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Goodbye Mworm, Hello Nworm: TrickBot Updates Propagation Module ![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") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Brad Duncan](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/brad-duncan/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:May 28, 2020 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Mworm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mworm/) * [Nworm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/nworm/) * [Trickbot](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/trickbot/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/goodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=40dbae5d0f "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/goodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=40dbae5d0f "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-share-link.svg) * [![Link Email](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-sms.svg)](mailto:?subject=Goodbye%20Mworm,%20Hello%20Nworm:%20TrickBot%20Updates%20Propagation%20Module&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fgoodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module%2F "Share in email") * [![Facebook Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-fb-share.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fgoodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module%2F "Share in Facebook") * [![LinkedIn Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-linkedin-share.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fgoodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module%2F&title=Goodbye%20Mworm,%20Hello%20Nworm:%20TrickBot%20Updates%20Propagation%20Module "Share in LinkedIn") * [![Twitter Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-twitter-share.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fgoodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module%2F&text=Goodbye%20Mworm,%20Hello%20Nworm:%20TrickBot%20Updates%20Propagation%20Module "Share in Twitter") * [![Reddit 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%2Fgoodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module%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=Goodbye%20Mworm,%20Hello%20Nworm:%20TrickBot%20Updates%20Propagation%20Module%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fgoodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module%2F "Share in Mastodon") ## Executive Summary First [discovered in 2016](https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-analysis/2016/10/trick-bot-dyrezas-successor/), TrickBot is an information stealer that provides backdoor access sometimes used by criminal groups to distribute other malware. TrickBot uses modules to perform different functions, and one key function is propagating from an infected Windows client to a vulnerable Domain Controller (DC). TrickBot currently uses three modules for propagation. As early as [April 2020](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2020/04/20/index2.html), TrickBot updated one of its propagation modules known as "mworm" to a new module called "nworm." Infections caused through nworm leave no artifacts on an infected DC, and they disappear after a reboot or shutdown. Other key differences of the new nworm module include: * * It retrieves an encrypted, or otherwise encoded binary, over network traffic that represents a TrickBot executable file (the old mworm module sent it as an executable file without any sort of encryption/encoding). * A TrickBot infection caused by the new mworm module is run from system RAM and does not appear to remain persistent on an infected host. * This is a much better method of evading detection on an infected DC. TrickBot is a significant threat that has received high-profile coverage in recent years, and this is a notable evolution. This blog reviews TrickBot modules, and it covers characteristics of the new nworm module in greater detail. #### TrickBot Modules TrickBot is modular, meaning it uses various binaries to perform different functions during an infection. In most cases, the basis of a TrickBot infection is a malicious Windows executable (EXE) file saved to disk. This EXE is often called a "TrickBot loader" because it loads the TrickBot modules. TrickBot modules are dynamic link libraries (DLLs) or EXEs run from system memory. See Figure 1 for a visualization of TrickBot modules. [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-1.-A-visual-representation-of-TrickBot-and-its-modules..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-1.-A-visual-representation-of-TrickBot-and-its-modules..jpeg) Figure 1. A visual representation of TrickBot and its modules. On an infected Windows 10 host, TrickBot modules are only found in system memory. But on an infected Windows 7 host, we also see artifacts related to the modules stored on the disk. These artifacts are encrypted binaries. During a TrickBot infection, these encrypted binaries are decrypted and run from system memory as TrickBot modules. Figure 2 shows an example of artifacts for TrickBot modules from an[infection on a Windows 7 client in January 2020](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2020/01/14/index.html). [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-2.-Example-of-artifacts-for-TrickBot-modules-on-an-infected-Windows-7-client..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-2.-Example-of-artifacts-for-TrickBot-modules-on-an-infected-Windows-7-client..jpeg) Figure 2. Example of artifacts for TrickBot modules on an infected Windows 7 client. As seen in Figure 2, the artifact names end with 64, meaning this host is running a 64-bit version of Windows 7. If the infection happens on a 32-bit Windows 7 host, these artifact names would end in 32 instead of 64. Figure 2 also reveals three modules TrickBot uses to spread to a DC in an Active Directory (AD) environment. They are: * * mwormDll64 (the "mworm" module) * mshareDll64 (the "mshare" module) * tabDll64 (the "tab" module) Note: The tab module has a propagation function, but it also includes[different capabilities](https://www.zdnet.com/article/old-trickbot-trojan-taught-new-tricks/) not applicable to this blog. #### Modules for Propagation [Starting in September 2019](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2019/09/25/index2.html), TrickBot modules with propagation capabilities have been mworm, mshare, and tab. They generate distinct activity when propagating to a vulnerable DC. For the mshare and tab modules: * * An infected Windows client retrieves a new TrickBot EXE using an HTTP URL. * The infected Windows client sends this new TrickBot EXE over SMB traffic to the vulnerable DC. For the mworm module: * * The infected Windows client uses an SMB exploit targeting the vulnerable DC. * The vulnerable DC retrieves a new TrickBot EXE using an HTTP URL and infects itself with it. Of note, the mworm module did not usually appear unless the TrickBot infection happened in an AD environment with a DC. Figure 3 shows a flow chart of propagation traffic caused by these three TrickBot modules. [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-3.-TrickBot-propagation-flow-chart-from-September-2019-through-March-2020..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-3.-TrickBot-propagation-flow-chart-from-September-2019-through-March-2020..jpeg) Figure 3. TrickBot propagation flow chart from September 2019 through March 2020. [Since February 2020](https://twitter.com/malware_traffic/status/1232782901927972865), URLs generated by these modules to retrieve follow-up TrickBot EXE files used the following patterns: * * URL generated by mshare module ends with /images/cursor.png * URL generated by mworm module ends with /images/redcar.png * URL generated by tab module ends with /images/imgpaper.png These URLs use IP addresses instead of domains. Figure 4 shows an example of the traffic filtered in Wireshark from a pcap of a TrickBot infection in [March 2020](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2020/03/04/index.html). [![Trickbot nworm and tab module](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-4.-HTTP-GET-requests-caused-by-TrickBot’s-mshare-mworm-and-tab-modules..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-4.-HTTP-GET-requests-caused-by-TrickBot’s-mshare-mworm-and-tab-modules..jpeg) Figure 4. HTTP GET requests caused by TrickBot's mshare, mworm and tab modules. #### Goodbye Mworm: Hello Nworm [In April 2020](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2020/04/20/index2.html) while generating a TrickBot infection in a lab environment, TrickBot stopped using the mworm module. In its place, a new artifact named "nworm" appeared on an infected Windows 7 client. Figure 5 shows an example of this new nworm artifact. [![New nworm module](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-5.-New-nworm-module-found-from-an-infection-on-April-24-2020..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-5.-New-nworm-module-found-from-an-infection-on-April-24-2020..jpeg) Figure 5. New nworm module found from an infection on April 24, 2020. HTTP traffic for follow-up TrickBot EXEs caused by nworm is noticeably different than traffic caused by mworm. The differences are: * * mworm: URL for TrickBot EXE ends with /images/redcar.png * nworm: URL for TrickBot EXE ends with /ico/VidT6cErs * * mworm: Follow-up TrickBot EXE is returned unencrypted in the HTTP traffic * nworm: Follow-up TrickBot EXE is returned as an encrypted or otherwise encoded binary in the HTTP traffic By using Wireshark and examining TCP streams, we can easily spot the differences in HTTP traffic caused by the old mworm module and the new nworm module. Figure 6 shows traffic from the mworm module [in March 2020](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2020/03/04/index.html), and Figure 7 shows traffic from the nworm module [in April 2020](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2020/04/20/index2.html). [![nworm module in March](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-6.-TCP-stream-showing-HTTP-traffic-caused-by-the-mworm-module-in-March-2020..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-6.-TCP-stream-showing-HTTP-traffic-caused-by-the-mworm-module-in-March-2020..jpeg) Figure 6. TCP stream showing HTTP traffic caused by the mworm module in March 2020. [![nworm module April 2020](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-7.-TCP-stream-showing-HTTP-traffic-caused-by-the-nworm-module-April-2020.png)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-7.-TCP-stream-showing-HTTP-traffic-caused-by-the-nworm-module-April-2020.png) Figure 7. TCP stream showing HTTP traffic caused by the nworm module April 2020. Figure 8 shows the current propagation flowchart, highlighting changes seen with the nworm module since April 2020. [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-8.-TrickBot-propagation-flow-chart-since-April-2020..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-8.-TrickBot-propagation-flow-chart-since-April-2020..jpeg) Figure 8. TrickBot propagation flow chart since April 2020. Like mworm, the new nworm module does not appear unless the TrickBot infection happens in an AD environment with a DC. #### TrickBot Caused By Nworm: Not Persistent When nworm infects a vulnerable DC, the malware is run from memory. No artifacts are found on the infected DC and TrickBot on the DC doesn't survive a reboot. In cases where mshare and tab infect a vulnerable DC with TrickBot, these infections remain persistent on the DC, but TrickBot caused by nworm is not persistent. This shouldn't be an issue for the malware, because the DC is a server and servers rarely shut down or reboot like a Windows client. #### Post-Infection Gtag from TrickBot Caused By Nworm Every TrickBot binary has an identifier called a gtag. This is found in configuration data extracted from a TrickBot binary. Gtags can also be found in HTTP traffic during a TrickBot infection. They indicate the specific campaign or source of infection used for a TrickBot binary. The gtag is a short alphabetic string followed by a number representing a one-up serialization. Examples follow: * * mor-series gtag: TrickBot caused by an Emotet infection, for example: TrickBot gtag mor84 caused by Emotet on [January 27th, 2020](https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Emotet+epoch+1+infection+with+Trickbot+gtag+mor84/25752/). * ono-series gtag: various TrickBot infections initiated through malicious Microsoft Office documents like Word documents or Excel spreadsheets, distributed through English-language emails. * red-series gtag: TrickBot distributed as a DLL file instead of an EXE, for example: TrickBot gtag red5 documented on [March 17th, 2020](https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Trickbot+gtag+red5+distributed+as+a+DLL+file/25918/). Gtags for TrickBot binaries used by TrickBot modules are unique. They break out as: * * tot-series gtag: TrickBot binaries used by mshare module * jim-series gtag: TrickBot binaries used by nworm (and the old mworm) module * lib-series gtag: TrickBot binaries used by tab module Figure 9 and Figure 10 show gtags from traffic filtered in Wireshark from an infection on [April 20th, 2020](https://www.malware-traffic-analysis.net/2020/04/20/index2.html). In these images, the Windows client is at 10.4.20.101, and the DC is at 10.4.20.4. [![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-9.-The-initial-TrickBot-infection-where-HTTP-traffic-from-an-infected-client-at-10.4.20.101-shows-gtag-ono38.-1.jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-9.-The-initial-TrickBot-infection-where-HTTP-traffic-from-an-infected-client-at-10.4.20.101-shows-gtag-ono38.-1.jpeg) Figure 9. The initial TrickBot infection, where HTTP traffic from an infected client at 10.4.20.101 shows gtag ono38. [![Infection caused by the nworm module.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-10.-TrickBot-spreads-to-the-DC-where-we-see-gtag-jim716-from-an-infection-caused-by-the-nworm-module..jpeg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Figure-10.-TrickBot-spreads-to-the-DC-where-we-see-gtag-jim716-from-an-infection-caused-by-the-nworm-module..jpeg) Figure 10. TrickBot spreads to the DC where we see gtag jim716 from an infection caused by the nworm module. ## Conclusion An infection caused by nworm is run from system memory, leaves no artifacts on an infected DC and disappears after a reboot or shutdown. Furthermore, the TrickBot binary used by nworm is encrypted or otherwise encoded when it is retrieved over the Internet. These characteristics are likely an attempt by TrickBot developers to avoid detection. This is the latest in a series of changes in TrickBot as it evolves within our current threat landscape. However, best security practices like running fully-patched and up-to-date versions of Microsoft Windows will hinder or prevent TrickBot infections. Palo Alto Networks customers are further protected from TrickBot by our threat prevention platform. [AutoFocus](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/autofocus) users can track TrickBot activity by using the [TrickBot](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.TrickBot) tag. #### Indicators of Compromise ##### **Recent HTTP URLs for TrickBot binaries for propagation to vulnerable DC** (Read: First seen YYYY-MM-DD - module name - URL) 2020-04-20 - nworm - hxxp://107.172.221\[.\]106/ico/VidT6cErs 2020-04-20 - mshare - hxxp://107.172.221\[.\]106/images/cursor.png 2020-04-20 - tab - hxxp://107.172.221\[.\]106/images/imgpaper.png 2020-05-08 - nworm - hxxp://23.95.227\[.\]159/ico/VidT6cErs 2020-05-08 - mshare - hxxp://23.95.227\[.\]159/images/cursor.png 2020-05-08 - tab - hxxp://23.95.227\[.\]159/images/imgpaper.png ##### **SHA256 hash for nwormDll64 artifact (encrypted binary) from an infected Windows 7 client on April 24th 2020:** 900aa025bf770102428350e584e8110342a70159ef2f92a9bfd651c5d8e5f76b ##### **SHA256 hash for nwormDll64 artifact (encrypted binary) from an infected Windows 7 client on May 8th 2020:** 85d88129eab948d44bb9999774869449ab671b4d1df3c593731102592ce93a70 Back to top ### Tags * [Mworm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/mworm/ "Mworm") * [Nworm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/nworm/ "Nworm") * [Trickbot](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/trickbot/ "Trickbot") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Rootless Containers: The Next Trend in Container Security](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/rootless-containers-the-next-trend-in-container-security/ "Rootless Containers: The Next Trend in Container Security") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Banking Trojan Techniques: How Financially Motivated Malware Became Infrastructure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/banking-trojan-techniques/ "article - table of contents") * [Threat Assessment: Ryuk Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ryuk-ransomware/ "article - table of contents") * [TrickBot Campaign Uses Fake Payroll Emails to Conduct Phishing Attacks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/trickbot-campaign-uses-fake-payroll-emails-to-conduct-phishing-attacks/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Malware Resources ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. 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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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