇨🇳🇯🇵

Matrix’s brute-force script tests 167 username-password pairs, with 134 granting root or admin access. 😲🔑 This highlights the critical need for strong authentication measures and regular credential updates.

Analysis reveals up to 35 million systems running exploitable software. Even if only 1% are compromised, that creates a botnet of 350,000 devices capable of launching large-scale attacks. 🌍🖥️

Organizations can mitigate risks by:

Updating Firmware 🛠️ — Regularly patch IoT devices.Securing Credentials 🔑 — Avoid default passwords.Deploying Network Monitoring 👀 — Identify abnormal traffic.Using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) 🌐 — Absorb attack traffic.Engaging Pentest Services 🛡️ — Identify and fix vulnerabilities with WireTor Pentest.

Protect your organization from threats like Matrix. Contact WireTor Pentest to assess your network security and safeguard against cyberattacks.