Threats Tagged 'psexec'

The Gentlemen ransomware-as-a-service program has rapidly expanded since mid-2025, claiming over 320 victims with 240 attacks occurring in early 2026. The service provides multi-platform lockers for Windows, Linux, NAS, BSD, and ESXi, enabling comprehensive coverage of corporate environments. During an incident response engagement, an affiliate deployed SystemBC proxy malware for covert tunneling and payload delivery. Analysis of the SystemBC command-and-control server revealed a botnet of over 1,570 victims, primarily corporate and organizational targets. The intrusion progressed from domain controller compromise through credential validation, remote execution via administrative shares, and deployment of Cobalt Strike payloads. Attackers disabled defenses, established persistence through scheduled tasks and services, and ultimately deployed ransomware via Group Policy. The operation demonstrates sophisticated lateral movement capabilities, defense evasion techniques, and integration of mature post-exploit...

LeakNet, a ransomware operator, has expanded its initial access methods by utilizing ClickFix lures on compromised websites and implementing a new Deno-based, in-memory loader. The group has shifted from relying on initial access brokers to running its own campaigns. LeakNet's post-exploitation playbook remains consistent, involving jli.dll side-loading, PsExec-based lateral movement, and S3 bucket payload staging. The Deno loader executes base64-encoded payloads in memory, making detection challenging for traditional security tools. Defenders are advised to focus on behavioral signals and implement measures such as blocking newly registered domains, restricting Win-R access, and limiting PsExec usage to authorized administrators.

MediumCampaignUnited StatesUnited KingdomGermany+7#side-loading#s3 bucket#lateral movement

From September to December 2024, incidents involving CrossC2, an extension tool for Cobalt Strike Beacon on Linux, were confirmed. The attacker used CrossC2 along with other tools like PsExec, Plink, and Cobalt Strike to penetrate AD. A custom malware called ReadNimeLoader was used as a loader for Cobalt Strike. The campaign may have affected multiple countries. CrossC2 is an unofficial Beacon and builder compatible with Cobalt Strike 4.1+, designed for Linux and macOS. It contains anti-analysis features and encrypted configuration data. The attack flow involved java.exe, ReadNimeLoader, and OdinLdr to execute Cobalt Strike Beacon. Other tools used include SystemBC, GetNPUsers, and privilege escalation tools. The campaign shows potential connections to BlackBasta based on similar characteristics.

MediumMalwareGermanyFranceUnited Kingdom+7#readnimeloader#systembc#crossc2

A new ransomware variant called KawaLocker (KAWA4096) was recently observed in an attack. The threat actor gained initial access via RDP using a compromised account and employed various tools to disable security measures. HRSword, a monitoring tool, was deployed along with kernel drivers sysdiag.sys and hrwfpdr.sys. The attacker used PsExec to enable RDP on additional endpoints. KawaLocker ransomware was then deployed against the E:\ volume, encrypting files and leaving a ransom note. Post-encryption, the attacker deleted Volume Shadow Copies, cleared Windows Event Logs, and removed the ransomware executable. The incident highlights the importance of detecting and remediating such attacks promptly.

MediumMalwareGermanyUnited KingdomFrance+4#rdp#psexec#hrsword