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[Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/ "Malware") [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) # Digium Phones Under Attack: Insight Into the Web Shell Implant ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 7 min read Related Products [![Advanced Threat Prevention icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced Threat Prevention](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-threat-prevention/ "Advanced Threat Prevention")[![Advanced URL Filtering icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced URL Filtering](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-url-filtering/ "Advanced URL Filtering")[![Advanced WildFire icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced 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In November 2020, the [INJ3CTOR3](https://research.checkpoint.com/2020/inj3ctor3-operation-leveraging-asterisk-servers-for-monetization/) operation targeted the Sangoma PBX, a popular VoIP PBX system, by installing a web shell on its web server. Recently, Unit 42 observed another operation that targets the [Elastix](https://www.voip-info.org/elastix/) system used in [Digium phones](https://github.com/FreePBX/digium_phones). The attacker implants a web shell to exfiltrate data by downloading and executing additional payloads inside the target's Digium phone software (a FreePBX module written in PHP). In terms of the timeline, the web shell appears to be correlated to the remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability [CVE-2021-45461](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45461) in the Rest Phone Apps (restapps) module. As of this writing, we have witnessed more than 500,000 unique malware samples of this family over the period spanning from late December 2021 till the end of March 2022. The malware installs multilayer obfuscated PHP backdoors to the web server's file system, downloads new payloads for execution and schedules recurring tasks to re-infect the host system. Moreover, the malware implants a random junk string to each malware download in an attempt to evade signature defenses based on indicators of compromise (IoCs). Palo Alto Networks [Next-Generation Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall) customers are protected from this malware with the [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire) and [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/subscriptions/threat-prevention) security subscriptions. |----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | CVEs discussed | [CVE-2021-45461](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45461) | ## Background on Malicious Activity Targeting Digium's Asterisk Recently, the WildFire team has observed a high volume of malicious traffic that seems to be originating from the same family of samples. Specifically, we witnessed more than 500,000 unique samples over the period spanning from mid-December 2021 till the end of March 2022. This unusual activity targets Digium's widely adopted open source Asterisk communication software for VoIP phone devices. ![IP PBX SIP Trunking: VoIP Provider \> Internet \> On Premises IP-PBX \> Desk Phones](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Screen-Shot-2022-07-14-at-5.31.13-PM.png) Figure 1. IP PBX phone systems rely on SIP Trunking for phone connectivity. Source: https://www.nextiva.com/blog/what-is-ip-pbx.html Elastix is the largest open source software solution for unified communications server software that brings together Internet Protocol (IP) Private Branch Exchange (PBX), email, IM, faxing and collaboration functionality. It has a web interface and includes capabilities such as call center software with predictive dialing. Its functionality is based on open source projects including Asterisk, FreePBX, HylaFAX, Openfire and Postfix. FreePBX is the most widely used open source IP PBX software in the world, offering organizations an all-in-one solution. It is freely available to download and install, complete with all the basic elements needed to build a phone system. It is sponsored and developed by Sangoma and a robust global community. It features an intuitive modular graphical user interface (GUI), harnessing the power of Asterisk, making it much easier to deploy and use. [digium\_phones](https://github.com/FreePBX/digium_phones) is a FreePBX module written in PHP. The malicious activity we recently observed bears similarity to the [INJ3CTOR3 report](https://research.checkpoint.com/2020/inj3ctor3-operation-leveraging-asterisk-servers-for-monetization) released by Check Point Research two years ago, and could potentially be a resurgence of this attack campaign. A [report](https://community.freepbx.org/t/0-day-freepbx-exploit/80092) was posted on the FreePBX community forum in December 2021, followed by another [report](https://community.freepbx.org/t/k-php-a-restapps-malicious-script/80399/21) in January 2022. These reports are consistent with the proposition that this is indeed a resurgence of the previous campaign. For instance, the eight default available commands below were shown in the INJ3CTOR3 report (dated Nov. 5, 2020) in Figure 12, "The attacker's web panel." These are identical to those listed in the FreePBX community forum thread "K.php - a RestApps malicious script," post 21/74 (dated Jan. 12, 2022), by ​​Denis Soloviov and others. 1. ls -la 2. ps -aux --forest 3. asterisk -rx 'core show channels' 4. asterisk -rx 'sip show peers' 5. cat /etc/elastix.conf 6. cat /etc/asterisk/sip\_additional.conf 7. cat /etc/asterisk/extensions\_custom.conf 8. cat /etc/amportal.conf Further research shows that our finding could be a consequence of the official announcement of a [known security issue](https://community.freepbx.org/t/security-issue-potential-rest-phone-apps-rce/80109), [CVE-2021-45461](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45461) [Potential Rest Phone Apps RCE](https://wiki.freepbx.org/display/FOP/2021-12-21+SECURITY%3A+Potential+Rest+Phone+Apps+RCE). This vulnerability lies in the Rest Phone Apps (restapps) module, allowing for a URL variable to potentially get passed, resulting in a remote code execution (RCE) scenario. In this blog, we illuminate the inner workings of the initial dropper shell script, which installs the PHP web shell backdoor and attempts to maintain the foothold inside the target's environment. ## Attack Vector ![We were able to broadly categorize our original sample set into two main groups (Group 1 and 2), with one of the groups (Group 2) being further subdivided into two subgroups (A and B). We believe that Group 1 and Group 2 represent different versions of the attack script (Group 2 is the later version).](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/points-scored-3.png) Figure 2. Pie chart depicting the clustering of the sample set into two main groups (Group 1 and Group 2). Group 2 is more dominant. We were able to broadly categorize our original sample set into two main groups (Group 1 and 2), with one of the groups (Group 2) being further subdivided into two subgroups (A and B). We believe that Group 1 and Group 2 represent different versions of the attack script (Group 2 is the later version). The subgroups A and B indicate two different clusters of targets. |---------------------|-------------|------------| | | **Group** || | | **1** | **2** | | Heading | ZenharPanel | Ask Master | | Submit button label | ZenharR | Ask | *Table 1. Table depicting the characteristics of two main groups (Group 1 and Group 2) in terms of Heading and Submit button label.* ![Code outline of initial dropper script (variant 1).](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/word-image-81.png) Figure 3a. Code outline of initial dropper script (variant 1). ![Code outline of initial dropper script (variant 2).](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/word-image-82.png) Figure 3b. Code outline of initial dropper script (variant 2). The initial dropper scripts are generally small in terms of filesize: * 12,750-byte payload fetched from hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/z/wr\[.\]php * 17,215-byte payload fetched from hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/k\[.\]php We would typically expect this from a shell script embedding a PHP web shell payload. There are always 14 lines of code, wrapped in multiple layers of Base64 encoding to hide certain key areas, and one of the Base64-encoded payloads was duplicated. ![SH \> ajax.php (web shell), .htaccess (configuration), persistence script](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/word-image-83.png) Figure 4. Overview of initial dropper script. ### Initial Dropper The initial dropper is a shell script with two main objectives, namely: 1. Install the obfuscated PHP backdoor in multiple locations in the file system. 2. Maintain access by: 1. Creating several root user accounts. 2. Setting up a scheduled task to re-infect the host system. This dropper also tries to blend into the existing environment by spoofing the timestamp of the installed PHP backdoor file to that of a known file already on the system. Furthermore, the dropper belonging to variant 1, as depicted in Figure 3a, fetches and executes a remote script from the attacker's infrastructure: IPv4 address 37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74. This IPv4 address is geographically located in the Netherlands. Extracting its past DNS records reveals association to mostly adult-themed Russian domains, such as: 1. campusteen\[.\]ru 2. caramelgirl\[.\]ru 3. cumixface\[.\]ru 4. cutiebooty\[.\]ru 5. gentlepus\[.\]ru 6. lopornix\[.\]ru 7. megabobox\[.\]ru 8. sledporn\[.\]ru 9. Super-teen\[.\]ru 10. sweetassma\[.\]ru At the time of writing, we verified that parts of the attacker infrastructure remain online and are actively serving malicious payloads, particularly: * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/k\[.\]php * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/z/wr\[.\]php The following were inactive at that point in time: * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/z/post/noroot\[.\]php * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/z/post/root\[.\]php ### Web Shell The PHP web shell contains random junk comments, in an attempt to evade signature-based defenses. Additionally, it is wrapped in multiple layers of Base64 encoding, in order to mask its true intent. It is able to handle the following parameters in the incoming web request: * md5 * admin * cmd * call The web shell is protected by a hardcoded "MD5 authentication hash," which seems to be uniquely mapped to the victim's public IPv4 address. The user-supplied md5 parameter in the incoming web request is required to match this authentication hash before the login is successful and the session is established, such that the user can interact with the web shell. The web shell is also able to accept an admin parameter, which can either be the value Elastic or Freepbx. Then the respective Administrator session will be created. Besides supporting arbitrary commands via the cmd request parameter, the following built-in default commands are included: 1. ls -la 2. ps -aux --forest 3. asterisk -rx 'core show channels' 4. asterisk -rx 'sip show peers' 5. cat /etc/elastix.conf 6. cat /etc/asterisk/sip\_additional.conf 7. cat /etc/asterisk/extensions\_custom.conf 8. cat /etc/amportal.conf Lastly, there is a call HTTP request parameter, which starts a call from the Asterisk command line interface (CLI): asterisk -rx "channel originate Local/'\\@\ application wait \'" ### Configuration File Another Base64-encoded payload replaces the .htaccess configuration file, in order to enable the behavior "follow symbolic links," as well as render config.php as the default page. .htaccess is a configuration file by an Apache web server, to specify configuration options on a per-directory basis. It contains one or more configuration directives, which apply to that certain directory, and all subdirectories thereof. ### Persistence Mechanism The sample attempts to achieve persistence via the following means: * Creation of root user accounts. * Named sugarmaint, with password uenQjcP3Il/zE * Named supports, with password uenQjcP3Il/zE * Adding a scheduled task entry. * Runs every minute. * Fetches a remote copy of the script from hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/k\[.\]php * Executes it in the shell. ## Conclusion The strategy of implanting web shells in vulnerable servers is not a new tactic for malicious actors. The only way to catch advanced intrusions is a defense-in-depth strategy. Only by orchestrating multiple security appliances and applications in a single pane can defenders detect these attacks. Aside from the numerous protections offered across the Palo Alto Networks product suite, WildFire, Advanced URL Filtering and Threat Prevention provide coverage for this family of samples. In particular, Palo Alto Networks customers receive protections in the following ways: * Malware sandbox detection through [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire) ([Next-Generation Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall) security subscription), * Advanced URL Filtering categorizes those source URLs as serving malicious payloads, and would block the access attempts, * An array of defenses including IPS and AppID in [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/subscriptions/threat-prevention) ([Next-Generation Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall) security subscription). ## Indicators of Compromise Remote Public URLs * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/k\[.\]php * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/z/wr\[.\]php * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/z/post/noroot\[.\]php * hxxp\[://\]37\[.\]49\[.\]230\[.\]74/z/post/root\[.\]php Original Shell Scripts - SHA256 hashes * 000a3688455edacc1dac17539797dc98f055091898a65cd520fb8459c1bc2a2a * 0012342749e3bae85a9269a93661e2eb00437c71b2bca2eaca458147f9fe8471 * 001305bd3be538e50014d42f02dee55056b73a1df770e2605aded8a970091f2f * 0050232e04880fbe1d0c670b711b66bb46c32febdc9513074612c90f1f24631b * 0059d7b736dc1e61bd5b22fff601579fbc8a12b00981fdd34fd13f0fb44688b0 * 0088cba19eec78daee0310854c4bf8f7efc64b89bdc7517f0a1c7ebbba673f72 Local Filepaths * /var/www/html/admin/assets/ajax.php * /var/www/html/admin/assets/config.php * /var/www/html/admin/assets/js/config.php * /var/www/html/admin/modules/core/ajax.php * /var/www/html/digium\_phones/ajax.php * /var/www/html/rest\_phones/ajax.php Unique Strings * ZenharPanel * ZenharR * Ask Master ## Additional Resources * [PHP Web Shell](https://secure.wphackedhelp.com/blog/web-shell-php-exploit) Back to top ### Tags * [CVE-2021-45461](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2021-45461/ "CVE-2021-45461") * [Digium Asterisk](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/digium-asterisk/ "Digium Asterisk") * [Mobile](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mobile/ "mobile") * [Mobile malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mobile-malware/ "mobile malware") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Cobalt Strike Analysis and Tutorial: CS Metadata Encryption and Decryption](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cobalt-strike-metadata-encryption-decryption/ "Cobalt Strike Analysis and Tutorial: CS Metadata Encryption and Decryption") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Threat Brief: Embrace Mobile Banking with Caution](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-threat-brief-embrace-mobile-banking-caution/ "article - table of contents") * [Targeted Attacks in the Middle East Using KASPERAGENT and MICROPSIA](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-targeted-attacks-middle-east-using-kasperagent-micropsia/ "article - table of contents") * [A New Trend in Android Adware: Abusing Android Plugin Frameworks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-new-trend-android-adware-abusing-android-plugin-frameworks/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Malware Resources ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. 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A vibrant cityscape with silhouettes of numerous people walking along a bustling street. The scene is illuminated by bright urban lights and digital-like particles, creating a dynamic and futuristic atmosphere.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AdobeStock_768915868-2-1-786x373.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) September 3, 2026 [#### Attackers Expose Ongoing AI Tool Use Targeting Organizations in Latin America](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-tool-use-targeting-latam-orgs/) * [Agentic AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/agentic-ai/ "Agentic AI") * [ChatGPT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chatgpt/ "ChatGPT") * [CL-CRI-1131](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-1131/ "CL-CRI-1131") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-tool-use-targeting-latam-orgs/ "Attackers Expose Ongoing AI Tool Use Targeting Organizations in Latin America") ![Pictorial representation of vishing campaigns in Microsoft Teams. A digital image of a skull formed by blue binary code on a black background, with scattered ones and zeros and digital noise, symbolizes how stealthy prompt injection attacks can exploit AI logic to bypass security controls.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/01_Malware_Category_1920x900-5-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 31, 2026 [#### Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/) * [Cloaked Ursa](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloaked-ursa/ "Cloaked Ursa") * [Entra ID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/entra-id/ "Entra ID") * [Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-teams/ "Microsoft Teams") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/ "Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams") ![Pictorial representation of AI-enabled malware. A vibrant digital interface displaying various icons and graphs, resembling a futuristic network or data analysis dashboard. The scene is illuminated with glowing lights and patterns.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1270203474-2-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 25, 2026 [#### The State of AI-Enabled Malware August 2026: From Brand Abuse to Agentic Execution](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-enabled-malware-analysis/) * [Backdoor](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/backdoor/ "backdoor") * [Bitcoin](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bitcoin/ "Bitcoin") * [DLL hijacking](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/dll-hijacking/ "DLL hijacking") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-enabled-malware-analysis/ "The State of AI-Enabled Malware August 2026: From Brand Abuse to Agentic Execution") ![Pictorial representation of identity abuse through trusted communication channels. Close-up view of a digital screen displaying a glitched and pixelated image of a skull-like shape.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/02_Malware_Category_1920x900-2-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 20, 2026 [#### Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/) * [Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/authentication/ "authentication") * [Identity theft](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/identity-theft/ "identity theft") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/malware/ "malware") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/ "Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels") ![Pictorial representation of Kimwolf botnet malware family. Digital screen with a warning sign reading "Malware." The background features lines of computer code and graphics, creating a sense of cybersecurity threat.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_Malware_Category_1920x900-3-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 11, 2026 [#### Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/) * [Android APK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/android-apk/ "Android APK") * [Ethereum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ethereum/ "Ethereum") * [HTTP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/http/ "HTTP") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/ "Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet") ![Pictorial representatiom pf Aeternum's blockchain C2. A close-up of a computer circuit board with a central microchip is depicted. Red digital data streams in the form of glowing binary numbers and arrows appear to flow in and out of the chip. The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-4-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 10, 2026 [#### The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum's Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/) * [Aeternum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aeternum/ "Aeternum") * [Infection chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infection-chain/ "infection chain") * [JSON](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/json/ "JSON") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/ "The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications") ![Pictorial representation of ChainDrop, a self-propagating npm worm. An artistic depiction of a digital workspace featuring an open laptop with a red virus on the screen.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03_Malware_Category_1920x900-7-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) August 6, 2026 [#### ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/) * [Blockchain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blockchain/ "blockchain") * [ChainDrop](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chaindrop/ "ChainDrop") * [Claude code](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/claude-code/ "Claude code") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/ "ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm") ![Pictorial representation of Token-jacking. A person types on a laptop with multiple digital interface elements projected, including an "AI" icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1246251272-2-786x369.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 6, 2026 [#### Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/) * [AI API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-api/ "AI API") * [AI gateway](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-gateway/ "AI gateway") * [API keys](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api-keys/ "API keys") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/ "Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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