SSLoad is a complex malware loader identified in early 2024, primarily delivered through phishing emails. It uses various methods to infect systems, including malicious attachments, decoy documents, DLL side-loading, and MSI installers. Once inside, SSLoad performs system reconnaissance, collects sensitive information, and transmits it to command-and-control (C2) servers via encrypted protocols. This malware is highly evasive, using encryption techniques to avoid detection and successfully delivering additional malicious payloads, such as Cobalt Strike.
Cybersecurity researchers find SSLoad challenging to detect due to its sophisticated methods of evasion and persistence. The malware uses advanced techniques like checking for debugging flags and employing the Task Scheduler for delayed execution. Its capability to map systems, prevent data loss, and maintain long-term access makes it a significant threat. SSLoad can load directly into the system memory, a characteristic that evolved from earlier versions, which relied on Telegram channels for control.
Researchers from ANY.RUN have noted that SSLoad operates within the broader landscape of Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS). It serves various cybercriminal groups by offering a flexible framework for delivering malware to victims. The malware’s flexibility and the variety of tactics it uses to evade detection allow it to present ongoing and persistent cybersecurity risks. SSLoad’s ability to install multiple forms of harmful code makes it a versatile tool for threat actors.
As a result, SSLoad poses a considerable risk to organizations and individuals alike. Its distribution mechanisms include phishing emails, infected websites, and seemingly harmless applications that hide malicious code. Detecting SSLoad’s multi-stage attack chain requires advanced cybersecurity measures, as it combines multiple layers of evasion and malicious behavior. The malware’s continued development highlights its ongoing danger to modern network security.
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