Active Water Saci Campaign Spreading Via WhatsApp Features Multi-Vector Persistence and Sophisticated C&C

Description

The Water Saci campaign has evolved, now utilizing an email-based command and control infrastructure and multi-vector persistence for resilience. The new attack chain employs script-based techniques, including VBS downloaders and PowerShell scripts, to hijack WhatsApp Web sessions and automate malware distribution. It features sophisticated remote control capabilities, allowing real-time management of infected machines as a coordinated botnet. The malware implements extensive anti-analysis measures and targets Portuguese-language systems. Its email-based C&C system uses IMAP connections to retrieve commands, complemented by an HTTP-based polling mechanism for ongoing communication. The campaign shares similarities with the Coyote banking trojan, suggesting possible links within the Brazilian cybercriminal ecosystem.