Kaspersky Lab tell about fake projects on GitHub to steal cryptocurrencies

Hackers place malicious code to copy developers’ wallet data in files of supposedly legitimate projects

26.02.2025 - 12:25

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2 min

What’s new? According to a report from Kaspersky Lab, hackers are using GitHub to steal cryptocurrencies by creating fake software development projects and bots. The report warns users about the GitVenom campaign, which has been active for at least two years, which includes placing malicious code in individual projects on the popular platform among developers.

Material by CoinDesk

What else is known? The attack is carried out through the creation of fake projects in which hackers invite to join the development of Telegram-bots to manage bitcoin wallets or tools for computer games.

To create a semblance of legitimacy, such projects are accompanied by a README file, which can often be generated with the help of AI. In turn, the code of the supposedly real Python or JavaScript project itself is a Trojan virus.

If a developer downloads the malware, it launches a number of other exploit programs that collect passwords and crypto wallet data, as well as browsing history, combine them and send them to Telegram.

Remote access trojans such as AsyncRAT and Quasar take over the victim’s device, logging keystrokes, and taking screenshots.

Elliptic revealed details about the laundering of $1,46 billion stolen from Bybit

Analysts called the incident the largest single theft in history

Clipper-type programs that work with the clipboard change copied wallet addresses to those of the hackers, redirecting funds. As the lab’s analysts found out, one such wallet in November allowed hackers to earn 5 BTC, which at the time was valued at $485 000.

According to experts, the GitVenom campaign hit users from Russia, Brazil, and Turkey the hardest, although it operates worldwide.

Users were urged to scrutinize any code before running it, checking the authenticity of the project and README files or inconsistent commit histories.

Researchers believe these attacks will continue in the near future.

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