A major international cybercrime infrastructure has been dismantled by the FBI and Dutch National Police, targeting a sophisticated botnet that had exploited thousands of outdated routers for nearly 20 years. This joint operation marks one of the most significant actions taken against proxy networks used to conceal illegal online activities.
Operation Summary
Authorities targeted and took down two major proxy networks—AnyProxy and 5Socks. These platforms provided cybercriminals access to compromised residential and business routers, which acted as proxy servers to hide the origin of malicious traffic. The routers used were primarily end-of-life devices from manufacturers like Linksys, Cradlepoint, and Cisco, no longer receiving security updates.
Technical Exploitation Details
The operation uncovered that a malware strain called TheMoon was used to infect these routers. It exploited unpatched vulnerabilities, often gaining access without any password authentication. Once infected, the devices became part of a larger botnet and were sold through proxy services to facilitate:
- Identity masking
- Data theft
- Financial fraud
- Surveillance and espionage
Malware Operation Flow:
- Scan internet for vulnerable, outdated routers
- Exploit known firmware vulnerabilities
- Infect with TheMoon malware
- Enlist routers into proxy networks
- Sell access via AnyProxy and 5Socks
Seizure and Takedown
Law enforcement seized control of multiple domains associated with the botnet operation, including:
| Domain Seized | Status |
|---|---|
anyproxy.net |
Seized and offline |
5socks.net |
Seized and offline |
These domains now display takedown notices bearing the logos of the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Dutch National Police. The FBI’s Oklahoma City Cyber Task Force was instrumental in identifying infected devices in the U.S., particularly in Oklahoma, with support from Lumen Technologies, which provided internet backbone traffic data to trace the botnet's reach.
Security Risks of Outdated Routers
The incident underscores the risks associated with using unsupported network equipment. Devices that no longer receive security updates are vulnerable to exploitation and cannot be reliably secured.
Recommended Actions for Users:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Replace outdated routers | Devices past end-of-life should be discarded or upgraded |
| Update firmware regularly | Ensure the latest manufacturer patches are applied |
| Disable remote management | Reduces exposure to internet-based exploits |
| Use strong credentials | Avoid default usernames and passwords |
| Audit connected devices | Monitor your network for unknown connections |
Broader Impact
This takedown demonstrates the role outdated hardware plays in enabling global cybercrime. It also reflects the effectiveness of international cooperation in disrupting complex, decentralized criminal infrastructure that crosses jurisdictions.
Conclusion
The dismantling of the AnyProxy and 5Socks networks is a critical step in limiting access to anonymizing services that aid cybercriminal operations. Users and organizations are strongly advised to assess the security of their networking hardware and take appropriate measures to reduce risk exposure.