Venom Spider, a notorious threat actor also known as GOLDEN CHICKENS, has expanded its malicious toolkit with the introduction of two new malware families—RevC2 and Venom Loader. These new strains were uncovered by Zscaler ThreatLabz during an investigation into campaigns that took place between August and October 2024. Venom Spider has been known for offering Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) tools like VenomLNK, TerraLoader, and TerraCryptor, which have been leveraged by other cybercriminal groups such as FIN6 and Cobalt. The discovery of these new malware families further emphasizes the growing threat posed by MaaS platforms in the cybercriminal ecosystem.
RevC2 is a backdoor malware that utilizes WebSockets for communication with its command-and-control (C2) server. This allows attackers to remotely execute commands, steal sensitive information, and even proxy network traffic. RevC2 is capable of evading analysis environments, ensuring that it only activates when certain conditions are met, such as matching specific file names. Upon execution, it logs internal messages and stores them in log files, while also performing actions like stealing passwords and capturing screenshots, making it a formidable tool for cybercriminals.
Venom Loader, the second malware family uncovered, is a customizable loader that encodes the payload using the victim’s computer name. This tailored approach makes it harder to detect, as each victim receives a unique payload. Venom Loader’s purpose is to facilitate the delivery and execution of malicious payloads, adding another layer of sophistication to Venom Spider’s attack strategy. By leveraging customized payloads for each victim, Venom Spider can bypass certain security defenses, increasing the effectiveness of its attacks.
The campaigns leveraging RevC2 and Venom Loader mark a new phase in the tactics employed by Venom Spider, underscoring the threat posed by MaaS platforms. The flexibility and customization of these malware families enable attackers to target a wide range of victims while evading detection. As cybercriminals continue to refine their techniques, organizations must remain vigilant and enhance their cybersecurity defenses to protect against these increasingly sophisticated threats.
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