Cryptomining

1. What Is Cryptomining (Cryptojacking)?

Cryptomining, often referred to as cryptojacking, is a form of cyberattack where malicious actors covertly exploit the computing resources of devices-such as smartphones, tablets, or computers-to mine cryptocurrencies like Monero or Bitcoin. Unlike traditional malware, cryptojacking operates silently in the background, often going unnoticed by users, while consuming significant processing power and energy.

This unauthorized use of resources can lead to degraded device performance, increased electricity costs, and potential hardware damage over time.

2. How Cryptomining Targets Client-Side Applications

Client-side applications, especially those running on mobile or desktop platforms, are prime targets for cryptomining attacks. Attackers often inject malicious scripts or code into applications or third-party libraries. Once the compromised app is installed or accessed, the embedded code initiates background processes that utilize the device's CPU and GPU to perform complex calculations required for cryptocurrency mining.

Common vectors for such attacks include:

  • Infected SDKs or third-party libraries: Developers unknowingly integrate malicious components into their apps.
  • Compromised updates: Attackers infiltrate the update mechanism to distribute cryptomining code.
  • Web-based attacks: Malicious scripts run within browsers when users visit compromised or malicious websites.

These attacks are particularly insidious because they don't require user interaction beyond the initial app installation or website visit, making detection and prevention challenging.

3. Business Impact of Cryptomining

While cryptomining may seem less threatening than data breaches or ransomware, its impact on businesses can be substantial:

  • Performance Degradation: Applications may become sluggish or unresponsive, leading to poor user experience and potential loss of customers.
  • Increased Operational Costs: Elevated CPU and GPU usage results in higher energy consumption, inflating operational expenses.
  • Hardware Wear and Tear: Continuous high resource utilization can shorten the lifespan of devices, leading to increased maintenance and replacement costs.
  • Reputational Damage: If customers discover that an organization's app is compromising their devices, it can lead to loss of trust and brand damage.

4. What effect would a cryptomining attack have in the real world?

Imagine a mid-sized software company, "TechNova," with annual revenues of $200 million, primarily from its suite of productivity applications. Unbeknownst to them, a threat actor has downloaded and reverse engineered their flagship app and then injected a library containing cryptomining malware into it. The pirated app is then uploaded to one of many 3rd party app stores. Over six months, users reported significant battery drain and device overheating. Negative reviews flooded app stores, leading to a 30% drop in active users. The company faced increased customer support costs, a decline in subscription renewals, and had to allocate substantial resources to identify and remove the malicious code. The incident resulted in an estimated $15 million revenue loss and long-term harm to their reputation.

5. How Digital.ai Helps Prevent Cryptomining

Digital.ai offers robust solutions to safeguard applications against cryptomining threats:

  • Code Obfuscation: Makes it difficult for attackers to inject or modify code within the application.
  • Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP): Monitors application behavior in realtime to detect and prevent unauthorized activities, such as unexpected resource utilization.
  • Secure Update Mechanisms: Ensures that application updates are authenticated and free from malicious code.
  • Threat Intelligence Integration: Leverages up-to-date threat data to identify and mitigate emerging cryptomining tactics.

By implementing these measures, Digital.ai helps organizations maintain the integrity and performance of their applications, protecting both their assets and their users.

6. See How Your App Stands Up Against Cryptomining

Curious about your application's resilience to cryptomining threats?