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"Next-Generation Firewall") * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Doel Santos](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/doel-santos/) * [Alex Hinchliffe](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/alex-hinchliffe/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:June 3, 2020 * ![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/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [BackConfig](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/backconfig/) * [Hangover Group](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/hangover-group/) * [Targeted Attacks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/targeted-attacks/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-assessment-hangover-threat-group/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=edee969a51 "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/threat-assessment-hangover-threat-group/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=edee969a51 "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 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published](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/updated-backconfig-malware-targeting-government-and-military-organizations/) on activity by the Hangover threat group (aka Neon, Viceroy Tiger, MONSOON) carrying out targeted cyberattacks deploying BackConfig malware attacks against government and military organizations in South Asia. As a result, we've created this threat assessment report for the Hangover Group's activities. The techniques and campaigns can be visualized using the [Unit 42 Playbook Viewer.](https://pan-unit42.github.io/playbook_viewer/?pb=hangover) Hangover Group is a cyberespionage group that was first observed in December 2013 carrying on a cyberattack against a telecom corporation in Norway. Cybersecurity firm Norman [reported](https://web.archive.org/web/20170825010151/http://enterprise-manage.norman.c.bitbit.net/resources/files/Unveiling_an_Indian_Cyberattack_Infrastructure.pdf) that the cyberattacks were emerging from India and the group sought and carried on attacks against targets of national interest, such as Pakistan and China. However, there have been indicators of Hangover activity in the U.S. and Europe. Mainly focusing on government, military, and civilian organizations. The Hangover Group's initial vector of compromise is to carry out spear-phishing campaigns. The group uses local and topical news lures from the South Asia region to make their victims more prone to falling into their social engineering techniques, making them download and execute a weaponized Microsoft Office document. After the user executes the weaponized document, backdoor communication is established between BackConfig and the threat actors, allowing attackers to carry on espionage activity, potentially exfiltrating sensitive data from compromised systems. Palo Alto Networks [Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/subscriptions/threat-prevention) platform with [WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/secure-the-network/wildfire), [DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/threat-detection-and-prevention/dns-security) and [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr) detects activity associated with this threat group. Customers can also review activity associated with this Threat Assessment using AutoFocus with the following tags: [Hangover](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.Hangover)and [BackConfig](https://autofocus.paloaltonetworks.com/#/tag/Unit42.BackConfig). #### Impact Assessment Several adversarial techniques were observed in this activity and the following measures are suggested within Palo Alto Networks' products and services to ensure mitigation of threats related with the Hangover Group, as well as other groups using the same techniques: |---------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Tactic** | **Technique** **(Mitre ATT\&CK ID)** | **Product / Service** | **Course of Action** | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | NGFW | Ensure application security policies exist when allowing traffic from an untrusted zone to a more trusted zone | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | NGFW | Ensure 'Service setting of ANY' in a security policy allowing traffic does not exist | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | NGFW | Ensure 'Security Policy' denying any/all traffic to/from IP addresses on Trusted Threat Intelligence Sources Exists | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure that antivirus profiles are set to block on all decoders except 'imap' and 'pop3' | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure antivirus profile is applied to all relevant security policies | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure that User Credential Submission uses the action of 'block' or 'continue' on the URL categories | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | DNS Security | Enable DNS Security in Anti-Spyware profile | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | URL Filtering | Ensure that PAN-DB URL Filtering is used | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | URL Filtering | Ensure that URL Filtering uses the action of 'block' or 'override' on the \ URL categories | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | URL Filtering | Ensure that access to every URL is logged | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | URL Filtering | Ensure all HTTP Header Logging options are enabled | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | URL Filtering | Ensure secure URL filtering is enabled for all security policies allowing traffic to the Internet | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | WildFire | Ensure that WildFire file size upload limits are maximized | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | WildFire | Ensure forwarding of decrypted content to WildFire is enabled | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | WildFire | Ensure all WildFire session information settings are enabled | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | WildFire | Ensure alerts are enabled for malicious files detected by WildFire | | Initial Access | Spearphishing Link (T1192) | WildFire | Ensure 'WildFire Update Schedule' is set to download and install updates every minute | | Execution | Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a Vulnerability Protection Profile is set to block attacks against critical and high vulnerabilities, and set to default on medium, low, and informational vulnerabilities | | Execution | Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure Vulnerability Protection Profile is applied to all security rules allowing traffic | | Execution | Exploitation for Client Execution (T1203) | Cortex XDR | Enable Anti-Exploit and Anti-Malware Protection | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | NGFW | Ensure that User-ID is only enabled for internal trusted interfaces | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | NGFW | Ensure that 'Include/Exclude Networks' is used if User-ID is enabled | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | NGFW | Ensure that the User-ID Agent has minimal permissions if User-ID is enabled | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | NGFW | Ensure that the User-ID service account does not have interactive logon rights | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | NGFW | Ensure remote access capabilities for the User-ID service account are forbidden. | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | NGFW | Ensure that security policies restrict User-ID Agent traffic from crossing into untrusted zones | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure that antivirus profiles are set to block on all decoders except 'imap' and 'pop3' | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure antivirus profile is applied to all relevant security policies | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure an anti-spyware profile is configured to block on all spyware severity levels, categories, and threats | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure DNS sinkholing is configured on all anti-spyware profiles in use | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure passive DNS monitoring is set to enabled on all anti-spyware profiles in use | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure anti-spyware profile is applied to all security policies permitting traffic to the Internet | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | DNS Security | Enable DNS Security in Anti-Spyware profile | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | URL Filtering | Ensure that PAN-DB URL Filtering is used | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | URL Filtering | Ensure that URL Filtering uses the action of 'block' or 'override' on the \ URL categories | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | URL Filtering | Ensure that access to every URL is logged | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | URL Filtering | Ensure all HTTP Header Logging options are enabled | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | URL Filtering | Ensure secure URL filtering is enabled for all security policies allowing traffic to the Internet | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | WildFire | Ensure that WildFire file size upload limits are maximized | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | WildFire | Ensure forwarding of decrypted content to WildFire is enabled | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | WildFire | Ensure all WildFire session information settings are enabled | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | WildFire | Ensure alerts are enabled for malicious files detected by WildFire | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | WildFire | Ensure 'WildFire Update Schedule' is set to download and install updates every minute | | Execution | User Execution (T1204) | Cortex XDR | Enable Anti-Exploit and Anti-Malware Protection | | Execution | Scripting (T1064) | WildFire | Ensure that WildFire file size upload limits are maximized | | Execution | Scripting (T1064) | WildFire | Ensure forwarding of decrypted content to WildFire is enabled | | Execution | Scripting (T1064) | WildFire | Ensure all WildFire session information settings are enabled | | Execution | Scripting (T1064) | WildFire | Ensure alerts are enabled for malicious files detected by WildFire | | Execution | Scripting (T1064) | WildFire | Ensure 'WildFire Update Schedule' is set to download and install updates every minute | | Execution | Scripting (T1064) | Cortex XDR | Enable Anti-Exploit and Anti-Malware Protection | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure that User-ID is only enabled for internal trusted interfaces | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure that 'Include/Exclude Networks' is used if User-ID is enabled | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure that the User-ID Agent has minimal permissions if User-ID is enabled | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure that the User-ID service account does not have interactive logon rights | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure remote access capabilities for the User-ID service account are forbidden. | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure that security policies restrict User-ID Agent traffic from crossing into untrusted zones | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure application security policies exist when allowing traffic from an untrusted zone to a more trusted zone | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure 'Service setting of ANY' in a security policy allowing traffic does not exist | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | NGFW | Ensure 'Security Policy' denying any/all traffic to/from IP addresses on Trusted Threat Intelligence Sources Exists | | Defense Evasion | BITS Jobs (T1197) | Cortex XDR | Configure Host Firewall Profile | | Defense Evasion | Code Signing (T1116) | Cortex XDR | Enable Anti-Exploit and Anti-Malware Protection | | Defense Evasion | Hidden Files and Directories (T1158) | Cortex XDR | Configure Behavioral Threat Protection under the Malware Security Profile | | Defense Evasion | Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information (T1140) | WildFire | Ensure that WildFire file size upload limits are maximized | | Defense Evasion | Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information (T1140) | WildFire | Ensure forwarding of decrypted content to WildFire is enabled | | Defense Evasion | Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information (T1140) | WildFire | Ensure all WildFire session information settings are enabled | | Defense Evasion | Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information (T1140) | WildFire | Ensure alerts are enabled for malicious files detected by WildFire | | Defense Evasion | Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information (T1140) | WildFire | Ensure 'WildFire Update Schedule' is set to download and install updates every minute | | Defense Evasion | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) | WildFire | Ensure that WildFire file size upload limits are maximized | | Defense Evasion | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) | WildFire | Ensure forwarding of decrypted content to WildFire is enabled | | Defense Evasion | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) | WildFire | Ensure all WildFire session information settings are enabled | | Defense Evasion | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) | WildFire | Ensure alerts are enabled for malicious files detected by WildFire | | Defense Evasion | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) | WildFire | Ensure 'WildFire Update Schedule' is set to download and install updates every minute | | Defense Evasion | Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027) | Cortex XDR | Enable Anti-Exploit and Anti-Malware Protection | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | NGFW | Ensure application security policies exist when allowing traffic from an untrusted zone to a more trusted zone | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | NGFW | Ensure 'Service setting of ANY' in a security policy allowing traffic does not exist | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | NGFW | Ensure 'Security Policy' denying any/all traffic to/from IP addresses on Trusted Threat Intelligence Sources Exists | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | URL Filtering | Ensure that PAN-DB URL Filtering is used | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | URL Filtering | Ensure that URL Filtering uses the action of 'block' or 'override' on the \ URL categories | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | URL Filtering | Ensure that access to every URL is logged | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | URL Filtering | Ensure all HTTP Header Logging options are enabled | | Command and Control | Commonly Used Port (T1043) | URL Filtering | Ensure secure URL filtering is enabled for all security policies allowing traffic to the Internet | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | NGFW | Ensure 'SSL Forward Proxy Policy' for traffic destined to the Internet is configured | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | NGFW | Ensure 'SSL Inbound Inspection' is required for all untrusted traffic destined for servers using SSL or TLS | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | NGFW | Ensure that the Certificate used for Decryption is Trusted | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | NGFW | Ensure application security policies exist when allowing traffic from an untrusted zone to a more trusted zone | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | NGFW | Ensure 'Service setting of ANY' in a security policy allowing traffic does not exist | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | NGFW | Ensure 'Security Policy' denying any/all traffic to/from IP addresses on Trusted Threat Intelligence Sources Exists | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure that antivirus profiles are set to block on all decoders except 'imap' and 'pop3' | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure antivirus profile is applied to all relevant security policies | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure an anti-spyware profile is configured to block on all spyware severity levels, categories, and threats | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure DNS sinkholing is configured on all anti-spyware profiles in use | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure passive DNS monitoring is set to enabled on all anti-spyware profiles in use | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure anti-spyware profile is applied to all security policies permitting traffic to the Internet | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | DNS Security | Enable DNS Security in Anti-Spyware profile | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | URL Filtering | Ensure that PAN-DB URL Filtering is used | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | URL Filtering | Ensure that URL Filtering uses the action of 'block' or 'override' on the \ URL categories | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | URL Filtering | Ensure that access to every URL is logged | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | URL Filtering | Ensure all HTTP Header Logging options are enabled | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | URL Filtering | Ensure secure URL filtering is enabled for all security policies allowing traffic to the Internet | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | WildFire | Ensure that WildFire file size upload limits are maximized | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | WildFire | Ensure forwarding of decrypted content to WildFire is enabled | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | WildFire | Ensure all WildFire session information settings are enabled | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | WildFire | Ensure alerts are enabled for malicious files detected by WildFire | | Command and Control | Standard Cryptographic Protocol (T1032) | WildFire | Ensure 'WildFire Update Schedule' is set to download and install updates every minute | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | NGFW | Ensure application security policies exist when allowing traffic from an untrusted zone to a more trusted zone | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | NGFW | Ensure 'Service setting of ANY' in a security policy allowing traffic does not exist | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | NGFW | Ensure 'Security Policy' denying any/all traffic to/from IP addresses on Trusted Threat Intelligence Sources Exists | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | WildFire | Ensure that WildFire file size upload limits are maximized | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | WildFire | Ensure forwarding of decrypted content to WildFire is enabled | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | WildFire | Ensure all WildFire session information settings are enabled | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | WildFire | Ensure alerts are enabled for malicious files detected by WildFire | | Command and Control | Remote File Copy (T1105) | WildFire | Ensure 'WildFire Update Schedule' is set to download and install updates every minute | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | NGFW | Ensure application security policies exist when allowing traffic from an untrusted zone to a more trusted zone | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | NGFW | Ensure 'Service setting of ANY' in a security policy allowing traffic does not exist | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | NGFW | Ensure 'Security Policy' denying any/all traffic to/from IP addresses on Trusted Threat Intelligence Sources Exists | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure that antivirus profiles are set to block on all decoders except 'imap' and 'pop3' | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure antivirus profile is applied to all relevant security policies | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure an anti-spyware profile is configured to block on all spyware severity levels, categories, and threats | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure DNS sinkholing is configured on all anti-spyware profiles in use | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure passive DNS monitoring is set to enabled on all anti-spyware profiles in use | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | Threat Prevention† | Ensure a secure anti-spyware profile is applied to all security policies permitting traffic to the Internet | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | DNS Security | Enable DNS Security in Anti-Spyware profile | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | URL Filtering | Ensure that PAN-DB URL Filtering is used | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | URL Filtering | Ensure that URL Filtering uses the action of 'block' or 'override' on the \ URL categories | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | URL Filtering | Ensure that access to every URL is logged | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | URL Filtering | Ensure all HTTP Header Logging options are enabled | | Command and Control | Standard Application Layer Protocol (T1071) | URL Filtering | Ensure secure URL filtering is enabled for all security policies allowing traffic to the Internet | *Table 1. Courses of Action for Hangover Group*\*†These capabilities are part of the NGFW security subscriptions service\* ## Conclusion The Hangover Group is active and, according to Unit 42 visibility, is targeting government and military organizations in South Asia. The group continues to make use of compromised, third-party infrastructure to support the delivery of their weaponized documents, using spear-phishing emails containing links to said sites. The delivery documents continue to evolve and, over the years, have moved from plain text code and URLs to encoded. From storing encoded executables within the documents, to using ZIP files - including a package of files - to finally downloading executables from command and control servers. The installation of the BackConfig malware by the delivery documents is performed using multiple stages and components, most likely to evade sandboxes or other automated analysis and detection systems. This includes the use of Virtualization-based Security (VBS), batch codes, scheduled tasks, and conditional trigger files. Once fully installed, the BackConfig malware communicates with the threat actors using HTTPS making visibility and detection potentially more difficult, and blends in amongst other similar traffic. Once an infected system is under an actor's control, the objective varies on the plugins deployed and the type of system or organization compromised. #### Additional Resources * [Updated BackConfig Malware Targeting Government and Military Organizations in South Asia](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/updated-backconfig-malware-targeting-government-and-military-organizations/) * [Best Practices from Palo Alto Networks](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/best-practices) * [MITRE ATT\&CK Matrix for Enterprise](https://attack.mitre.org/matrices/enterprise/): Hangover Threat Group *The suggested courses of action in this report are based on the information currently available to Palo Alto Networks and the capabilities within Palo Alto Networks' products and services.* Back to top ### Tags * [BackConfig](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/backconfig/ "BackConfig") * [Hangover Group](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/hangover-group/ "Hangover Group") * [Targeted Attacks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/targeted-attacks/ "Targeted Attacks") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Goodbye Mworm, Hello Nworm: TrickBot Updates Propagation Module](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/goodbye-mworm-hello-nworm-trickbot-updates-propagation-module/ "Goodbye Mworm, Hello Nworm: TrickBot Updates Propagation Module") ### Table of Contents * ### Related Articles * [Updated BackConfig Malware Targeting Government and Military Organizations in South Asia](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/updated-backconfig-malware-targeting-government-and-military-organizations/ "article - table of contents") * [Cardinal RAT Sins Again, Targets Israeli Fin-Tech Firms](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cardinal-rat-sins-again-targets-israeli-fin-tech-firms/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Malware Resources ![Pictorial representation of post-exploitation identity misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE. Close-up of a person wearing glasses, with computer code reflected in the lenses.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/12_Security-Technology_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) September 10, 2026 [#### The Machine With Many Faces: Post-Exploitation Identity Misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kubernetes-spiffe-spire-identity-spoofing/) * [API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api/ "API") * [Cryptographic](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptographic/ "cryptographic") * [JSON](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/json/ "JSON") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kubernetes-spiffe-spire-identity-spoofing/ "The Machine With Many Faces: Post-Exploitation Identity Misuse in SPIFFE/SPIRE") ![Pictorial representation of a pay-per-install threat group campaign prodiving infection service for spreading malware. A close-up of a computer circuit board with a central microchip is depicted. Red digital data streams in the form of glowing binary numbers and arrows appear to flow in and out of the chip, symbolizing data processing and transfer. The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-6-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) September 9, 2026 [#### Untracked Nightmares: The Threats Hiding Behind Commodity Infrastructure](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ppi-network-malware-campaign-analysis/) * [ARKTunnel](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/arktunnel/ "ARKTunnel") * [C2](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/c2/ "C2") * [CL-CRI-1171](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-1171/ "CL-CRI-1171") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ppi-network-malware-campaign-analysis/ "Untracked Nightmares: The Threats Hiding Behind Commodity Infrastructure") ![Pictorial representation of attackers using AI tools to target Latin American organizations. A vibrant cityscape with silhouettes of numerous people walking along a bustling street. The scene is illuminated by bright urban lights and digital-like particles, creating a dynamic and futuristic atmosphere.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AdobeStock_768915868-2-1-786x373.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) September 3, 2026 [#### Attackers Expose Ongoing AI Tool Use Targeting Organizations in Latin America](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-tool-use-targeting-latam-orgs/) * [Agentic AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/agentic-ai/ "Agentic AI") * [ChatGPT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chatgpt/ "ChatGPT") * [CL-CRI-1131](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-1131/ "CL-CRI-1131") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-tool-use-targeting-latam-orgs/ "Attackers Expose Ongoing AI Tool Use Targeting Organizations in Latin America") ![Pictorial representation of vishing campaigns in Microsoft Teams. A digital image of a skull formed by blue binary code on a black background, with scattered ones and zeros and digital noise, symbolizes how stealthy prompt injection attacks can exploit AI logic to bypass security controls.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/01_Malware_Category_1920x900-5-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 31, 2026 [#### Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/) * [Cloaked Ursa](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cloaked-ursa/ "Cloaked Ursa") * [Entra ID](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/entra-id/ "Entra ID") * [Microsoft Teams](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/microsoft-teams/ "Microsoft Teams") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/spring-ring-voice-phishing-campaigns/ "Spring Ring: An Inside Look at Voice Phishing Campaigns in Microsoft Teams") ![Pictorial representation of AI-enabled malware. A vibrant digital interface displaying various icons and graphs, resembling a futuristic network or data analysis dashboard. The scene is illuminated with glowing lights and patterns.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1270203474-2-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 25, 2026 [#### The State of AI-Enabled Malware August 2026: From Brand Abuse to Agentic Execution](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-enabled-malware-analysis/) * [Backdoor](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/backdoor/ "backdoor") * [Bitcoin](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bitcoin/ "Bitcoin") * [DLL hijacking](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/dll-hijacking/ "DLL hijacking") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-enabled-malware-analysis/ "The State of AI-Enabled Malware August 2026: From Brand Abuse to Agentic Execution") ![Pictorial representation of identity abuse through trusted communication channels. Close-up view of a digital screen displaying a glitched and pixelated image of a skull-like shape.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/02_Malware_Category_1920x900-2-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 20, 2026 [#### Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/) * [Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/authentication/ "authentication") * [Identity theft](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/identity-theft/ "identity theft") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/malware/ "malware") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/ "Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels") ![Pictorial representation of Kimwolf botnet malware family. Digital screen with a warning sign reading "Malware." The background features lines of computer code and graphics, creating a sense of cybersecurity threat.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_Malware_Category_1920x900-3-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 11, 2026 [#### Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/) * [Android APK](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/android-apk/ "Android APK") * [Ethereum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ethereum/ "Ethereum") * [HTTP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/http/ "HTTP") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/kimwolf-v7-botnet-malware/ "Kimwolf v7: An Evolution of the Kimwolf Botnet") ![Pictorial representatiom pf Aeternum's blockchain C2. A close-up of a computer circuit board with a central microchip is depicted. Red digital data streams in the form of glowing binary numbers and arrows appear to flow in and out of the chip. The scene is illuminated with a futuristic blue and red glow.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/04_Malware_Category_1920x900-4-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 10, 2026 [#### The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum's Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/) * [Aeternum](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/aeternum/ "Aeternum") * [Infection chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/infection-chain/ "infection chain") * [JSON](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/json/ "JSON") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/ "The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications") ![Pictorial representation of ChainDrop, a self-propagating npm worm. An artistic depiction of a digital workspace featuring an open laptop with a red virus on the screen.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03_Malware_Category_1920x900-7-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/top-threats.svg)High Profile Threats](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/top-cyberthreats/) August 6, 2026 [#### ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/) * [Blockchain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/blockchain/ "blockchain") * [ChainDrop](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/chaindrop/ "ChainDrop") * [Claude code](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/claude-code/ "Claude code") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/chaindrop-npm-worm-analysis/ "ChainDrop: Inside a Self-Propagating npm Worm") ![Pictorial representation of Token-jacking. A person types on a laptop with multiple digital interface elements projected, including an "AI" icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1246251272-2-786x369.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 6, 2026 [#### Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/) * [AI API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-api/ "AI API") * [AI gateway](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-gateway/ "AI gateway") * [API keys](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api-keys/ "API keys") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/ "Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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