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TLDR EtherHiding uses smart contracts to host malware on Ethereum and BNB Chain. Hackers compromise WordPress sites to inject JavaScript loaders. Malware hosted on blockchain is hard to detect and remove due to immutability. CLEARFAKE was the first known EtherHiding campaign in September 2023. North Korean state-sponsored hackers are now embedding malicious code into blockchain [...] The post North Korean Hackers Use Blockchain to Hide Malware in New Campaign appeared first on CoinCentral.TLDR EtherHiding uses smart contracts to host malware on Ethereum and BNB Chain. Hackers compromise WordPress sites to inject JavaScript loaders. Malware hosted on blockchain is hard to detect and remove due to immutability. CLEARFAKE was the first known EtherHiding campaign in September 2023. North Korean state-sponsored hackers are now embedding malicious code into blockchain [...] The post North Korean Hackers Use Blockchain to Hide Malware in New Campaign appeared first on CoinCentral.

North Korean Hackers Use Blockchain to Hide Malware in New Campaign

2025/10/19 18:09

TLDR

EtherHiding uses smart contracts to host malware on Ethereum and BNB Chain.
Hackers compromise WordPress sites to inject JavaScript loaders.
Malware hosted on blockchain is hard to detect and remove due to immutability.
CLEARFAKE was the first known EtherHiding campaign in September 2023.

North Korean state-sponsored hackers are now embedding malicious code into blockchain networks to avoid detection. According to Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), this new method—called EtherHiding—uses smart contracts on public blockchains like Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain to store malware. The campaign allows the attackers to deliver and control harmful code through systems that are nearly impossible to block or alter.

What Is EtherHiding and How It Works

GTIG explains that EtherHiding involves placing small code snippets into smart contracts, which are hosted on decentralized blockchain networks. These networks are immutable, meaning that once code is added, it cannot be deleted or modified. This makes it difficult for cybersecurity systems to take down or stop the malware.

The hackers start by compromising WordPress websites, often using stolen login data or unpatched software flaws. Once inside, they add a JavaScript loader into the site’s code. This loader reaches out to the blockchain and pulls malware from a remote location. Since this connection is off-chain, it leaves almost no transaction record and requires little to no gas fees.

GTIG found that this method has been active since at least September 2023. The campaign began under the name CLEARFAKE, which used fake browser update alerts to trick users into installing malicious software.

Why the Blockchain Makes Malware Harder to Remove

One of the key features of blockchain technology is that once data is recorded, it cannot be changed. This feature is now being used to hide and spread malware in a way that security teams cannot easily stop. Because the malware is hosted inside smart contracts, blocking or deleting it would require changes to the blockchain itself, which is not possible.

GTIG reports that the use of decentralized systems allows attackers to operate without being noticed. Most anti-malware tools do not check smart contracts for harmful code, so these threats can stay active for long periods without detection.

“Although smart contracts offer innovative ways to build decentralized applications, their unchangeable nature is leveraged in EtherHiding,” GTIG noted.

Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton called EtherHiding an “early-stage experiment” and warned that it could be made more dangerous by using automation tools. He said that future versions might include code that targets blockchain systems directly, especially if those systems are linked to wallets or transaction platforms.

Shift in North Korean Cyber Strategy

Cybersecurity experts believe this method shows a change in North Korea’s cyber operations. Instead of only stealing cryptocurrency, hackers are now using the technology behind it to help distribute malware.

Data from blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs states that North Korean hackers have stolen more than $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency this year. Investigators say that the funds are used to support military projects and avoid global sanctions.

The use of EtherHiding makes it easier for attackers to stay online and move their tools between platforms. Since the code is hosted on decentralized networks, even taking down the original website does not stop the malware from spreading.

How Users and Developers Can Protect Against EtherHiding

GTIG advises users and web developers to take extra steps to secure their systems. They recommend blocking unknown scripts, disabling unauthorized downloads, and keeping WordPress plugins updated.

Security teams are also encouraged to start scanning smart contracts for malicious content. Since the code is public, researchers can label and track harmful contracts more easily if they know what to look for.

The group also stressed the need for tighter website security. Preventing the initial breach of WordPress sites is a key step in stopping these attacks before the loader can be installed.

The post North Korean Hackers Use Blockchain to Hide Malware in New Campaign appeared first on CoinCentral.

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The gaming industry is in the midst of a historic shift, driven by the rise of Web3. Unlike traditional games, where developers and publishers control assets and dictate in-game economies, Web3 gaming empowers players with ownership and influence. Built on blockchain technology, these ecosystems are decentralized by design, enabling true digital asset ownership, transparent economies, and a future where players help shape the games they play. However, as Web3 gaming grows, security becomes a focal point. The range of security concerns, from hacking to asset theft to vulnerabilities in smart contracts, is a significant issue that will undermine or erode trust in this ecosystem, limiting or stopping adoption. Blockchain technology could be used to create security processes around secure, transparent, and fair Web3 gaming ecosystems. We will explore how security is increasing within gaming ecosystems, which challenges are being overcome, and what the future of security looks like. Why is Security Important in Web3 Gaming? Web3 gaming differs from traditional gaming in that players engage with both the game and assets with real value attached. Players own in-game assets that exist as tokens or NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and can trade and sell them. These game assets usually represent significant financial value, meaning security failure could represent real monetary loss. In essence, without security, the promises of owning “something” in Web3, decentralized economies within games, and all that comes with the term “fair” gameplay can easily be eroded by fraud, hacking, and exploitation. This is precisely why the uniqueness of blockchain should be emphasized in securing Web3 gaming. How Blockchain Ensures Security in Web3 Gaming?

Immutable Ownership of Assets Blockchain records can be manipulated by anyone. If a player owns a sword, skin, or plot of land as an NFT, it is verifiably in their ownership, and it cannot be altered or deleted by the developer or even hacked. This has created a proven track record of ownership, providing control back to the players, unlike any centralised gaming platform where assets can be revoked.
Decentralized Infrastructure Blockchain networks also have a distributed architecture where game data is stored in a worldwide network of nodes, making them much less susceptible to centralised points of failure and attacks. This decentralised approach makes it exponentially more difficult to hijack systems or even shut off the game’s economy.
Secure Transactions with Cryptography Whether a player buys an NFT or trades their in-game tokens for other items or tokens, the transactions are enforced by cryptographic algorithms, ensuring secure, verifiable, and irreversible transactions and eliminating the risks of double-spending or fraudulent trades.
Smart Contract Automation Smart contracts automate the enforcement of game rules and players’ economic exchanges for the developer, eliminating the need for intermediaries or middlemen, and trust for the developer. For example, if a player completes a quest that promises a reward, the smart contract will execute and distribute what was promised.
Anti-Cheating and Fair Gameplay The naturally transparent nature of blockchain makes it extremely simple for anyone to examine a specific instance of gameplay and verify the economic outcomes from that play. Furthermore, multi-player games that enforce smart contracts on things like loot sharing or win sharing can automate and measure trustlessness and avoid cheating, manipulations, and fraud by developers.
Cross-Platform Security Many Web3 games feature asset interoperability across platforms. This interoperability is made viable by blockchain, which guarantees ownership is maintained whenever assets transition from one game or marketplace to another, thereby offering protection to players who rely on transfers for security against fraud. Key Security Dangers in Web3 Gaming Although blockchain provides sound first principles of security, the Web3 gaming ecosystem is susceptible to threats. Some of the most serious threats include:

Smart Contract Vulnerabilities: Smart contracts that are poorly written or lack auditing will leave openings for exploitation and thereby result in asset loss. Phishing Attacks: Unintentionally exposing or revealing private keys or signing transactions that are not possible to reverse, under the assumption they were genuine transaction requests. Bridge Hacks: Cross-chain bridges, which allow players to move their assets between their respective blockchains, continually face hacks, requiring vigilance from players and developers. Scams and Rug Pulls: Rug pulls occur when a game project raises money and leaves, leaving player assets worthless. Regulatory Ambiguity: Global regulations remain unclear; risks exist for players and developers alike. While blockchain alone won’t resolve every issue, it remediates the responsibility of the first principles, more so when joined by processes such as auditing, education, and the right governance, which can improve their contribution to the security landscapes in game ecosystems. Real Life Examples of Blockchain Security in Web3 Gaming Axie Infinity (Ronin Hack): The Axie Infinity game and several projects suffered one of the biggest hacks thus far on its Ronin bridge; however, it demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-sig security and the effective utilization of decentralization. The industry benefited through learning and reflection, thus, as projects have implemented changes to reduce the risks of future hacks or misappropriation. Immutable X: This Ethereum scaling solution aims to ensure secure NFT transactions for gaming, allowing players to trade an asset without the burden of exorbitant fees and fears of being a victim of fraud. Enjin: Enjin is providing a trusted infrastructure for Web3 games, offering secure NFT creation and transfer while reiterating that ownership and an asset securely belong to the player. These examples indubitably illustrate that despite challenges to overcome, blockchain remains the foundational layer on which to build more secure Web3 gaming environments. Benefits of Blockchain Security for Players and Developers For Players: Confidence in true ownership of assets Transparency in in-game economies Protection against nefarious trades/scams For Developers: More trust between players and the platform Less reliance on centralized infrastructure Ability to attract wealth and players based on provable fairness By incorporating blockchain security within the mechanics of game design, developers can create and enforce resilient ecosystems where players feel reassured in investing time, money, and ownership within virtual worlds. The Future of Secure Web3 Gaming Ecosystems As the wisdom of blockchain technology and industry knowledge improves, the future for secure Web3 gaming looks bright. New growing trends include: Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs): A new wave of protocols that enable private transactions and secure smart contracts while managing user privacy with an element of transparency. Decentralized Identity Solutions (DID): Helping players control their identities and decrease account theft risks. AI-Enhanced Security: Identifying irregularities in user interactions by sampling pattern anomalies to avert hacks and fraud by time-stamping critical events. Interoperable Security Standards: Allowing secured and seamless asset transfers across blockchains and games. With these innovations, blockchain will not only secure gaming assets but also enhance the overall trust and longevity of Web3 gaming ecosystems. Conclusion Blockchain is more than a buzzword in Web3; it is the only way to host security, fairness, and transparency. With blockchain, players confirm immutable ownership of digital assets, there is a decentralized infrastructure, and finally, it supports smart contracts to automate code that protects players and developers from the challenges of digital economies. The threats, vulnerabilities, and scams that come from smart contracts still persist, but the industry is maturing with better security practices, cross-chain solutions, and increased formal cryptographic tools. In the coming years, blockchain will remain the base to digital economies and drive Web3 gaming environments that allow players to safely own, trade, and enjoy their digital experiences free from fraud and exploitation. While blockchain and gaming alone entertain, we will usher in an era of secure digital worlds where trust complements innovation. The Role of Blockchain in Building Safer Web3 Gaming Ecosystems was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story