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Threat Actor Profile
Clockwork Spider
Clockwork Spider is a financially motivated cybercriminal threat actor first observed around 2014. This group is known for operating Retefe, a banking malware primarily used to harvest credentials and execute financial wire fraud schemes. Classified as opportunistic, their attacks target victims in high-value jurisdictions and sectors, with a particular focus on financial institutions and individual banking customers.
Threat Actor Profile
Clockwork Spider
Country of Origin
Clockwork Spider is believed to operate from the Russian Federation, as indicated by credible classifications from threat intelligence sources; however, specific attribution remains somewhat limited.
Members
The size and member composition of Clockwork Spider are unknown. Any insight into operational roles or individual aliases is lacking within publicly available intelligence sources.
Leadership
At present, no names, aliases, or identifiable leadership details for Clockwork Spider have been publicly revealed. Information about their organizational structure remains obscure.
Clockwork Spider TTPs
Tactics
Clockwork Spider’s primary goals are financial gain through the theft of banking credentials and the manipulation of financial transactions. They specifically aim to intercept or redirect funds via compromised systems.
Techniques
They extensively use malicious root certificates to manipulate victim systems, allowing man-in-the-middle (MiTM) attacks to intercept encrypted HTTPS communications. Deploying the Retefe malware is their signature method for executing these operations. This malware can modify browser trust settings, redirect network traffic, and harvest sensitive credentials.
Procedures
Clockwork Spider’s procedures utilize a combination of Retefe payloads and rogue certifications to proxy victim traffic through their controlled infrastructure. This model enables undetected credential theft and fraudulent redirections. Details on their exact initial infection vectors, such as phishing campaigns or exploit kits, are less well-documented.
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Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)
Known IOCs for Clockwork Spider center around Retefe malware artifacts, including file hashes, custom root certificates, and indicators of local proxy behavior. Observing abnormal HTTPS traffic patterns or rogue root certificates in endpoint systems may indicate their presence within a network.
Key Victims
Clockwork Spider targets financial institutions and their customers, concentrating on sectors with high monetary returns or weak security environments. Geographically, they have shown a preference for countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Japan, although their reach is considered international.
Notable Cyberattacks
While individual incidents tied to Clockwork Spider are not comprehensively documented, their activity typically revolves around credential theft campaigns and the misuse of Retefe malware. Banking customers and institutions in high-value regions have been common victims of their operations.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Currently, there are no publicly documented arrests or law enforcement actions specific to Clockwork Spider. The covert nature of their operations has made direct persecution difficult.
How to Defend Against Clockwork Spider
1
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Prevent unauthorized credential use
2
Segmentation Standards: Limit access between critical systems to contain any lateral movement
Huntress tools, such as advanced threat detection and response platforms, can help identify and neutralize malware and other IOCs linked to Clockwork Spider effectively.
References
