The Week in Review from Stamus Labs

Welcome to the weekly threat detection update report from Stamus Networks. Each week, you will receive this email with a summary of the updates.

Current Stamus Threat Intelligence (STI) release version: 1267

This week, in addition to daily ruleset and IOC updates, we provided Stamus Security Platform customers with the following improved defense(s):

New threat detection(s) added [1]: 2 (Vulnerable system, Nosviak)
Major changes to detections(s) [2]: 305
Updated threat detection(s) [3]: 318

Note: a "method" as referenced below, is a discrete detection vector for a given threat.

New Threat(s) Detected

The following detections were added to your Clear NDR (formerly Stamus Security Platform) this past week:

Nosviak (Botnet)

Nosviak is a botnet C2 system with multiple callback communication protocols, similar to Mirai and Qbot.

Nosviak - ThreatFox |

Total number of detection methods: 13
Kill chain phase(s): command and control
MITRE ATT&CK: T1071

Major Detection Changes

The following detections were updated this past week with changes to kill chain phase(s) or MITRE ATT&CK tactic(s)/technique(s):

Banker Stealer (Data Theft)

Info stealers are malware that gather data from infected computers and send it to attackers. They use methods like browser hooking, web injection scripts, form grabbing, keylogging, and stealing saved passwords.

Added kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery, actions on objectives
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1041, T1071
Methods added: 6

Blackmoon (Data Theft)

The Blackmoon banking Trojan, first analyzed in 2014, targets online banking credentials by modifying the Hosts file to redirect domain lookups. It primarily targets South Korean online banking customers via drive-by download.

Added kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, command and control, installation, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1566, T1041
Methods added: 3

ClickFix (Phishing)

In April 2024, researchers found compromised sites leading to an iframe on pley[.]es showing an error message. The payload domain was taken offline, preventing infection. Later, the iframe was replaced with the ClearFake inject.

Added kill chain phase(s): delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): exploitation, delivery, command and control
Methods added: 3

Command and Control (Generic CnC)

Adversaries may use custom command and control protocols to communicate, mimicking or developing protocols on top of standard network stacks, instead of using existing Standard Application Layer Protocols.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, actions on objectives, delivery, installation
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1587, T1573, T1566, T1486, T1496
Methods added: 1

Doina Loader (Loader)

Loaders are remote access Trojans allowing attackers to control compromised computers. These often lightweight to avoid detection by security technology, some now include advanced features like UI and self-healing capabilities.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071
Methods added: 1

Fake Browser (Trojan)

Attackers infect enterprise networks with malware by promoting fake browser updates on hacked websites, leading to the installation of banking trojans and later ransomware encryption on compromised networks.

Added kill chain phase(s): exploitation
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery, exploitation, command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1189
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1189
Methods added: 18

Fake Service (Phishing)

Phishing involves scammers posing as familiar companies to obtain personal information. Consumers should avoid responding to suspicious emails requesting personal or financial details to prevent falling victim to these scams.

Added kill chain phase(s): delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, installation, delivery, actions on objectives
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1041
Methods added: 2

LandUpdate808 (Trojan)

Fake update variants like SocGholish, Clear Fake, Smart Ape, and ClickFix are being tracked by a collaboration introducing the LandUpdate808 Fake Update Variant.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery, command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1189
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1189
Methods added: 15

Lumma (Data Theft)

Lumma is a C-based information stealer sold on Russian underground forums and Telegram by LummaC since August 2022. It targets cryptocurrency wallets and has file grabber capabilities.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control, actions on objectives
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, command and control, installation, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1005, T1071, T1573
Methods added: 123

Malicious DGA Domain (Generic CnC)

Malicious domains are used by threat actors for malware spreading and phishing. C2 servers are established worldwide to evade detection. DGA generates domain names for command and control, challenging security professionals. Stamus Networks offers specialized detection methods.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control
Methods added: 20

Malicious Pyinstaller (Downloader)

PyInstaller creates a standalone package for Python apps, including all dependencies. However, it can also be exploited by malicious actors to distribute malware.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control
Methods added: 18

NetSupport RAT (RAT)

Remote Access Trojans allow covert surveillance and unauthorized access to victim PCs, collecting keystrokes, passwords, screenshots, and more. They differ from keyloggers by providing remote access capabilities to attackers.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): actions on objectives, command and control, exploitation, installation
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1105
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1105
Methods added: 2

Powershell Empire (Offensive Tools)

Empire is a remote administration and post-exploitation framework available on GitHub. It has Python-written main tool and OS-specific agents like PowerShell for Windows and Python for Linux/macOS, recognized in public hacking tools report.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, installation, delivery, actions on objectives
Methods added: 1

RAT Generic (RAT)

Remote Access Trojans allow covert surveillance and unauthorized access to victim PCs, collecting data like keystrokes and screenshots. They differ from keyloggers by enabling remote access for attackers.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): installation, command and control, actions on objectives, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1573
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1041, T1573
Methods added: 6

Smoke Loader (Downloader)

Smoke Loader is a malicious bot known for loading other malware. It has been active since 2011, uses deception and self-protection, and includes various payloads and plug-ins.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery, actions on objectives
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1041, T1071, T1587
Methods added: 2

SocGholish (Social Engineering)

Malwarebytes found a new social engineering toolkit that uses compromised websites to perform advanced fingerprinting checks and deliver the NetSupport RAT payload

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, exploitation, delivery, reconnaissance, actions on objectives
Methods added: 13

TA456 (APT)

Proofpoint researchers discovered a long-term social engineering and targeted malware campaign by TA456, an Iranian state-aligned threat actor. The attacker used a fake social media persona to send malware to an aerospace defense contractor's employee.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery, command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071
Methods added: 10

TA4903 (APT)

Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are stealthy threat actors, often nation states or state-sponsored groups, who gain unauthorized access to networks for political or economic motivations, utilizing various tactics to remain undetected.

Added kill chain phase(s): delivery
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): delivery
Methods added: 3

TA582 (APT)

An APT is a stealthy threat actor, often nation state or state-sponsored, gaining unauthorized access and remaining undetected in a network for political or economic reasons, targeting various sectors.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1071
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071
Methods added: 41

XWorm (RAT)

Cyble research labs found a malware developer advertising a powerful Windows RAT on the dark web during a threat-hunting exercise.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control, delivery
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1573
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1071, T1573
Methods added: 16

Xeno-RAT (RAT)

Xeno Rat offers free HVNC, live microphone feature, Socks5 reverse proxy, regular updates, and unique development from scratch, making it stand out in the crowd of remote access tools.

Added kill chain phase(s): command and control
Previously supported kill chain phase(s): command and control
MITRE ATT&CK added: T1573
Previously existing MITRE ATT&CK: T1573, T1071
Methods added: 1

Other Threat Detection Update(s)

The following threat detection(s) were improved this past week with new or updated threat methods.

Name of threat	New coverage			Total coverage			Last updated
	New Detection methods	Kill chain phases	Protocols involved	Detection methods	Kill chain phases	Protocols involved
Banker Stealer	6	actions on objectives	dns, http, tls	415	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery	dns, http, smtp, tcp, tls	2025-01-30
Blackmoon	3	actions on objectives	dns, http, tls	79	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, smtp, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-30
ClickFix	3	delivery	dns, tls, http	64	command and control, delivery, exploitation	dns, http, tls	2025-01-29
Command and Control	1	command and control	tls	542	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, icmp, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-28
Doina Loader	1	command and control	http	9	command and control	dns, http, tls	2025-01-30
Fake Browser	18	exploitation	dns, tls, http	1400	command and control, delivery, exploitation	dns, http, tls	2025-02-03
Fake Service	2	delivery	http	147	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, tcp, tls	2025-01-30
LandUpdate808	15	command and control	dns, tls, http	218	command and control, delivery	dns, http, tls	2025-02-03
Lumma	123	command and control, actions on objectives	dns, tls, http	4110	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, tls	2025-02-03
Malicious DGA Domain	20	command and control	tls, http	166	command and control	http, tls	2025-01-31
Malicious Pyinstaller	18	command and control	dns, tls, http	36	command and control	dns, http, tls	2025-01-30
NetSupport RAT	2	command and control	http	75	actions on objectives, command and control, exploitation, installation	dns, http, tls	2025-02-03
Nosviak	13	command and control	http, ssh	13	command and control	http, ssh	2025-01-30
Powershell Empire	1	command and control	http	12	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	http, tls	2025-01-30
RAT Generic	6	command and control	tcp	203	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, installation	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls, udp	2025-02-03
Smoke Loader	2	command and control, delivery	http	97	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery	dns, http, tcp, tls	2025-01-31
SocGholish	13	command and control	dns, tls, http	1249	actions on objectives, command and control, delivery, exploitation, reconnaissance	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-02-03
TA456	10	command and control, delivery	dns, tls, http	93	command and control, delivery	dns, http, tls	2025-01-29
TA4903	3	delivery	dns, tls, http	1249	delivery	dns, http, tls	2025-01-28
TA582	41	command and control	dns, http, tls	801	command and control	dns, http, tls	2025-02-03
XWorm	16	command and control	tcp-pkt	2266	command and control, delivery	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-28
Xeno-RAT	1	command and control	tcp-pkt	7	command and control	dns, http, tcp, tcp-pkt, tls	2025-01-30

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