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[Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/ "Malware") [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) # Threat Brief: SolarStorm and SUNBURST Customer Coverage ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 14 min read Related Products [![Advanced DNS Security icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced DNS Security](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-dns-security/ "Advanced DNS Security")[![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 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Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [FireEye breach](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fireeye-breach/) * [SolarStorm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/solarstorm/) * [SolarWinds](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/solarwinds/) * [SUNBURST](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/sunburst/) * [TEARDROP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/teardrop/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fireeye-solarstorm-sunburst/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=40dbae5d0f "Click here to download") * [![Print 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Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Ffireeye-solarstorm-sunburst%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=Threat%20Brief:%20SolarStorm%20and%20SUNBURST%20Customer%20Coverage%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Ffireeye-solarstorm-sunburst%2F "Share in Mastodon") ## Executive Summary On Sunday, Dec. 13, FireEye released information related to a breach and data exfiltration originating from an unknown actor FireEye is calling UNC2452. Unit 42 tracks this and related activity as the group named SolarStorm, and has published an ATOM containing the observed techniques, IOCs and relevant courses of action in the [Unit 42 ATOM Viewer](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atoms/solarstorm/). According to FireEye, SolarStorm has compromised organizations across the globe via a supply chain attack that consists of a trojanized update file for the SolarWinds Orion Platform. FireEye's blog, "[Highly Evasive Attacker Leverages SolarWinds Supply Chain to Compromise Multiple Global Victims with SUNBURST Backdoor](https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2020/12/evasive-attacker-leverages-solarwinds-supply-chain-compromises-with-sunburst-backdoor.html)," contains a wealth of useful information, all of which has been analyzed by Unit 42 researchers to help ensure Palo Alto Networks customers are protected. Any organization utilizing SolarWinds Orion IT management software is potentially at risk from this threat. These organizations should immediately identify Orion systems in their network, determine if they are compromised with the SUNBURST backdoor and seek out further evidence of compromise. Instructions on how to perform these tasks using the [Palo Alto Networks Next Generation Firewall](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fireeye-solarstorm-sunburst/2), [Cortex XDR and XSOAR](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fireeye-solarstorm-sunburst/3) are available in this report, as well as [additional resources and indicators of compromise](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fireeye-solarstorm-sunburst/4) (IOCs). Palo Alto Networks has also launched [SolarStorm Rapid Response Programs](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/solarstorm-rapid-response). The details of this attack and its impact continue to evolve. We will update this report with new details as they become available. ## What's Known About SolarStorm and SUNBURST * SolarStorm specifically targeted supply chains during their attack on SolarWinds' Orion IT performance and statistics monitoring software. * SolarStorm is a highly skilled threat actor, with a significant operational security mindset, as can be observed in its post-exploitation activity. * SolarWinds recently filed an SEC report indicating that, while they have over 300,000 customers, fewer than 18,000 customers were running the trojanized version of the Orion software. * SolarStorm threat actors created a legitimate digitally signed backdoor, SUNBURST, as a trojanized version of a SolarWinds Orion plug-in. The trojanized software acts as a powerful supply chain infiltration mechanism for delivery. * SUNBURST has been observed delivering multiple payloads, mostly focused on memory-only droppers, such as the FireEye-dubbed TEARDROP and Cobalt Strike BEACON. * SUNBURST's command and control (C2) traffic masquerades as legitimate Orion Improvement Program traffic. * FireEye has released [signatures](https://github.com/fireeye/sunburst_countermeasures) and specific indicators to help identify SolarStorm's activity. FireEye's research has been a cornerstone in providing not only useful signatures, but also indicators which help with tracking and hunting for SolarStorm activity. A synopsis of those indicators is included below. #### **SUNBURST** At the time of this publication, the Windows Installer Patch file including the trojanized version of the SolarWinds Orion product was still reachable: Filename: SolarWinds-Core-v2019.4.5220-Hotfix5.msp SHA256: d0d626deb3f9484e649294a8dfa814c5568f846d5aa02d4cdad5d041a29d5600 This installer contains: * Legitimate SolarWinds Orion update components. * A digitally signed SUNBURST backdoor, and its legitimate configuration file: * SHA256: 32519b85c0b422e4656de6e6c41878e95fd95026267daab4215ee59c107d6c77 * Filename: SolarWinds.Orion.Core.BusinessLayer.dll * Certificate SN: 0f:e9:73:75:20:22:a6:06:ad:f2:a3:6e:34:5d:c0:ed * SHA256: efbec6863f4330dbb702cc43a85a0a7c29d79fde0f7d66eac9a3be43493cab4f * Filename: SolarWinds.Orion.Core.BusinessLayer.dll.config The infrastructure related to this series of attacks includes: * Trojanized update file hosted at: * hxxps://downloads.solarwinds\[.\]com/solarwinds/CatalogResources/Core/2019.4/2019.4.5220.20574/SolarWinds-Core-v2019.4.5220-Hotfix5.msp * DGA-generated C2s as subdomains of: * avsvmcloud\[.\]com * C2 domains found during SUNBURST incidents, including CNAME records, or subsequent phases of the incident, such as BEACON components: * freescanonline\[.\]com * deftsecurity\[.\]com * thedoccloud\[.\]com * websitetheme\[.\]com * highdatabase\[.\]com * incomeupdate\[.\]com * databasegalore\[.\]com * panhardware\[.\]com * Zupertech\[.\]com * Virtualdataserver\[.\]com * digitalcollege\[.\]org * solartrackingsystem\[.\]net * webcodez\[.\]com * seobundlekit\[.\]com * virtualwebdata\[.\]com * lcomputers\[.\]com * avsvmcloud\[.\]com * Mobilnweb\[.\]com * kubecloud\[.\]com #### **TEARDROP** SUNBURST deployed several different payloads, and in at least one instance, a memory-only dropper FireEye dubbed TEARDROP to deploy a Cobalt Strike BEACON. During analysis of the information available, Unit 42 identified related activity involving TEARDROP malware that was used to execute a customized Cobalt Strike BEACON. This sample contains a beacon request to the *previously unreported domain* mobilnweb\[.\]com. The TEARDROP DLL has a SHA256 of: 118189f90da3788362fe85eafa555298423e21ec37f147f3bf88c61d4cd46c51 and contains a beacon request for the URI /2019/Person-With-Parnters-Brands-Our/ with the User-Agent Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/85.0.4183.83 Safari/537.36. Within that same configuration, we also observed an additional URI setting containing the string /2019/This-Person-Two-Join-With/. ## Protecting Our Customers As of the time of writing, based on signatures and observables that have been released, Palo Alto Networks customers are protected across our product ecosystem, with specific protections deployed or being deployed in the following products and subscriptions for the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW). It is imperative for customers to employ the [best practices for Palo Alto Networks products](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/best-practices) in order to ensure your appliances are configured in a manner best suited for your protection. Due to the nature of these attacks, we recommend our customers perform the following searches immediately. If you are unable, Palo Alto Networks [will help you locate](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/solarstorm-rapid-response) SolarWinds Orion servers owned by your organization and assess whether you've been compromised free of charge. After we've completed our analysis, we'll provide you with a SolarStorm Assessment Report brought to you by Expanse and Crypsis. ###### **[Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr)** [Cortex XDR customers are protected](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr/cortex-xdr-pro-admin/endpoint-security/endpoint-security-concepts/endpoint-protection-modules.html) using the product's WildFire integration, as well as through Local Analysis, the Password Theft Protection module and the Behavioral Threat Protection (BTP) engine. Protections are continually being evaluated, developed and deployed for Cortex XDR. ###### **[Cortex XDR Managed Threat Hunting](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-threat-hunting)** Our Cortex XDR Managed Threat Hunting Team (MTH) has proactively searched all Cortex XDR Pro customer logs to identify potentially impacted organizations and provide them an assessment of their risk. Leverage the[power of automation with Cortex XSOAR](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/security-operations/cortex-xsoar-solarstorm-sunburst/) to speed up the discovery of SolarWind installations within your network, uncover signs of potential SolarStorm activity and automate response actions such as the quarantining of compromised endpoints. ###### **[WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire) (NGFW security subscription)** Customers using WildFire are protected from downloading known SUNBURST backdoor files and Cobalt Strike BEACON files associated with SolarStorm. Gap analysis and threat hunting leveraging the FireEye-provided [Yara](https://virustotal.github.io/yara/) signatures and observables has enabled Unit 42 researchers to identify potential malware samples. We continue to seek out new malware associated with SolarStorm, build and deploy protections for them within [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire). ###### **[AutoFocus](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/autofocus)** AutoFocus customers can track SolarStorm's activity in the tags [SolarStorm](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.SolarStorm), [SUPERNOVA](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.SUPERNOVA), [TEARDROP](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.TEARDROP) and [SUNBURST](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.SUNBURST). ###### **[IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/iot-security)** **(NGFW security subscriptions)** The IoT Security subscription has the capability of identifying SolarWinds servers. These devices are being added to the IoT Security user portal UI, and the Device-ID attribute will be pushed to PAN-OS. These devices will be displayed to users as "SolarWinds Network Management Device" within the IoT Security user portal UI. In PAN-OS, users will see the Device-ID attribute "Profile" = "SolarWinds Network Management Device". This feature will be enabled for all IoT Security customers this week. ###### [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/subscriptions/threat-prevention)[DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/threat-detection-and-prevention/dns-security) (NGFW security subscriptions) Threat Prevention and DNS Security provide protection against C2 beacons and associated traffic. Protections are continually being evaluated, developed and deployed for Threat Prevention subscription. The following threat prevention signatures have been added with Content version 8354: |----------------------------|---------------| | **Snort Rule** | **PANW UTID** | | Backdoor.BEACON\_5.snort | 86237 | | Backdoor.BEACON\_6.snort | 86238 | | Backdoor.SUNBURST\_11.snort | 86239 | | Backdoor.SUNBURST\_14.snort | 86240 | | Backdoor.BEACON\_7.snort | 86242 | | Backdoor.SUNBURST\_12.snort | 86243 | | Backdoor.BEACON\_8.snort | 86244 | | Backdoor.SUNBURST\_13.snort | 86245 | | Backdoor.SUNBURST\_1.snort | 86246 | | Backdoor.SUNBURST\_10.snort | 86247 | | Backdoor.BEACON\_2.snort | 86248 | | Backdoor.BEACON.snort | 86249 | | Backdoor.BEACON\_0.snort | 86250 | | Backdoor.BEACON\_1.snort | 86251 | *Table 1: Snort to PANW UTID* ###### **[URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/threat-detection-and-prevention/web-security)** **(NGFW security subscription)** As of the time of writing, associated infrastructure described in this blog have accurate verdicts of malware. ***Continue Reading: [SolarStorm Response With Next-Generation Firewall](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fireeye-solarstorm-sunburst/2)*** ***[Back to Top](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fireeye-solarstorm-sunburst/)*** Back to top ### Tags * [FireEye breach](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fireeye-breach/ "FireEye breach") * [SolarStorm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/solarstorm/ "SolarStorm") * [SolarWinds](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/solarwinds/ "SolarWinds") * [SUNBURST](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/sunburst/ "SUNBURST") * [TEARDROP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/teardrop/ "TEARDROP") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: PyMICROPSIA: New Information-Stealing Trojan from AridViper](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/pymicropsia/ "PyMICROPSIA: New Information-Stealing Trojan from AridViper") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Strategically Aged Domain Detection: Capture APT Attacks With DNS Traffic Trends](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/strategically-aged-domain-detection/ "article - table of contents") * [SolarStorm Supply Chain Attack Timeline](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/solarstorm-supply-chain-attack-timeline/ "article - table of contents") * [SUPERNOVA: A Novel .NET Webshell](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/solarstorm-supernova/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Malware Resources ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. Close-up of a person wearing glasses, with computer code reflected in the lenses.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/12_Security-Technology_Category_1920x900-786x368.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/) September 10, 2026 [#### The Machine With Many Faces: Post-Exploitation Identity Misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kubernetes-spiffe-spire-identity-spoofing/) * [API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api/ "API") * [Cryptographic](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptographic/ "cryptographic") * [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/kubernetes-spiffe-spire-identity-spoofing/ "The Machine With Many Faces: Post-Exploitation Identity Misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE") ![Pictorial representation of a pay-per-install threat group campaign prodiving infection service for spreading malware. 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, symbolizing data processing and transfer. The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-6-786x368.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/) September 9, 2026 [#### Untracked Nightmares: The Threats Hiding Behind Commodity Infrastructure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ppi-network-malware-campaign-analysis/) * [ARKTunnel](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/arktunnel/ "ARKTunnel") * [C2](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/c2/ "C2") * [CL-CRI-1171](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-1171/ "CL-CRI-1171") [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/ppi-network-malware-campaign-analysis/ "Untracked Nightmares: The Threats Hiding Behind Commodity Infrastructure") ![Pictorial representation of attackers using AI tools to target Latin American organizations. 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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