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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=1628116e08 "Click here to download") * [![Print 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This section provides details of multiple queries and examples of their outputs. 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 their appliances are configured in a manner best suited for their protection. The following query filter will identify hosts contacting a server using the SolarWinds App-ID. (app eq solarwinds) or (app eq solarwinds-agent) or (app eq solarwinds-base) or (app eq solarwinds-msp-anywhere) or (app eq solarwinds-npm) or (app eq solarwinds-sam) |---|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | (app eq solarwinds) or (app eq solarwinds-agent) or (app eq solarwinds-base) or (app eq solarwinds-msp-anywhere) or (app eq solarwinds-npm) or (app eq solarwinds-sam) | ## ![Example query filter to identify hosts contacting a server using the SolarWinds App-ID.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-1.png) URL Filtering can also help identify compromised servers. This query filter will identify systems connecting to the SolarWinds download server and specifically downloading the SUNBURST plugin update. ( url contains downloads.solarwinds.com ) or ( url eq 'downloads.solarwinds.com/solarwinds/CatalogResources/Core/2019.4/2019.4.5220.20574/SolarWinds-Core-v2019.4.5220-Hotfix5.msp' ) |---|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | ( url contains downloads.solarwinds.com ) or ( url eq 'downloads.solarwinds.com/solarwinds/CatalogResources/Core/2019.4/2019.4.5220.20574/SolarWinds-Core-v2019.4.5220-Hotfix5.msp' ) | ![Example of how URL Filtering can help identify systems connecting to the SolarWinds download server and specifically downloading the SUNBURST plug-in update.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-2.png) ![Example of URL Filtering categorizing the download of the SUNBURST plug-in update as malware.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-3.png) --- The following URL Filtering query will identify traffic to the known SUNBURST command and control domains: ( url contains avsvmcloud.com ) or ( url contains freescanonline.com ) or ( url contains deftsecurity.com ) or ( url contains thedoccloud.com ) or ( url contains websitetheme.com ) or ( url contains highdatabase.com ) or ( url contains incomeupdate.com ) or ( url contains databasegalore.com ) or ( url contains panhardware.com ) or ( url contains zupertech.com ) or ( url contains virtualdataserver.com ) or ( url contains digitalcollege.org) |---|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | ( url contains avsvmcloud.com ) or ( url contains freescanonline.com ) or ( url contains deftsecurity.com ) or ( url contains thedoccloud.com ) or ( url contains websitetheme.com ) or ( url contains highdatabase.com ) or ( url contains incomeupdate.com ) or ( url contains databasegalore.com ) or ( url contains panhardware.com ) or ( url contains zupertech.com ) or ( url contains virtualdataserver.com ) or ( url contains digitalcollege.org) | ## ![Example of how URL Filtering can identify traffic to the known SUNBURST command and control domains.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-4.png) File Blocking will identify hosts that have downloaded the known filenames associated with the SUNBURST plugin update. ( filename eq SolarWinds-Core-v2019.4.5220-Hotfix5.msp ) and ( threat\_name eq 'Windows Installer Patch MSP File' ) |---|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | ( filename eq SolarWinds-Core-v2019.4.5220-Hotfix5.msp ) and ( threat\_name eq 'Windows Installer Patch MSP File' ) | ## ![Example of how File Blocking will identify hosts that have downloaded the known filenames associated with the SUNBURST plug-in update.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-5.png) Threat logs can expose DNS queries that indicate SUNBURST command and control traffic. The following filter identifies known domain names used by the backdoor. ( threat\_name eq 'generic:avsvmcloud.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:freescanonline.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:deftsecurity.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:thedoccloud.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:websitetheme.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:highdatabase.com') or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:incomeupdate.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:databasegalore.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:panhardware.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:zupertech.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:virtualdataserver.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:digitalcollege.org' ) |---|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | ( threat\_name eq 'generic:avsvmcloud.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:freescanonline.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:deftsecurity.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:thedoccloud.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:websitetheme.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:highdatabase.com') or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:incomeupdate.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:databasegalore.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:panhardware.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:zupertech.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:virtualdataserver.com' ) or ( threat\_name eq 'generic:digitalcollege.org' ) | ## ![Threat logs can expose DNS queries that indicate SUNBURST command and control traffic.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-6.png) The following v9.x query can also be used to expose relative DNS queries: ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:avsvmcloud.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:freescanonline.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:deftsecurity.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:thedoccloud.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:websitetheme.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:highdatabase.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:incomeupdate.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:databasegalore.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:panhardware.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:zupertech.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:virtualdataserver.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:digitalcollege.org)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:solartrackingsystem.net)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:webcodez.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:seobundlekit.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:virtualwebdata.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:lcomputers.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:mobilenweb.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:kubecloud.com)' ) |---|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:avsvmcloud.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:freescanonline.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:deftsecurity.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:thedoccloud.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:websitetheme.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:highdatabase.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:incomeupdate.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:databasegalore.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:panhardware.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:zupertech.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:virtualdataserver.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:digitalcollege.org)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:solartrackingsystem.net)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:webcodez.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:seobundlekit.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:virtualwebdata.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:lcomputers.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:mobilenweb.com)' ) or ( url eq 'Suspicious DNS Query (generic:kubecloud.com)' ) | ![This example shows how to expose relative DNS queries signaling possible SolarStorm compromise.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/image2.png) WildFire and Threat Prevention identify the known SUNBURST backdoor files. The following filter will identify the specific threats associated with SUNBURST in the Threat log. (name-of-threatid eq 392983194) or (name-of-threatid eq 392972205) or (name-of-threatid eq 393078495) |---|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | (name-of-threatid eq 392983194) or (name-of-threatid eq 392972205) or (name-of-threatid eq 393078495) | ## ![This example shows how WildFire and Threat Prevention can identify the specific threats associated with SUNBURST in the Threat log.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-7.png) The following filter will identify known SUNBURST and TEARDROP files submitted to WildFire in the WildFire submissions log: ( filedigest eq ce77d116a074dab7a22a0fd4f2c1ab475f16eec42e1ded3c0b0aa8211fe858d6 ) or ( filedigest eq 019085a76ba7126fff22770d71bd901c325fc68ac55aa743327984e89f4b0134 ) or ( filedigest eq 32519b85c0b422e4656de6e6c41878e95fd95026267daab4215ee59c107d6c77 ) or ( filedigest eq 118189f90da3788362fe85eafa555298423e21ec37f147f3bf88c61d4cd46c51 ) |---|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | ( filedigest eq ce77d116a074dab7a22a0fd4f2c1ab475f16eec42e1ded3c0b0aa8211fe858d6 ) or ( filedigest eq 019085a76ba7126fff22770d71bd901c325fc68ac55aa743327984e89f4b0134 ) or ( filedigest eq 32519b85c0b422e4656de6e6c41878e95fd95026267daab4215ee59c107d6c77 ) or ( filedigest eq 118189f90da3788362fe85eafa555298423e21ec37f147f3bf88c61d4cd46c51 ) | ## ![This example shows how known SUNBURST files submitted to WildFire in the WildFire submissions log can be identified.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-8.png) Threat Prevention can detect command and control traffic from SUNBURST as well as the Cobalt Strike Beacon used by SolarStorm. The following filter will identify this command and control traffic in the Threat log. (name-of-threatid eq 86237) or (name-of-threatid eq 86238) or (name-of-threatid eq 86239) or (name-of-threatid eq 86240) or (name-of-threatid eq 86242) or (name-of-threatid eq 86243) or (name-of-threatid eq 86244) or (name-of-threatid eq 86245) or (name-of-threatid eq 86246) or (name-of-threatid eq 86247) or (name-of-threatid eq 86248) or (name-of-threatid eq 86249) or (name-of-threatid eq 86250) or (name-of-threatid eq 86251) |---|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | (name-of-threatid eq 86237) or (name-of-threatid eq 86238) or (name-of-threatid eq 86239) or (name-of-threatid eq 86240) or (name-of-threatid eq 86242) or (name-of-threatid eq 86243) or (name-of-threatid eq 86244) or (name-of-threatid eq 86245) or (name-of-threatid eq 86246) or (name-of-threatid eq 86247) or (name-of-threatid eq 86248) or (name-of-threatid eq 86249) or (name-of-threatid eq 86250) or (name-of-threatid eq 86251) | ![Threat Prevention can detect command and control traffic from SUNBURST as well as the Cobalt Strike Beacon used by SolarStorm.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NGFW-screenshot-9.png) ***Continue reading: [SolarStorm Response With Cortex XDR and/or Cortex XSOAR](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fireeye-solarstorm-sunburst/3)*** [***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 a magnifying glass illuminating a glowing orange circular digital circuit interface on a dark, high-tech background.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/04_Myth-Busting_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Insights-icon-white.svg)Insights](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/insights/) September 16, 2026 [#### Atomic macOS (AMOS) Stealer Activity](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atomic-macos-amos-stealer-activity/) * [MacOS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/macos/ "macOS") * [Threat intelligence](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/threat-intelligence/ "threat intelligence") * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/unit-42/ "Unit 42") [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/atomic-macos-amos-stealer-activity/ "Atomic macOS (AMOS) Stealer Activity") ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. 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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") * ![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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