Satanstealer (Infostealer) – Malware

Overview

Satanstealer is a newly emerged infostealer malware that has recently garnered attention for its extensive capabilities and sophisticated design. As an open-source threat, it has been disseminated via GitHub, reflecting a growing trend where malicious actors leverage publicly available platforms to distribute advanced malware. This malware is engineered to infiltrate systems and extract a wide array of sensitive information, including browser cookies, passwords, and registered phone numbers. Its reach extends to more specific data types such as cryptocurrency wallet credentials, Discord tokens, and details from popular gaming platforms like Steam and Riot Games.

The sophistication of Satanstealer is evident in its operational features, which include robust AntiDebug and AntiVM mechanisms. These features enable the malware to detect when it is being analyzed in a controlled or virtual environment, thus evading detection and analysis efforts. By circumventing sandbox environments, Satanstealer maximizes its operational effectiveness and increases the difficulty for cybersecurity professionals to study and neutralize it.

The malware’s impact is compounded by its ability to exfiltrate critical information from various applications and services, making it a significant threat to both individuals and organizations. As a result, comprehensive security solutions are crucial in defending against this threat. Leading cybersecurity firms like Symantec and VMware Carbon Black have identified Satanstealer under multiple aliases and have implemented protective measures to block its execution. For effective defense, it is recommended to employ stringent security policies and delay execution for thorough analysis by cloud-based reputation services.

Targets

Individuals.

How they operate

Upon execution, Satanstealer initiates its infostealing operations by first establishing a foothold on the victim’s machine. It employs credential dumping techniques to harvest passwords and other authentication details from browsers and applications. This is achieved through methods that extract stored credentials from memory and configuration files, making it a potent tool for acquiring sensitive user information.

One of the key features of Satanstealer is its capability to exfiltrate data over command and control (C2) channels. After collecting the desired information, the malware sends it back to the attacker via encrypted C2 communications. This exfiltration process is facilitated by staging the collected data and then transmitting it through the established C2 channel, often utilizing encrypted payloads to obfuscate the data and evade detection by security systems.

In addition to its data theft capabilities, Satanstealer incorporates advanced evasion techniques to avoid detection by security researchers and automated analysis tools. The malware includes anti-debugging mechanisms to obstruct reverse engineering efforts and anti-virtualization techniques to recognize and evade virtualized environments used for malware analysis. These features are designed to prolong the malware’s presence on infected systems and minimize the risk of detection and removal.

Satanstealer also demonstrates its ability to adapt to various environments by using command-line interfaces for executing its payloads and managing its operations. This flexibility allows it to execute commands and maintain persistence on the infected system, further complicating efforts to track and mitigate its impact.

Overall, Satanstealer exemplifies a new generation of infostealer malware, combining aggressive data theft capabilities with sophisticated evasion techniques. Its ability to operate stealthily while extracting and exfiltrating valuable information underscores the need for advanced security measures and continuous vigilance to protect against such evolving threats.

MITRE Tactics and Techniques

Credential Dumping (T1003)

Technique ID: T1003
Description: Satanstealer collects sensitive information such as passwords and credentials from various applications and services, including web browsers and gaming platforms.

Data Staged (T1074)

Technique ID: T1074
Description: The malware collects and stages various types of sensitive information, including browser cookies and cryptocurrency wallet details, for exfiltration.

Exfiltration Over Command and Control Channel (T1041)

Technique ID: T1041
Description: Satanstealer exfiltrates stolen data over its command and control (C2) channel, leveraging its communication infrastructure to send collected information back to the attacker.

Anti-Debugging (T1606)

Technique ID: T1606
Description: To avoid detection and analysis, Satanstealer incorporates anti-debugging techniques to obstruct reverse engineering and debugging efforts.

Anti-Virtualization (T1497.003)

Technique ID: T1497.003
Description: The malware uses anti-VM techniques to detect and evade virtualized environments where it might be analyzed by security researchers.

Data Encrypted (T1022)

Technique ID: T1022
Description: To further conceal its activities, Satanstealer may encrypt the data it exfiltrates to prevent easy detection and analysis.

Command-Line Interface (T1059)

Technique ID: T1059
Description: The malware may use command-line interfaces to execute its payloads and manage its operations on the infected system.

References:

• Satanstealer Infostealer