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Ransomware Threat Assessments: A Companion to the 2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 30 min read * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/unit42/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:March 17, 2021 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * [Ransomware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/ransomware/) * [Trend Reports](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/trend-reports/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Defray777](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/defray777/) * [Dharma](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/dharma/) * [DoppelPaymer](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/doppelpaymer/) * [GandCrab](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/gandcrab/) * [NetWalker](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/netwalker/) * [Phobos](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/phobos/) * [Ransomware threat report](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ransomware-threat-report/) * [REvil](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/revil/) * [Zeppelin](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/zeppelin/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomware-threat-assessments/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=f95c25a748 "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/ransomware-threat-assessments/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=f95c25a748 "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=Ransomware%20Threat%20Assessments:%20A%20Companion%20to%20the%202021%20Unit%2042%20Ransomware%20Threat%20Report&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fransomware-threat-assessments%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%2Fransomware-threat-assessments%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%2Fransomware-threat-assessments%2F&title=Ransomware%20Threat%20Assessments:%20A%20Companion%20to%20the%202021%20Unit%2042%20Ransomware%20Threat%20Report "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%2Fransomware-threat-assessments%2F&text=Ransomware%20Threat%20Assessments:%20A%20Companion%20to%20the%202021%20Unit%2042%20Ransomware%20Threat%20Report "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%2Fransomware-threat-assessments%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=Ransomware%20Threat%20Assessments:%20A%20Companion%20to%20the%202021%20Unit%2042%20Ransomware%20Threat%20Report%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fransomware-threat-assessments%2F "Share in Mastodon") ## *Threat Assessment: DoppelPaymer Ransomware* ### Executive Summary DoppelPaymer is a ransomware family and threat actor group that first debuted publicly in [June 2019](https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/doppelpaymer-ransomware-and-dridex-2/). While attacks definitively tied to both the group and the fully mature version of the malware began in June 2019, earlier, less mature versions of the malware were obtained by security researchers several months prior, though without any definitive group affiliation. This may indicate that the actors were either testing functionality prior to employing the malware in an actual attack, or that they adjusted their approach over time in dealing with their victims. ### DoppelPaymer Malware Overview ![Conceptual image representing DoppelPaymer ransomware as part of the ransomware threat assessments companion to the 2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Ransomware-series-21-illustration_DoppelPaymer.png) DoppelPaymer is considered part of a family of ransomware called [BitPaymer](https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000261855). The actors behind DoppelPaymer share some overlap with an actor group known as Indrik Spider. The DoppelPaymer actors, like many other ransomware threat actor groups, maintain a public site and social media presence typically including lists of victims and their leaked data. ![Figure 1. DoppelPaymer’s Twitter profile with recent activity (source: Twitter).](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/word-image-77.png) Figure 1. DoppelPaymer's Twitter profile with recent activity (source: Twitter). Since DoppelPaymer's inception, the malware family has typically utilized two file extensions on victim endpoints -- .locked and .doppeled. Outside of the two file extensions employed by DoppelPaymer, this ransomware employs an interesting technique to terminate processes and services: It leverages ProcessHacker. ProcessHacker is a legitimate open-source administration application that is bundled with many DoppelPaymer samples and is used to terminate processes and services on the infected endpoint. The ransomware note displayed by DoppelPaymer closely resembles the ransomware note dropped by BitPaymer in 2018. The ransom note doesn't include the ransom amount, but it does include a .onion domain that's a portal for payment and contacting the actors behind the attack. Like the ransom note, DoppelPaymer's payment portal is nearly a clone of the original BitPaymer payment portal. ![Figure 2. DoppelPaymer ransom note displayed on infected hosts.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/word-image-78.png) Figure 2. DoppelPaymer ransom note displayed on infected hosts. Unit 42 has observed Doppelpaymer being used against firms in the wholesale and retail, manufacturing, finance, insurance, transportation and logistics, high tech, hospitality, and real estate industries. From a regional perspective, the threat actors behind DoppelPaymer have targeted victims in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Belgium, Italy, Norway, and Germany. DoppelPaymer propagates via remote human operators using compromised Domain Admin credentials to spread across an organization's network. The ransom amount the operators behind DoppelPaymer have typically demanded is between $25,000 and $17 million. The average ransom paid in 2020, typically in Bitcoin, reached $276,587.41. More information on DoppelPaymer victimology can be found in the [2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/unit-42-ransomware-threat-report). ### Courses of Action This section documents relevant tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) used with DoppelPaymer and maps them directly to Palo Alto Networks product(s) and service(s). It also further instructs customers on how to ensure their devices are configured correctly. |-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Product / Service** | **Course of Action** | | **Initial Access, Defense Evasion, Persistence, Privilege Escalation** || | **Domain Accounts \[T1078.002\]** || | NGFW | Ensure that User-ID is only enabled for internal trusted interfaces | | NGFW | Ensure that 'Include/Exclude Networks' is used if User-ID is enabled | | NGFW | Ensure that the User-ID Agent has minimal permissions if User-ID is enabled | | NGFW | Ensure that the User-ID service account does not have interactive logon rights | | NGFW | Ensure remote access capabilities for the User-ID service account are forbidden. | | Threat Prevention\*†\* | Ensure that antivirus profiles are set to block on all decoders except 'imap' and 'pop3' | | Threat Prevention\*†\* | Ensure a secure antivirus profile is applied to all relevant security policies | | Threat Prevention\*†\* | Ensure that all zones have Zone Protection Profiles with all Reconnaissance Protection settings enabled, tuned and set to appropriate actions | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - Access Investigation Playbook | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - Impossible Traveler | | **Exfiltration, Collection, Discovery, Impact** || | **Automated Exfiltration \[T1020\], Data from Local System \[T1059.003\], System Network Configuration Discovery \[T1016\], Inhibit System Recovery \[T1490\], Data Encrypted for Impact \[T1486\]** || | Cortex XDR | Enable Anti-Exploit Protection | | Cortex XDR | Enable Anti-Malware Protection | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - Block IP | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - Block URL | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - Hunting and Threat Detection Playbook | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - PAN-OS Query Logs for Indicators | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - Palo Alto Networks Endpoint Malware Investigation | | Cortex XSOAR | Deploy XSOAR Playbook - Ransomware Manual for incident response. | ^*Table 1. Courses of Action for DoppelPaymer ransomware.*^^*†These capabilities are part of the NGFW security subscriptions service.*^ ### Conclusion Unfortunately, the similarities between BitPaymer, DoppelPaymer and other ransomware families suggests ransomware actors are borrowing from each other's playbooks on a regular basis. Like other ransomware actors, the actors behind DoppelPaymer maintain an active social media presence and leak site, while also seeking increasing ransom amounts from victims, much the same way ransomware threat actor groups in the past have done. Palo Alto Networks detects and prevents DoppelPaymer in the following ways: * [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire): All known samples are identified as malware. * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr) with: * Indicators for DoppelPaymer. * Anti-Ransomware Module to detect DoppelPaymer encryption behaviors. * Local Analysis detection to detect DoppelPaymer binaries. * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall): DNS Signatures detect the known command and control (C2) domains, which are also categorized as malware in [URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/threat-detection-and-prevention/web-security). * [AutoFocus](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/autofocus): Tracking related activity using the [BitPaymerFamily](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.BitPaymerFamily) tag. Additionally, Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) associated with DoppelPaymer are available on [GitHub](https://github.com/pan-unit42/iocs/blob/master/DoppelPaymer), and have been published to the Unit 42 TAXII [feed](https://github.com/pan-unit42/iocs/tree/master/stix2-reports/report_json). ### Additional Resources * [BitPaymer Source Code Fork: Meet DoppelPaymer Ransomware and Dridex 2.0](https://www.crowdstrike.com/blog/doppelpaymer-ransomware-and-dridex-2/) * [BitPaymer Malware Information](https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000261855) ***Continue Reading: [Phobos](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomware-threat-assessments/5)*** ***[Back to Top](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomware-threat-assessments/)*** Back to top ### Tags * [Defray777](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/defray777/ "Defray777") * [Dharma](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/dharma/ "Dharma") * [DoppelPaymer](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/doppelpaymer/ "DoppelPaymer") * [GandCrab](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/gandcrab/ "GandCrab") * [NetWalker](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/netwalker/ "NetWalker") * [Phobos](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/phobos/ "Phobos") * [Ransomware threat report](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ransomware-threat-report/ "ransomware threat report") * [REvil](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/revil/ "REvil") * [Zeppelin](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/zeppelin/ "Zeppelin") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Highlights from the 2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomware-threat-report-highlights/ "Highlights from the 2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Unit 42 Ransomware and Extortion Report Highlights: Multi-Extortion Tactics Continue to Rise](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/multi-extortion-rise-ransomware-report/ "article - table of contents") * [Ransom Cartel Ransomware: A Possible Connection With REvil](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransom-cartel-ransomware/ "article - table of contents") * [Understanding REvil: REvil Threat Actors May Have Returned (Updated)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/revil-threat-actors/ "article - table of contents") ## Related 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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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") * ![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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