Botnet hacks 9,000+ ASUS routers to add persistent SSH backdoor

Botnet hacks 9,000+ ASUS routers to add persistent SSH backdoor

Over 9,000 ASUS routers have been compromised by the “AyySSHush” botnet, which uses old vulnerabilities and brute-force tactics to establish stealthy backdoors. The campaign, believed to be linked to a nation-state actor, also affects other SOHO routers, with ASUS recommending immediate firmware updates and security checks. #AyySSHush #CVE-2023-39780

Keypoints

  • The “AyySSHush” botnet targets ASUS routers using CVE-2023-39780 to exploit command injection flaws.
  • The attackers add persistent SSH keys to maintain backdoor access even after firmware updates.
  • Stealth tactics include turning off logging and disabling security features to evade detection.
  • Over 9,000 ASUS routers are infected, but only a few malicious requests have been detected.
  • Users should update firmware and perform factory resets if compromised to remove backdoors.

Read More: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/botnet-hacks-9-000-plus-asus-routers-to-add-persistent-ssh-backdoor/