VexTrio Unleashes Global Scam Network Through Compromised WordPress Sites

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a vast global scam network operated by VexTrio and its affiliates, leveraging compromised WordPress sites to redirect unsuspecting users to malicious content. This sophisticated operation utilizes various traffic distribution systems (TDS) and adtech companies to funnel victims towards scams, phishing sites, and harmful software, highlighting a significant threat to online users.

VexTrio's Expansive Scam Ecosystem

VexTrio is identified as a collective of malicious adtech companies that disseminate scams and harmful software through diverse advertising formats, including smartlinks and push notifications. This sprawling enterprise is designed to distribute malicious content on a global scale.

Key takeaways:

• VexTrio operates through a network of commercial affiliate companies such as Los Pollos, Taco Loco, and Adtrafico.

• These affiliates connect malware actors with advertising affiliates who promote illicit schemes like gift card fraud, malicious apps, and phishing sites.

• Traffic distribution systems (TDS) are central to their operation, redirecting victims to their intended malicious destinations via SmartLinks or direct offers.

WordPress Sites: A Weaponized Platform

A critical component of VexTrio's operations involves the compromise of WordPress websites. Malicious code is injected into these sites, initiating a redirection chain that ultimately leads visitors to VexTrio's scam infrastructure. Examples of such injections include Balada, DollyWay, Sign1, and DNS TXT record campaigns.

These scripts reroute site visitors to various scam pages through traffic broker networks associated with VexTrio, which is one of the largest known cybercriminal affiliate networks. VexTrio employs sophisticated DNS techniques, traffic distribution systems, and domain generation algorithms to deliver malware and scams across global networks.

The Shifting Landscape of VexTrio's Operations

VexTrio's operations faced a setback in mid-November 2024 when the Swiss-Czech adtech company Los Pollos was exposed as part of the network. This revelation led Los Pollos to cease its push link monetization, prompting threat actors reliant on the Los Pollos network to migrate to alternative redirect destinations like Help TDS and Disposable TDS.

Further analysis has revealed that Help TDS and Disposable TDS are, in fact, the same entity. Historically, Help TDS exclusively redirected traffic to VexTrio domains but has since shifted its focus to Monetizer, a monetization platform that uses TDS technology to connect web traffic from publisher affiliates to advertisers.

The Russian Nexus and Broader Implications

Help TDS exhibits a strong Russian connection, with hosting and domain registration frequently conducted through Russian entities. While its operators may be independent, Help TDS shares a "special relationship" with VexTrio, suggesting coordination and shared software.

VexTrio is one of many TDSs that have been unmasked as commercial adtech firms, alongside Partners House, BroPush, RichAds, Admeking, and RexPush. Many of these entities focus on push notification services, utilizing Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or custom-developed Push API-based scripts to distribute links to malicious content.

Hundreds of thousands of compromised websites globally redirect victims annually to the intricate web of VexTrio and its affiliated TDSs. Despite the illicit nature of their activities, VexTrio and other affiliate advertising companies possess sufficient information to track down the malware actors they work with. Many of these companies are registered in countries that require some degree of "know your customer" (KYC) protocols, and even without such requirements, publishing affiliates are often vetted by their customer managers.

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Sources

• How VexTrio and Affiliates Run a Global Scam Network, The Hacker News.