The Pure malware family is a collection of malicious tools developed by an individual or group known as PureCoder. This suite includes several components: PureHVNC RAT, a remote administration tool that allows attackers to control infected systems remotely; PureRAT, a successor to PureHVNC with enhanced capabilities; PureCrypter, which serves as a malware obfuscator to evade antivirus detection; and PureLogs, a stealer/logger designed to harvest sensitive information from compromised hosts. These tools are sold and distributed through underground cybercrime forums, Telegram channels, and dedicated websites, making them accessible to a broad range of threat actors, from script kiddies to advanced persistent threat groups. The modular design allows attackers to build customized malware payloads tailored to specific operations. PureHVNC RAT enables full remote control, including file access, process manipulation, and system reconnaissance. PureCrypter helps malware bypass signature-based detection by encrypting or obfuscating the payload. PureLogs facilitates credential theft and data exfiltration. Although no active exploitation campaigns have been publicly reported, the availability of these tools lowers the barrier to entry for cybercriminals and increases the risk of targeted attacks. The malware primarily targets Windows operating systems, leveraging common infection vectors such as phishing emails, malicious downloads, or exploitation of vulnerable services. The suite’s obfuscation and modularity complicate detection and incident response efforts. The research by Check Point highlights the evolution of the Pure malware family from a simple RAT to a comprehensive builder and coder platform, indicating ongoing development and potential future threats.

For European organizations, the Pure malware family represents a significant threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT systems. The RAT components enable attackers to gain persistent remote access, potentially leading to data theft, espionage, or sabotage. The stealer/logger modules can compromise sensitive corporate credentials, intellectual property, and personal data, increasing the risk of financial fraud and regulatory non-compliance under GDPR. The obfuscation techniques employed by PureCrypter reduce the effectiveness of traditional antivirus solutions, increasing dwell time and complicating detection. Industries with critical infrastructure, manufacturing, finance, and government sectors are particularly at risk due to the potential for operational disruption and data breaches. The malware’s distribution through Telegram and underground forums also means that European organizations could face targeted campaigns or collateral infections from widespread malware dissemination. The medium severity rating reflects the current lack of known active exploitation but acknowledges the high potential impact if leveraged in targeted attacks. The threat could also facilitate lateral movement within networks, enabling attackers to escalate privileges and compromise additional assets.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered defense strategy tailored to the Pure malware family’s characteristics. First, enhance email security by deploying advanced phishing detection and sandboxing to block initial infection vectors. Second, monitor network traffic for unusual remote administration protocol usage, especially connections consistent with RAT behavior such as PureHVNC. Third, deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying obfuscated malware and anomalous process behaviors associated with PureCrypter and PureLogs. Fourth, restrict or monitor access to Telegram and known underground forums at the network perimeter to reduce exposure to malware distribution channels. Fifth, conduct regular threat hunting exercises focused on indicators of compromise related to Pure malware, even though specific IOCs are not currently public, by looking for suspicious process injections, persistence mechanisms, and credential theft activities. Sixth, enforce strict access controls and network segmentation to limit lateral movement in case of infection. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential ransomware or destructive payloads that could be deployed using this malware suite.