Malware Families

Ryuk is a ransomware which encrypts its victim's files and asks for a ransom via bitcoin to release the original files. It is has been observed being used to attack companies or professional environments. Cybersecurity experts figured out that Ryuk and Hermes ransomware shares pieces of codes. Hermes is commodity ransomware that has been observed for sale on dark-net forums and used by multiple threat actors.

According to sysdig, SNOWLIGHT is used as a dropper for its fileless payload (vshell).

aka Farfli, Gh0st RAT, PCRat

According to Security Ninja, Gh0st RAT (Remote Access Terminal) is a trojan “Remote Access Tool” used on Windows platforms, and has been used to hack into some of the most sensitive computer networks on Earth. Below is a list of Gh0st RAT capabilities. Take full control of the remote screen on the infected bot. Provide real time as well as offline keystroke logging. Provide live feed of webcam, microphone of infected host. Download remote binaries on the infected remote host. Take control of remote shutdown and reboot of host. Disable infected computer remote pointer and keyboard input. Enter into shell of remote infected host with full control. Provide a list of all the active processes. Clear all existing SSDT of all existing hooks.

aka ALPHV, Noberus

ALPHV, also known as BlackCat or Noberus, is a ransomware family that is deployed as part of Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) operations. ALPHV is written in the Rust programming language and supports execution on Windows, Linux-based operating systems (Debian, Ubuntu, ReadyNAS, Synology), and VMWare ESXi. ALPHV is marketed as ALPHV on cybercrime forums, but is commonly called BlackCat by security researchers due to an icon of a black cat appearing on its leak site. ALPHV has been observed being deployed in ransomware attacks since November 18, 2021. ALPHV can be configured to encrypt files using either the AES or ChaCha20 algorithms. In order to maximize the amount of ransomed data, ALPHV can delete volume shadow copies, stop processes and services, and stop virtual machines on ESXi servers. ALPHV can self-propagate by using PsExec to remote execute itself on other hosts on the local network.

AsyncRAT is a Remote Access Tool (RAT) designed to remotely monitor and control other computers through a secure encrypted connection. It is an open source remote administration tool, however, it could also be used maliciously because it provides functionality such as keylogger, remote desktop control, and many other functions that may cause harm to the victim’s computer. In addition, AsyncRAT can be delivered via various methods such as spear-phishing, malvertising, exploit kit and other techniques.

VShell is an OST framework written in Go, enabling availability of implants for multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS).

aka LummaC2 Stealer

Lumma Stealer (aka LummaC2 Stealer) is an information stealer written in C language that has been available through a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) model on Russian-speaking forums since at least August 2022. It is believed to have been developed by the threat actor "Shamel", who goes by the alias "Lumma". Lumma Stealer primarily targets cryptocurrency wallets and two-factor authentication (2FA) browser extensions, before ultimately stealing sensitive information from the victim's machine. Once the targeted data is obtained, it is exfiltrated to a C2 server via HTTP POST requests using the user agent "TeslaBrowser/5.5"." The stealer also features a non-resident loader that is capable of delivering additional payloads via EXE, DLL, and PowerShell.

According to PCrisk, XMRIG is a completely legitimate open-source application that utilizes system CPUs to mine Monero cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, criminals generate revenue by infiltrating this app into systems without users' consent. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". In most cases, "bundling" is used to infiltrate several potentially unwanted programs (PUAs) at once. So, there is a high probability that XMRIG Virus came with a number of adware-type applications that deliver intrusive ads and gather sensitive information.

Cisco Talos reports that this is a data exfiltration tool used by TA505.

According to sysdig, EtherRAT uses Ethereum smart contracts for C2 URL resolution. It establishes persistence through five independent mechanisms, ensuring survival across reboots and system maintenance (systemd, xdg, cron, bashrc, profile).

aka DarkCrystal RAT

DCRat is a typical RAT that has been around since at least June 2019.

aka Winos

According to PCrisk, Hades Locker is an updated version of WildFire Locker ransomware that infiltrates systems and encrypts a variety of data types using AES encryption. Hades Locker appends the names of encrypted files with the ".~HL[5_random_characters] (first 5 characters of encryption password)" extension.

A Javascript-based worm propagating through GitHub repositories and exfiltrating tokens and other credentials.

aka Agentemis, BEACON, CobaltStrike +1

Cobalt Strike is a paid penetration testing product that allows an attacker to deploy an agent named 'Beacon' on the victim machine. Beacon includes a wealth of functionality to the attacker, including, but not limited to command execution, key logging, file transfer, SOCKS proxying, privilege escalation, mimikatz, port scanning and lateral movement. Beacon is in-memory/file-less, in that it consists of stageless or multi-stage shellcode that once loaded by exploiting a vulnerability or executing a shellcode loader, will reflectively load itself into the memory of a process without touching the disk. It supports C2 and staging over HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMB named pipes as well as forward and reverse TCP; Beacons can be daisy-chained. Cobalt Strike comes with a toolkit for developing shellcode loaders, called Artifact Kit. The Beacon implant has become popular amongst targeted attackers and criminal users as it is well written, stable, and highly customizable.

aka Atomic macOS Stealer

Varonis summarizes Mimikatz as an open-source application that allows users to view and save authentication credentials like Kerberos tickets. Benjamin Delpy continues to lead Mimikatz developments, so the toolset works with the current release of Windows and includes the most up-to-date attacks. Attackers commonly use Mimikatz to steal credentials and escalate privileges: in most cases, endpoint protection software and anti-virus systems will detect and delete it. Conversely, pentesters use Mimikatz to detect and exploit vulnerabilities in your networks so you can fix them.

As described on the Github repository page, "A sugared version of RottenPotatoNG, with a bit of juice, i.e. another Local Privilege Escalation tool, from a Windows Service Accounts to NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM".

aka TAG-124, js.LandUpdate808

Kongtuke is a sophisticated TDS system that was initially discovered around May 2024. Making use of compromised CMS Websites, Kongtuke redirects website visitors through a multi-stage infection process ultimately leading to device infection. Initially using fake Update lures, it started to use FakeCaptcha lures at the beginning of 2025. It is likely an initial access service, selling infections to both Ransomware affiliates and other IA vendors like SocGholish.

Qilin ransomware, initially observed in July 2022 under the name “Agenda,” operates on a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. This model allows core developers to provide their malicious software and infrastructure to affiliates in exchange for a percentage of the profits generated from attacks. The name “Qilin” references a Chinese mythological creature symbolizing power and prosperity, a fitting metaphor for the group’s perceived influence and financial objectives. Despite the Chinese name, the group is linked to Russian-speaking cybercriminals, often recruiting affiliates on Russian-language forums and notably excluding Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries from its targets.

According to Proofpoint, this is a fork of Stealerium that has high overlap with its originating codebase.

aka Oakboat, Pinkslipbot, Qbot +1

QBot is a modular information stealer also known as Qakbot or Pinkslipbot. It has been active for years since 2007. It has historically been known as a banking Trojan, meaning that it steals financial data from infected systems, and a loader using C2 servers for payload targeting and download.

aka Badspace, Carrotstick, QUICKBIND

WarmCookie is backdoor that is capable of executing commands reading/writing files and capturing screenshots. It communicates with a command and control (C&C) server via HTTP to receive further instructions and exfiltrate stolen data. It is commonly distributed through phishing campaigns and malicious downloads, targeting unsuspecting users to infiltrate systems undetected.

aka JigglyPuff, Pegasus