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What are Stealer Logs?

Published on:

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Flawatch

In recent years, Flawatch analysts have observed a sharp rise in stealer logs on the darknet. Stealer logs contain sensitive data stolen from compromised devices, often more damaging than standard breaches. Unlike credential leaks, these logs include a wealth of information, from browser history and login details to crypto accounts and IP addresses.

Victims often don’t know their devices are infected, as stealers are spread through phishing emails, fake websites, and fraudulent apps. With such a broad range of data, stealer logs are becoming the go-to for cybercriminals looking to commit identity theft, financial fraud, and account takeovers.

Stealers, Infostealers, and Stealer Logs

A stealer (also known as an infostealer) is a malware program designed to steal credentials, cookies, and sensitive information from a victim’s device. The malware quietly transmits stolen data to a command and control (C2) server, where it is harvested and often sold on the darknet.

Many infostealers are distributed as malware-as-a-service (MaaS), allowing cybercriminals to subscribe to stealer services and access stolen data for fraudulent purposes.

Stealer logs contain the data extracted by these malware programs. Once the infostealer has collected valuable information, the logs are sent to a C2 and distributed, often being sold on forums and darknet marketplaces.


How Stealers Work

Stealers are commonly delivered via phishing emails and malspam campaigns. These emails contain attachments or links that trick the recipient into downloading malware onto their device. Once installed, the infostealer quietly grabs all kinds of information, from browser autofill data to credit card details.

What makes stealer logs so dangerous is the scope and freshness of the data they provide. Unlike data breaches, which might leak outdated credentials, stealer logs offer the most current details from the victim’s machine.

Why Stealer Logs Matter

Stealer logs contain a treasure trove of personal information:

  • Browser Data: Browsers like Chrome and Safari store browsing history, cookies, autofill data, and saved credentials. All this can be exfiltrated by infostealers.

  • Cookies: If a cybercriminal obtains cookies from an active session, they can recreate the login and access accounts—even without credentials.

  • Autofill: Many browsers save usernames, passwords, and credit card information for easy logins. Stealers can extract this data to carry out identity theft and fraud.

Stealer logs also tend to contain hardware identifiers, which are used to match devices with drivers, adding another layer of personal identification for cybercriminals.

Browser Data and Cookie Theft

Cybercriminals use browser cookies to hijack session data. If a stealer logs the cookies from a user’s device, they can access accounts without the need for usernames or passwords. Services like email providers or banking apps may not detect this as unusual activity, as the browser recognizes the session as legitimate.

Why Stealer Logs Are So Valuable

Stealer logs are typically more timely than leaks or breaches. While stolen credentials may be outdated in a breach, stealer logs contain the most recent data from the victim’s device, including up-to-date login details, passwords, and session cookies.

Even for users who regularly change passwords, stealer logs render these efforts useless. Once a stealer is downloaded, it can bypass antivirus software, infect the device, and continue siphoning the latest information without the victim’s knowledge.


Breaking Down a Stealer Log

A typical stealer log contains:

  1. Browser Data: Saved passwords, autofill details, and search histories.

  2. Cookies: Stolen session cookies that allow attackers to recreate active logins.

  3. Autofill Data: Usernames, passwords, addresses, and even financial information.

  4. Hardware Information: IP addresses, operating systems, and hardware details like HWID (Hardware Identifier).

Each of these elements allows cybercriminals to fully exploit a victim’s online identity, gaining access to sensitive accounts and personal data.

Final Thoughts

Stealer logs highlight the fragility of online identities. With a single wrong click, a person’s entire digital life can be exposed to cybercriminals. As these logs gain popularity, they may soon surpass data breaches as the preferred method for stealing credentials.

Stealers are not only a threat to individuals but can also target businesses, making it essential to remain vigilant and adopt advanced cybersecurity solutions like Flawatch. By monitoring and responding to these evolving threats, organizations can safeguard their data and reduce the risk of exploitation.

Stay Ahead of Threats!

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Continuously watching out for security flaws

Copyright © 2024 Flawtrack Sdn. Bhd.
All Rights Reserved

Continuously watching out for security flaws

Copyright © 2024 Flawtrack Sdn. Bhd.
All Rights Reserved

Continuously watching out for security flaws

Copyright © 2024 Flawtrack Sdn. Bhd.
All Rights Reserved