Threats Tagged 'dropcatch'

Three financially motivated threat actors acquire expired malicious domains through dropcatch to inherit traffic from previously compromised websites. Stuffy Squirrel specializes in hiding activity within legitimate scripts and has operated since 2020, selling traffic to affiliate advertising networks. Shady Squirrel uses custom JavaScript and Keitaro injections with multi-step cloaking, partnering with initial access brokers to deliver tech support scams and SocGholish malware, notably facilitating SocGholish's return within weeks of Operation Endgame disruption. Swiping Squirrel, the most prolific actor, operates in greyhat territory by selling fraudulent traffic to zero-click advertising platforms like ZeroPark, often resulting in malvertising and malware distribution. These actors control thousands of domains collectively, exploiting lingering infections from previous compromises without conducting new attacks themselves.

MediumMalwareUnited StatesJapan#expired domains#malvertising#tech support scam

Sable Squirrel operates a massive criminal enterprise controlling over 10,000 domains, spending an estimated $7 million acquiring expired domains to inherit their reputation and traffic. The actor runs illegal Asian sports streaming services under brands like Xoilac, Cakhia, and 90phut, which funnel viewers to gambling platforms including VSBet and 8xbet. Analysis reveals over 31,000 malware samples connecting to Sable Squirrel infrastructure, including Quasar RAT, AsyncRAT, DCRat, and ransomware variants, with the same domains simultaneously hosting streaming content and serving as command-and-control servers. Despite Vietnamese law enforcement actions in early 2026, including arrests and asset seizures, the operation quickly recovered and expanded for the World Cup, demonstrating resilience through domain rotation and shared technical infrastructure spanning multiple Asian markets.