Cryptojacking Campaign Exploits Driver to Boost Monero Mining
Essential information
- Published
- 18/02/2026 16:50
- Modified
- 18/02/2026 19:40
- Tags
- 2026-02-18 CVE-2020-14979 cryptojacking driver vulnerability kernel exploit monero mining persistence pirated software stealth xmrig
- Related entities
- 1 vulnerabilities (cve), 1 observables, 15 techniques (mitre), 1 malware, 1 others
Description
A sophisticated cryptojacking campaign has been discovered, spreading through pirated software installers. The operation utilizes a customized XMRig miner and a controller component for long-term system access. Unlike browser-based schemes, this campaign deploys system-level malware using deceptive installers masquerading as office software. The modular design enhances resilience, with multiple watchdog processes for persistence. A notable feature is the exploitation of a vulnerable signed driver (CVE-2020-14979) to gain kernel-level access, boosting Monero mining performance by 15% to 50%. The campaign connects to the Kryptex mining pool and uses a Monero wallet for payouts. Organizations are advised to enable Microsoft's vulnerable driver blocklist and implement other protective measures.