Malware Programming For Carders - Stealer Series Chapter 2: Why do I need a crypter?

[Lincoln]

Carding has become a bit harder because less people are willing to do the hard work, If you are broke and have too much free time to play hackerman, do not be part of them, let's make carding Great Again.​

The Goal of this course is to give an introduction to encryption, because many of my colleagues told me that their stealers always get detect, Grab some pop Corn / Coffee, its a 15 minutes read(Including new unknown words research time).
After Reading this, you will be better equipped to gather enough data to become a vendor in the CRDPRO Marketplace(Supreme Upgrade option). Trust Me It's one of the best paying jobs in the world if you have HQ Data.

Understanding Stealer Malware​

Before diving into the specifics of encryption, let’s first clarify what a stealer is. Stealer malware is designed to harvest sensitive information from a victim's system. This can include passwords, credit card information, cookies, and even files. With this data, cybercriminals, often referred to as carders, can perpetrate identity theft, financial fraud, and other illegal activities.

Why Encrypt Your Stealer?​

1. Avoiding Detection: Most antivirus and endpoint protection systems are designed to identify malicious payloads. By encrypting the stealer, you can significantly reduce the chances of it being detected during transmission or execution.
2. Maintaining Stealth: Encryption can prevent reverse engineering, making it difficult for security researchers to analyze the malware and develop countermeasures against it.
3. Data Integrity and Security: Ensuring that extracted information remains confidential as it’s transmitted. Encryption can prevent interception by law enforcement or rival hackers.
4. Persistence and Longevity: A well-encrypted stealer can remain undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers ample time to gather valuable information.

Methods of Encrypting Stealer Malware​

Encryption is not a one-size-fits-all solution; there are various techniques that can be employed depending on the desired outcome and complexity.

1. Symmetric Encryption​

In symmetric encryption, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. Algorithms such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) are commonly used due to their speed and security.

• Implementation: When the stealer collects data, it can encrypt the data using a pre-defined secret key. The key should be kept secure and only be known to the attacker for decryption.
• Consideration: If the key is discovered, all encrypted data can be compromised. Thus, consider dynamically generating keys for each session.

2. Asymmetric Encryption​

Asymmetric encryption employs a pair of keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The RSA algorithm is a popular choice here.

• Implementation: The stealer can encrypt data with the attacker’s public key, which ensures that only the attacker can decrypt it with their private key.
• Consideration: While more secure, asymmetric encryption is generally slower and may not be suitable for larger volumes of data collected.

3. Obfuscation Techniques​

While not traditional encryption, obfuscation can significantly enhance the stealth of the stealer.

• Implementation: Techniques like renaming functions, altering control flow, and including junk code can make the malware harder to detect and analyze. This can be combined with encryption for added protection.
• Consideration: Security systems can still detect behaviors typical of stealers; thus, obfuscation should be used alongside encryption.

4. Packers and Crypters​

Packers (also known as crypters) are tools that compress and encrypt executables. They can be used to obfuscate the stealer, making it harder for signature-based detection tools to identify malware.

• Implementation: After developing a stealer, pass the executable through a packer to encrypt it. The stealer unpacks itself upon execution, revealing its true functionality only at runtime.
• Consideration: Relying solely on packers can lead to detection in environments with advanced threat protection capabilities.

Real-Life Cases of Stolen Data Utilization​

1. Target Data Breach (2013): An infamous example where cybercriminals exploited stolen credentials from third-party vendors to gain access to Target’s internal system. Using stealers, they harvested payment card information from millions of customers.
2. KrebsOnSecurity Breach (2016): Security journalist Brian Krebs had his site targeted by a massive DDoS attack which was facilitated by stealers. The attackers used stolen information to enhance their attacks, showcasing how stealers can aid in orchestrating larger cyber operations.
3. Emotet: Originally a banking trojan, Emotet evolved into a malware delivery service. Stealers embedded within Emotet facilitated harvesting information which was then sold on underground forums. The network's ability to encrypt its own communications added to its resilience against law enforcement efforts.

What you should remember about this Thread.​

Encrypting stealers is a cornerstone strategy for achieving successful and stealthy data exfiltration. By understanding the context and necessity behind encryption, as well as the variety of methods available, carders with a bit more tech savvyness can maximize their potential for profit while minimizing their risk of detection.