As introduced by the US Division of Justice – the FBI and US DoD’s Protection Felony Investigative Service (DCIS) have managed to disrupt the infrastructure of the infamous infostealer, Danabot. ESET is among the many cybersecurity firms to take part on this long-term endeavor, turning into concerned again in 2018. Our contribution included offering technical analyses of the malware and its backend infrastructure, in addition to figuring out Danabot’s C&C servers. The joint takedown effort additionally led to the identification of people liable for Danabot growth, gross sales, administration, and extra. ESET took half within the effort alongside with Amazon, CrowdStrike, Flashpoint, Google, Intel471, PayPal, Proofpoint, Workforce Cymru, Zscaler, Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, the Netherlands’ Nationwide Police, and the Australian Federal Police.
These regulation enforcement operations have been performed beneath Operation Endgame – an ongoing international initiative geared toward figuring out, dismantling, and prosecuting cybercriminal networks. Coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, the operation efficiently took down vital infrastructure used to deploy ransomware via malicious software program.
Since Danabot has largely been disrupted, we’ll use this chance to share our insights into the workings of this malware-as-a-service (MaaS) operation, overlaying the options used within the newest variations of the malware, the authors’ enterprise mannequin, and an summary of the toolset provided to associates. Other than exfiltrating delicate information, we now have noticed that Danabot can also be used to ship additional malware – together with ransomware – to an already compromised system.
Key factors of the blogpost:
- ESET Analysis has been monitoring Danabot’s exercise since 2018 as a part of a worldwide effort that resulted in a significant disruption of the malware’s infrastructure.
- Whereas primarily developed as an infostealer and banking trojan, Danabot additionally has been used to distribute further malware, together with ransomware.
- Danabot’s authors promote their toolset via underground boards and supply varied rental choices to potential associates.
- The standard toolset supplied by Danabot’s authors to their associates consists of an administration panel utility, a backconnect device for real-time management of bots, and a proxy server utility that relays the communication between the bots and the precise C&C server.
- Associates can select from varied choices to generate new Danabot builds, and it’s their accountability to distribute these builds via their very own campaigns.
Background
Danabot, which belongs to a bunch of infostealer and/or banking malware households coded within the Delphi programming language, gained prominence in 2018 by being utilized in a spam marketing campaign concentrating on Australian customers. Since then, Danabot has expanded to different markets via varied campaigns, undergone a number of main updates of its internals and backend infrastructure, and skilled each peaks and downturns in reputation amongst cybercriminals.
All through our monitoring since 2018, ESET has tracked and analyzed a considerable variety of distinct samples and recognized greater than 1,000 distinctive C&C servers. Throughout that interval, ESET analyzed varied Danabot campaigns all around the world, with Poland traditionally being some of the focused nations, as seen in Determine 1.
Along with typical cybercrime, Danabot has additionally been utilized in much less standard actions equivalent to using compromised machines for launching DDoS assaults. For instance, a DDoS assault towards Ukraine’s Ministry of Protection was noticed by Zscaler quickly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A really related DDoS module to the one utilized in that assault was additionally utilized by a Danabot operator to focus on a Russian web site devoted to Arduino growth. These actions have been most likely motivated by the affiliate’s personal ambitions and political motivations.
Danabot group introduction
The authors of Danabot function as a single group, providing their device for hire to potential associates, who subsequently make use of it for their very own malicious functions by establishing and managing their very own botnets. The authors have even arrange a assist web page on the Tor community with detailed details about the capabilities of their device, as depicted in Determine 2.
To accumulate new prospects, Danabot is steadily promoted in underground boards by the person JimmBee, who acts as one of many fundamental builders and directors of the Danabot malware and its toolset. One other noteworthy particular person from the Danabot group is a person recognized in underground boards as Onix, who coadministers the Danabot infrastructure and can also be liable for gross sales operations.
Characteristic overview
Danabot’s authors have developed an enormous number of options to help prospects with their malevolent targets. Probably the most distinguished options provided by Danabot embody:
- the flexibility to steal varied information from browsers, mail purchasers, FTP purchasers, and different well-liked software program,
- keylogging and display screen recording,
- real-time distant management of the victims’ techniques,
- a FileGrabber command, generally used for stealing cryptocurrency wallets,
- assist for Zeus-like webinjects and kind grabbing, and
- arbitrary payload add and execution.
Apart from using its stealing capabilities, we now have noticed a wide range of payloads being distributed via Danabot through the years, equivalent to:
- SystemBC,
- Rescoms,
- Ursnif,
- Smokeloader,
- Zloader,
- Lumma Stealer,
- RecordBreaker,
- Latrodectus, and
- NetSupportManager distant administration device.
Moreover, we now have encountered cases of Danabot getting used to obtain ransomware onto already compromised techniques. We are able to identify LockBit, Buran, Disaster, and a NonRansomware variant being pushed on a number of events.
Danabot’s capability to obtain and execute arbitrary payloads just isn’t the one characteristic used to distribute further malware. Danabot was additionally noticed getting used as a device handy off management of the botnet to a ransomware operator, as reported by Microsoft Menace Intelligence in late 2023.
Distribution strategies
All through its existence, in response to our monitoring, Danabot has been a device of selection for a lot of cybercriminals and every of them has used completely different technique of distribution. Danabot’s builders even partnered with the authors of a number of malware cryptors and loaders, and provided particular pricing for a distribution bundle to their prospects, serving to them with the method. Matanbuchus is an instance of such a promoted loader.
Through the years, we now have seen all kinds of distribution strategies being utilized by Danabot associates, together with:
- quite a few variants of e mail spam campaigns,
- different malware equivalent to Smokeloader, DarkGate, and Matanbuchus, and
- misuse of Google Adverts.
Lately, out of all distribution mechanisms we noticed, the misuse of Google Adverts to show seemingly related, however really malicious, web sites among the many sponsored hyperlinks in Google search outcomes stands out as some of the distinguished strategies to lure victims into downloading Danabot. The preferred ploy is packing the malware with authentic software program and providing such a package deal via bogus software program websites (Determine 3) or web sites falsely promising customers to assist them discover unclaimed funds (Determine 4).
The newest addition to those social engineering methods: misleading web sites providing options for fabricated pc points, whose solely function is to lure the sufferer into execution of a malicious command secretly inserted into the person’s clipboard. An instance of such an internet site resulting in downloading of Danabot in Determine 5.
Infrastructure
Overview
Initially, Danabot’s authors relied on a single centralized server to handle all bots’ connections and all associates’ information, equivalent to command configurations and information collected from their victims. This centralized method actually had a damaging impression on that server’s efficiency and was extra vulnerable to attainable disruptions. That is most likely one of many the reason why we noticed a shift within the enterprise and infrastructure fashions in newer variations. Along with renting locations on their very own infrastructure, Danabot’s authors now supply set up of a non-public server, as marketed on their assist web site, to be operated by the affiliate (Determine 6).
The rental choices, as provided via an underground discussion board in July 2023, are illustrated in Determine 7.
It’s value mentioning that, primarily based on our monitoring, the rental of an account on the shared infrastructure managed by Danabot’s authors appears to be the preferred selection for risk actors.
When associates buy a rental of one of many choices, they’re given instruments and credentials to hook up with the C&C server and handle their very own botnet via an administration panel. Within the following sections, we cowl the completely different elements of the standard toolset.
C&C server utility
The standalone server utility comes within the type of a DLL file and acts because the mind of the botnet. It’s put in on a Home windows server and makes use of a MySQL database for information administration. Bots connect with this server to transmit stolen information and obtain instructions issued by associates. Associates connect with this server through the administration panel utility to handle their botnet. This C&C server utility is accessible for native set up just for associates paying for the upper tier private server possibility. Associates who select to function their botnets on Danabot’s infrastructure as an alternative are given connection particulars to the C&C server already arrange there, and don’t have to host their very own C&C server.
Administration panel
The administration panel, displayed in Determine 8, is within the type of a GUI utility, and represents an important device from the botnet operator’s perspective. It permits the affiliate to hook up with the C&C server and carry out duties equivalent to:
- handle bots and retrieve statistics of the botnet,
- concern varied instructions and superior configuration for bots,
- conveniently view and export information gathered from victims,
- handle the notification system and arrange alerts on occasions triggered by bots,
- generate new Danabot builds, and
- arrange a series of proxy servers for communication between the bots and the C&C server.
We offer extra particulars and examples of probably the most fascinating capabilities of the administration panel within the upcoming sections.
Backconnect device
One other essential device for administration is the standalone utility that allows botnet operators to remotely connect with and management their on-line bots. Obtainable actions for distant management, as seen within the device, are illustrated in Determine 9. In all probability probably the most fascinating options for cybercriminals are the flexibility to see and management the sufferer’s pc through a distant desktop connection and to carry out reconnaissance of the file system utilizing the built-in file supervisor.
Proxy server utility
Bots usually don’t connect with the principle C&C server immediately, however somewhat use a series of proxies to relay the site visitors and conceal the placement of the actual backend C&C. To facilitate this technique, Danabot’s authors present a proxy server utility, accessible for each Home windows and Linux techniques. Determine 10 exhibits the utilization message from the Linux model of this easy proxy server utility. Apart from utilizing proxies, bots may be configured to speak with the server via the Tor community in case all proxy chains change into unavailable. An non-compulsory downloadable Tor module is then used for such communication.
Associates additionally steadily make the most of this proxy server utility as an middleman between their administration panel and the C&C server to additional improve their anonymity. When every thing is put collectively, the standard infrastructure might look as proven in Determine 11.
Internals
Communication
Danabot employs its personal proprietary C&C communication protocol with its information encrypted utilizing AES-256. Generated AES session keys, distinctive for each message, are then additional encrypted utilizing RSA key pairs, securing the entire communication. It’s value mentioning that there have been a number of updates to the communication protocol and the packet construction over time.
The present packet information construction of the standard command, earlier than it’s encrypted, appears to be like as proven in Desk 1 . We wish to level out that a lot of the fields are solely used through the first request within the communication loop to authenticate the bot, and are left unset within the subsequent instructions.
Desk 1. Packet construction utilized in Danabot communication
| Offset | Measurement (bytes) | Description |
| 0x00 | 0x04 | Measurement of the packet. |
| 0x04 | 0x08 | Random worth. |
| 0x0C | 0x08 | Sum of the 2 values above. |
| 0x14 | 0x04 | Account ID used to distinguish associates within the earlier variations. This area comprises a random worth in newer variations. |
| 0x18 | 0x04 | Command. |
| 0x1C | 0x04 | Subcommand. |
| 0x20 | 0x04 | Danabot model. |
| 0x24 | 0x04 | IsUserAdmin flag. |
| 0x28 | 0x04 | Course of integrity degree. |
| 0x2C | 0x04 | OS structure x86/x64. |
| 0x30 | 0x04 | Encoded Home windows model. |
| 0x34 | 0x04 | Time zone bias as a DWORD worth. |
| 0x38 | 0x04 | Unknown bytes; set to 0 within the present variations. |
| 0x3C | 0x04 | Tor lively flag. |
| 0x40 | 0x04 | Unknown bytes; set to 0 within the present variations. |
| 0x44 | 0x18 | Padding null bytes. |
| 0x5C | 0x21 | Bot ID Delphi string (a string preceded by a size byte). |
| 0x7D | 0x21 | Construct ID hardcoded Delphi string. |
| 0x9E | 0x21 | MD5 checksum of concatenated Account ID, Bot ID, and Construct ID strings. |
| 0xBF | 0x29 | Command dependent string utilized in some instructions complemented by its CRC-32 and a string dimension. |
| 0xE8 | 0xDF | Padding null bytes. |
The most recent variations of Danabot additionally add, to additional disguise its communication, a random quantity of seemingly junk bytes to the top of the packet construction earlier than it’s encrypted. It’s value mentioning that Danabot authors don’t all the time comply with the most effective coding practices and the addition of this random variety of bytes was finished by resizing of the unique reminiscence buffer allotted to carry the packet construction as an alternative of clearing or initializing this newly acquired area. This led to unintentionally together with surrounding reminiscence areas of the method into the info packet being despatched from the bot to the server and, extra importantly, vice versa. These appended reminiscence areas captured and decrypted from the server-to-bot communication generally contained fascinating info from the server’s course of reminiscence and gave researchers precious perception into Danabot’s infrastructure and its customers. This bug was launched in 2022 and was mounted within the newest variations of Danabot in February 2025.
Additional particulars concerning the communication and its encryption have been already coated by varied researchers, and we gained’t dive into it extra on this blogpost.
Builds
Botnet operators have a number of choices for producing new Danabot builds to distribute to their victims. To the most effective of our information, whereas the operator might configure the construct course of and desired output via the administration panel utility, the construct course of itself is carried out on the Danabot authors’ servers. After producing the chosen construct, the operator receives obtain hyperlinks for the builds and turns into liable for their distribution in a marketing campaign.
Determine 12 exhibits an instance of a construct configuration window and accessible choices, such because the C&C server checklist to be configured within the ultimate binary file, varied obfuscation strategies, construct bitness, and so on.
Danabot presently gives 4 primary payload varieties, described in Desk 2.
Desk 2. Variants of accessible builds
Payload kind Description Major.dll Generates a sole fundamental part within the type of a DLL to be distributed and loaded through rundll32.exe or regsvr32.exe. Major.exe Generates a loader within the type of an EXE which will include the abovementioned fundamental part DLL or obtain it from one of many configured C&C servers. Drop.exe Generates a dropper with an embedded fundamental part DLL to be dropped to disk. Drop.msi Generates an MSI package deal with an embedded fundamental part DLL to be loaded.
Instructions configuration
A botnet operator can concern a complicated configuration to the bots via the administration panel. Bots are then ordered to carry out varied instructions in response to the directions obtained. Determine 13 exhibits an instance of such a command configuration.
Desk 3 lists the accessible instructions that may be issued. Every job has its personal particular choices to additional accommodate the operator’s wants.
Desk 3. Obtainable instructions
Command Description Video File a video of the chosen utility or web site. KeyLogger Seize keystrokes from the chosen utility. PostFilter Seize info from sure web sites’ varieties. WebInject Permit Zeus-like webinjects on sure loaded web sites to change their operate. Redirect Permit redirection of sure URLs. Block Block entry to configured URLs. Screens Take screenshots of a specific utility or web site at sure intervals. Alerts Permit notifications to be despatched to a specific Jabber account on a configurable occasion. Uninstall Uninstall the bot from the system. UAC Present assist for privilege escalation. FileGrabber Permit sure information to be uploaded to the C&C if discovered on the sufferer’s laborious disk. TorActive Allow loading of a Tor module and permit connection through the Tor community if all C&C servers are inaccessible. Stealer Allow/disable the stealer performance and set its replace interval. TimeOut Set interval for the bot to contact its C&C server. Set up Configure the bot’s set up on the system and its persistence. Exclusion Set exclusions in Home windows Defender or Home windows Firewall for a specific course of. ConfigSave Save the bot’s configuration earlier than its termination. HideProcess Cover the bot’s course of. CoreProtect Permit the principle part to be injected into a further course of.
Further payloads
Danabot additionally supplies the aptitude to obtain and execute additional executable information. This characteristic permits the botnet operator to configure the set up of further malware to the compromised system, as talked about earlier. Determine 14 exhibits accessible choices for this characteristic within the administration panel utility.
Conclusion
Danabot is a large-scale MaaS operation distributing a big selection of instruments for the malware associates’ disposal. Our investigation of this infostealer, which began in 2018, resulted within the evaluation of Danabot’s toolset supplied on this blogpost. The efforts of the authorities and a number of other cybersecurity firms, ESET included, led to the disruption of the malware’s infrastructure. It stays to be seen whether or not Danabot can get better from the takedown. The blow will, nonetheless, absolutely be felt, since regulation enforcement managed to unmask a number of people concerned within the malware’s operations.
For any inquiries about our analysis revealed on WeLiveSecurity, please contact us at threatintel@eset.com.ESET Analysis gives non-public APT intelligence reviews and information feeds. For any inquiries about this service, go to the ESET Menace Intelligence web page.
IoCs
Recordsdata
| SHA-1 | Filename | Detection | Description |
| 6D361CD9ADBF1630AF7B | N/A | Win32/Spy.Danabot.X | Loader of the principle part (model 4006). |
| A7475753CB865AEC8DC4 | N/A | Win32/Spy.Danabot.O | Major part (model 4006). |
| 787EAB54714F76099EC3 | N/A | Win32/Spy.Danabot.AC | Dropper part (model 3272). |
| 17B78AD12B1AE1C037C5 | 1c0e7316. | MSIL/Kryptik.AMBV | Lockbit payload (variant Black) distributed by Danabot. |
Community
| IP | Area | Internet hosting supplier | First seen | Particulars |
| 212.18.104[.]245 | N/A | GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS LLP | 2025‑03‑25 | Danabot proxy C&C server |
| 212.18.104[.]246 | N/A | GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS LLP | 2025‑03‑25 | Danabot proxy C&C server |
| 34.16.215[.]110 | N/A | Google LLC | 2024‑10‑10 | Danabot proxy C&C server |
| 34.65.116[.]208 | N/A | Google LLC | 2024‑10‑10 | Danabot proxy C&C server |
| 34.168.100[.]35 | N/A | Google LLC | 2024‑11‑27 | Danabot proxy C&C server |
| N/A | advanced-ip-scanned.com | N/A | 2023‑08‑21 | Misleading web site utilized in Danabot distribution |
| N/A | gfind.org | N/A | 2022‑06‑15 | Misleading web site utilized in Danabot distribution |
| N/A | mic-tests.com | N/A | 2024‑12‑07 | Misleading web site utilized in Danabot distribution |
MITRE ATT&CK methods
This desk was constructed utilizing model 17 of the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
| Tactic | ID | Title | Description |
| Useful resource Improvement | T1583.003 | Purchase Infrastructure: Digital Non-public Server | Danabot operators use VPS of their infrastructure. |
| T1583.004 | Purchase Infrastructure: Server | Danabot operators purchase a number of servers for C&C communication. | |
| T1587.001 | Develop Capabilities: Malware | Danabot authors have developed customized malware instruments. | |
| T1608.001 | Stage Capabilities: Add Malware | Danabot operators add different malware to their infrastructure for additional spreading. | |
| T1583.008 | Purchase Infrastructure: Malvertising | Malvertising is a well-liked technique of Danabot distribution. | |
| Preliminary Entry | T1566.001 | Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment | Phishing is a standard technique used for distribution. |
| Execution | T1106 | Native API | Dynamic Home windows API decision is utilized by Danabot. |
| T1204.001 | Person Execution: Malicious Hyperlink | Luring customers into downloading Danabot through a malicious hyperlink is a well-liked distribution selection. | |
| T1204.002 | Person Execution: Malicious File | Danabot is usually distributed as a file to be opened by the person. | |
| Privilege Escalation | T1548.002 | Abuse Elevation Management Mechanism: Bypass Person Account Management | A number of strategies are utilized by Danabot to bypass Person Account Management. |
| Protection Evasion | T1027.007 | Obfuscated Recordsdata or Info: Dynamic API Decision | Danabot makes use of hashing for dynamic API decision. |
| T1055.001 | Course of Injection: Dynamic-link Library Injection | Danabot has the flexibility to inject itself into different processes. | |
| T1218.007 | System Binary Proxy Execution: Msiexec | An MSI package deal is among the attainable distribution strategies. | |
| T1218.010 | System Binary Proxy Execution: Regsvr32 | regsvr32.exe can be utilized to execute the principle Danabot module. | |
| T1218.011 | System Binary Proxy Execution: Rundll32 | rundll32.exe can be utilized to execute the principle Danabot module. | |
| T1656 | Impersonation | Danabot makes use of impersonation in its phishing campaigns. | |
| Credential Entry | T1555.003 | Credentials from Password Shops: Credentials from Net Browsers | Danabot has the flexibility to steal varied information from browsers. |
| T1539 | Steal Net Session Cookie | Danabot can steal cookies. | |
| Discovery | T1010 | Software Window Discovery | Danabot may be configured to steal information primarily based on the lively window. |
| T1217 | Browser Info Discovery | Information, equivalent to searching historical past, may be gathered by Danabot. | |
| T1083 | File and Listing Discovery | Danabot may be configured to collect sure information from the compromised file system. | |
| T1057 | Course of Discovery | Danabot can enumerate operating processes on a compromised system. | |
| Lateral Motion | T1021.001 | Distant Providers: Distant Desktop Protocol | Danabot operators can use the distant desktop module to entry compromised techniques. |
| T1021.005 | Distant Providers: VNC | VNC is among the supported options for controlling a compromised system. | |
| Assortment | T1056.001 | Enter Seize: Keylogging | Keylogging is certainly one of Danabot’s options. |
| T1560.002 | Archive Collected Information: Archive through Library | Danabot can use zlib and ZIP to compress collected information. | |
| T1560.003 | Archive Collected Information: Archive through Customized Methodology | Collected information is additional encrypted utilizing AES and RSA cyphers. | |
| T1119 | Automated Assortment | Danabot may be configured to gather varied information mechanically. | |
| T1185 | Browser Session Hijacking | Danabot can carry out AitB assaults through webinjects. | |
| T1115 | Clipboard Information | Danabot can accumulate info saved within the clipboard. | |
| T1005 | Information from Native System | Danabot may be configured to seek for delicate information on a neighborhood file system. | |
| T1113 | Display Seize | Danabot may be configured to seize screenshots of functions and internet pages. | |
| T1125 | Video Seize | Danabot can seize video from the compromised system. | |
| Command and Management | T1132.001 | Information Encoding: Customary Encoding | Visitors between bot and C&C server is compressed utilizing ZIP and zlib. |
| T1001.001 | Information Obfuscation: Junk Information | Junk bytes are added to information to be despatched between bot and C&C server. | |
| T1573.001 | Encrypted Channel: Symmetric Cryptography | AES-256 is used as one of many encryption strategies of C&C communication. | |
| T1573.002 | Encrypted Channel: Uneven Cryptography | RSA is used as one of many encryption strategies of C&C communication. | |
| T1008 | Fallback Channels | The Tor module can be utilized as a fallback channel in case all common C&C servers usually are not responding. | |
| T1095 | Non-Software Layer Protocol | Danabot makes use of its personal customized TCP protocol for communication. | |
| T1571 | Non-Customary Port | Danabot can talk on any port. | |
| T1090.003 | Proxy: Multi-hop Proxy | A sequence of proxy servers is used to cover the placement of the actual C&C server. | |
| T1219 | Distant Entry Software program | Danabot has assist for distant entry. | |
| Exfiltration | T1020 | Automated Exfiltration | Danabot may be configured to collect varied information from a compromised system. |
| T1030 | Information Switch Measurement Limits | Danabot may be configured to keep away from sending massive information from a compromised system. | |
| T1041 | Exfiltration Over C2 Channel | Gathered information is exfiltrated via customary C&C communication. | |
| Affect | T1498 | Community Denial of Service | Danabot employed a module to carry out varied DDoS assaults. |
