KREMLIN Banking Malware Hijacks Chrome and Edge to Steal Credentials and Session Tokens in Brazil
Researchers from Elastic Security Labs have detailed the operation of a banking malware named KREMLIN, tracked under the identifier REF9334, that hijacks Chrome and Edge browsers to steal credentials and session tokens. The campaign targets Brazil almost exclusively.
Of the 1,515 infected systems identified, 98 percent are located in the country. The malware impersonates approximately ten different Brazilian banks. Infection starts with multi-stage JavaScript loaders disguised as banking documents, invoices, or corporate papers. Victims must execute the file manually, after which C++ installers and malicious browser extensions are downloaded.
To install the extension without triggering browser protections, the malware alters the Secure Preferences file, enables developer mode, and rewrites protection objects with forged metadata. Researchers refer to this method as Phantom Extension.
Once the extension is active, theft extends beyond passwords. The malware collects session tokens, cookies, data from sessionStorage and localStorage, browsing history from the previous 15 days, screenshots, information on open tabs, and the complete HTML of visited pages.
The operation has been active since May 2025 and includes seven distinct campaigns since June of that year. On 19 May 2026 the operators began using smart contracts on the Ethereum network as part of their infrastructure.
Recommendations include monitoring for unauthorized extension installations in corporate browsers and tracking changes to Chrome and Edge integrity files, as metadata replacement is central to the Phantom Extension technique.
Related articles
Malicious Twitch Extension Steals OAuth Tokens from Nearly 31,000 Users
A browser extension posing as an enhancement for Twitch has been stealing OAuth authentication tokens from approximately 31,000 users across Chrome and Firefox. The extension, known as Twitch Enhanced Viewer or JeetBot, was discovered by researcher Kush Pandya of Socket. It promised 1080p streaming in restricted regions and an ad-free experience while covertly exfiltrating session tokens to attacker-controlled servers. The tokens were transmitted in plaintext via network-layer redirects, allowing full access to chat functions, private messages, and account settings. Both the Chrome version with around 30,000 installations since June 26, 2025, and the Firefox version with 604 users since July 7, 2025, remained available in official stores at the time of reporting. Users are advised to immediately disable the extension and revoke active Twitch sessions to invalidate stolen tokens.
Casbaneiro Banking Trojan Targets Financial Institutions in Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Mexico
Fortinet researchers identified a Casbaneiro campaign in August that specifically targets bank customers across four Latin American countries. The infection begins with a PDF attachment that displays the recipient's own email address to build credibility and creates urgency around an unpaid invoice or judicial notice. The PDF link performs IP-based geofencing, redirecting non-target visitors to Google or YouTube while delivering a Base64-encoded ZIP only to victims in the selected countries. Inside the archive, an HTA file downloads the legitimate AutoIt interpreter along with a compiled script and compressed payload, helping evade binary-focused defenses. The malware stays dormant until the victim visits a monitored banking website, at which point it activates its C2 channel, exfiltrates Outlook contact data, and can display bank-specific credential-harvesting overlays. Additional remote-access capabilities allow operators to control the keyboard, manipulate the clipboard, and execute arbitrary commands on the infected system.
Cybercriminals Distribute NJRAT, DCRAT and Chaos via Fake GTA 6 Downloads
Threat actors are leveraging anticipation around GTA 6 to spread multiple malware families through fake game downloads. Security researchers at Huntress identified campaigns that combine search-engine poisoning, gaming forums, torrent sites and social-media posts to deliver oversized fake ISO files exceeding 100 GB. Victims who execute the installer see Russian-language messages claiming an invalid crack or missing license, while remote-access tools and data stealers run silently in the background. The delivered payloads include NJRAT and DCRAT for keystroke logging, screen capture and webcam access, Mercurial Grabber for harvesting browser credentials and Discord tokens, and the Chaos wiper that encrypts small files and overwrites larger ones. The operation primarily targets Russian-speaking gamers, as indicated by the ransom note and error messages. Analysts recommend avoiding unofficial downloads and isolating any compromised systems immediately.
Smartphone Spyware: How Devices Collect and Exfiltrate Data Even Without Internet Access
Modern smartphones continue gathering sensor data including microphone, camera, gyroscope, and satellite navigation even when Wi-Fi and mobile data are disabled. Information is stored locally and transmitted only when connectivity is restored. The Find My Device feature from Google and Find My from Apple allow location reporting for hours after the device is powered off via a separate Bluetooth chip. In August 2026, ThreatFabric disclosed the Manic trojan that uses Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth RFCOMM, and BLE GATT to relay encrypted data through nearby infected devices when direct internet access is unavailable. The malware supports multi-hop routing of up to four intermediate devices. Everyday users face greater risk from over-privileged applications and pre-installed malware on gray-market devices than from sophisticated offline exfiltration techniques. A detailed checklist covers purchase hygiene, permission audits, and recovery steps after suspected compromise.