Threats Tagged 'danabot'

ESET Research contributed to a global disruption operation targeting the Amadey botnet and Stealc infostealer, both malware-as-a-service offerings. The operation, coordinated by Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, BitSight, Lumen, and MBSD, impacted approximately 50 domains and nearly 200 active IP-based command and control servers. ESET provided technical analyses, statistical information, C&C server lists, encryption keys, campaign identifiers, and affiliate-level insights gathered from three years of tracking. Both malware families operate through affiliate networks where operators deploy their own infrastructure, making disruption efforts particularly challenging. Amadey primarily functions as a modular loader distributing additional payloads, while Stealc focuses on credential theft from browsers, crypto wallets, and applications. The largest Amadey botnet cluster accounted for 34% of all samples and distributed an average of 14 payloads per victim, operating a pay-per-install model that monetized compromi...

A multinational law enforcement operation called Operation Endgame has successfully disrupted SocGholish, a malware framework operated by threat actor TA569 since 2017. The operation took down 106 servers and domains and remediated nearly 15,000 compromised WordPress websites. SocGholish uses fake browser update prompts on compromised websites to trick victims into downloading malicious JScript payloads, providing initial access to corporate networks for ransomware deployment and data breaches. Analysis revealed that 55% of Infoblox cloud customers were exposed to SocGholish in 2026, demonstrating widespread impact across multiple industries including government, education, and healthcare. The framework employs domain shadowing techniques and operates through a four-stage attack chain involving traffic acquisition, filtering, fake update lures, and on-device implant execution. SocGholish infrastructure has facilitated access for various ransomware families and has been extensively used by the notorious Evi...

Cybercriminals are targeting trucking and logistics companies to steal cargo freight through elaborate attack chains. They compromise companies and use their access to bid on cargo shipments, which they then steal and sell. The threat actors typically deliver remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools as a first-stage payload. This cyber-enabled theft is part of a multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise that has increased due to digital transformation. The attackers use tactics such as compromising load boards, email thread hijacking, and direct targeting via email campaigns. They deliver RMM tools like ScreenConnect, SimpleHelp, and PDQ Connect, which grant full control of compromised machines. The activity has been observed since at least June 2025, with nearly two dozen campaigns in the last two months alone.

MediumMalwareGermanyNetherlandsBelgium+5#screenconnect#lumma stealer#phishing

A critical vulnerability named DanaBleed was discovered in DanaBot's C2 server, causing memory leaks from June 2022 to early 2025. This bug, introduced in version 2380, exposed sensitive information including threat actor details, server data, and victim credentials. The leak resulted from uninitialized memory in the C2 protocol update. Researchers gained insights into DanaBot's operations, infrastructure, and affiliates. In May 2025, law enforcement dismantled DanaBot's infrastructure and indicted 16 individuals in Operation Endgame. The blog details the technical analysis of the vulnerability, its impact, and the type of data exposed through the memory leak.

MediumMalwareUkraineGermanyFrance+5#cybercrime#danableed#c2 server

The infostealer Danabot has been disrupted in a multinational law enforcement operation. ESET has been tracking Danabot since 2018, contributing to the effort by providing technical analyses and identifying C&C servers. Danabot operates as a malware-as-a-service, offering various features like data theft, keylogging, and remote control. It has been used to distribute additional malware, including ransomware. The malware's authors promote their toolset through underground forums, providing affiliates with an administration panel, backconnect tool, and proxy server application. Distribution methods have included email spam, other malware, and misuse of Google Ads. Danabot employs a proprietary encrypted communication protocol and offers multiple build options for affiliates.

MediumMalwareGermanyUnited KingdomFrance+4#banking trojan#malware-as-a-service#danabot

DanaBot, a versatile and persistent threat since 2018, has evolved from a banking trojan to a multi-purpose malware platform. It maintained an average of 150 active C2 servers daily, with 1,000 daily victims across 40+ countries. The malware's stealth and multi-tiered architecture contributed to its success. Operated likely from Russia, DanaBot's infrastructure includes Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 C2 servers. The botnet's size peaked during high-profile events, with Mexico and the US among the most impacted countries. Despite its longevity, only 25% of its C2 servers had detectable malicious signatures. Operation Endgame II, a collaborative effort between security firms and law enforcement, dealt a significant blow to DanaBot's operations.

MediumMalwareGermanyFranceUnited Kingdom+7#malware-as-a-service#stealth tactics#infostealer

International law enforcement agencies have taken additional actions in Operation Endgame, targeting cybercriminal organizations, particularly those behind DanaBot. DanaBot is a powerful modular malware family written in Delphi, capable of keylogging, capturing screenshots, recording desktop videos, exfiltrating files, injecting content into web browsers, and deploying second-stage malware. It operates as a Malware-as-a-Service platform, enabling various attacks. DanaBot has been used in targeted attacks against government officials in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, and for DDoS attacks against Ukrainian servers. The malware implements a custom binary protocol encrypted with RSA and AES, and uses hardcoded C2 servers with Tor as a backup communication channel. Over 50 nicknames have been associated with DanaBot affiliates.

MediumMalwareUkrainePolandRomania+7#danabot#smokeloader#lumma