Danabot: Analyzing a fallen empire

As introduced by the US Division of Justice – the FBI and US DoD’s Protection Prison 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 accountable for Danabot growth, gross sales, administration, and extra. ESET took half within the effort alongside with Amazon, CrowdStrike, Flashpoint, Google, Intel471, PayPal, Proofpoint, Staff Cymru, Zscaler, Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, the Netherlands’ Nationwide Police, and the Australian Federal Police.

These legislation enforcement operations had been performed below Operation Endgame – an ongoing international initiative aimed toward figuring out, dismantling, and prosecuting cybercriminal networks. Coordinated by Europol and Eurojust, the operation efficiently took down crucial infrastructure used to deploy ransomware by way of malicious software program.

Since Danabot has largely been disrupted, we are going to 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 supplied to associates. Aside from exfiltrating delicate information, we’ve noticed that Danabot can 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 extra malware, together with ransomware.
• Danabot’s authors promote their toolset by way of underground boards and supply numerous rental choices to potential associates.
• The standard toolset offered by Danabot’s authors to their associates consists of an administration panel software, a backconnect instrument for real-time management of bots, and a proxy server software that relays the communication between the bots and the precise C&C server.
• Associates can select from numerous choices to generate new Danabot builds, and it’s their duty to distribute these builds by way of their very own campaigns.

Background

Danabot, which belongs to a gaggle 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 focusing on Australian customers. Since then, Danabot has expanded to different markets by way of numerous 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 numerous Danabot campaigns everywhere in the world, with Poland traditionally being probably the most focused international locations, 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 in opposition to Ukraine’s Ministry of Protection was noticed by Zscaler quickly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A really comparable DDoS module to the one utilized in that assault was additionally utilized by a Danabot operator to focus on a Russian website devoted to Arduino growth. These actions had 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 instrument 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 instrument, as depicted in Determine 2.

To amass new prospects, Danabot is continuously promoted in underground boards by the person JimmBee, who acts as one of many primary builders and directors of the Danabot malware and its toolset. One other noteworthy individual from the Danabot group is a person recognized in underground boards as Onix, who coadministers the Danabot infrastructure and can be accountable for gross sales operations.

Characteristic overview

Danabot’s authors have developed an unlimited number of options to help prospects with their malevolent goals. Essentially the most distinguished options supplied by Danabot embrace:

• the power to steal numerous information from browsers, mail shoppers, FTP shoppers, and different fashionable software program,
• keylogging and display recording,
• real-time distant management of the victims’ programs,
• a FileGrabber command, generally used for stealing cryptocurrency wallets,
• assist for Zeus-like webinjects and kind grabbing, and
• arbitrary payload add and execution.

In addition to using its stealing capabilities, we’ve noticed quite a lot of payloads being distributed by way of Danabot through the years, equivalent to:

• SystemBC,
• Rescoms,
• Ursnif,
• Smokeloader,
• Zloader,
• Lumma Stealer,
• RecordBreaker,
• Latrodectus, and
• NetSupportManager distant administration instrument.

Moreover, we’ve encountered cases of Danabot getting used to obtain ransomware onto already compromised programs. We are able to title LockBit, Buran, Disaster, and a NonRansomware variant being pushed on a number of events.

Danabot’s capacity to obtain and execute arbitrary payloads shouldn’t be the one characteristic used to distribute extra malware. Danabot was additionally noticed getting used as a instrument 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, based on our monitoring, Danabot has been a instrument 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 supplied particular pricing for a distribution bundle to their prospects, serving to them with the method. Matanbuchus is an instance of such a promoted loader.

Over time, we’ve seen all kinds of distribution strategies being utilized by Danabot associates, together with:

• quite a few variants of electronic 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 truly malicious, web sites among the many sponsored hyperlinks in Google search outcomes stands out as probably the most distinguished strategies to lure victims into downloading Danabot. The most well-liked ploy is packing the malware with authentic software program and providing such a bundle by way of bogus software program websites (Determine 3) or web sites falsely promising customers to assist them discover unclaimed funds (Determine 4).

The most recent addition to those social engineering strategies: misleading web sites providing options for fabricated laptop points, whose solely objective 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 strategy definitely had a adverse impression on that server’s efficiency and was extra vulnerable to potential disruptions. That is most likely one of many explanation 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 personal server, as marketed on their assist website, to be operated by the affiliate (Determine 6).

The rental choices, as supplied by way of an underground discussion board in July 2023, are illustrated in Determine 7.

It’s value mentioning that, based mostly on our monitoring, the rental of an account on the shared infrastructure managed by Danabot’s authors appears to be the most well-liked selection for risk actors.

When associates buy a rental of one of many choices, they’re given instruments and credentials to connect with the C&C server and handle their very own botnet by way of an administration panel. Within the following sections, we cowl the completely different elements of the standard toolset.

C&C server software

The standalone server software 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 by way of the administration panel software to handle their botnet. This C&C server software is accessible for native set up just for associates paying for the upper tier private server choice. Associates who select to function their botnets on Danabot’s infrastructure as a substitute are given connection particulars to the C&C server already arrange there, and don’t must host their very own C&C server.

Administration panel

The administration panel, displayed in Determine 8, is within the type of a GUI software, and represents an important instrument from the botnet operator’s perspective. It permits the affiliate to connect with the C&C server and carry out duties equivalent to:

• handle bots and retrieve statistics of the botnet,
• concern numerous 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 sequence 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 instrument

One other vital instrument for administration is the standalone utility that permits botnet operators to remotely connect with and management their on-line bots. Accessible actions for distant management, as seen within the instrument, are illustrated in Determine 9. Most likely probably the most fascinating options for cybercriminals are the power to see and management the sufferer’s laptop by way of a distant desktop connection and to carry out reconnaissance of the file system utilizing the built-in file supervisor.

Proxy server software

Bots usually don’t connect with the primary C&C server immediately, however reasonably use a sequence of proxies to relay the visitors and conceal the placement of the actual backend C&C. To facilitate this technique, Danabot’s authors present a proxy server software, out there for each Home windows and Linux programs. Determine 10 exhibits the utilization message from the Linux model of this easy proxy server software. In addition to utilizing proxies, bots will be configured to speak with the server by way of the Tor community in case all proxy chains turn into unavailable. An optionally available downloadable Tor module is then used for such communication.

Associates additionally continuously make the most of this proxy server software as an middleman between their administration panel and the C&C server to additional improve their anonymity. When the whole lot is put collectively, the standard infrastructure could 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, seems to be as proven in Desk 1 . We wish to level out that many of the fields are solely used throughout 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

The most recent variations of Danabot additionally add, to additional disguise its communication, a random quantity of seemingly junk bytes to the tip of the packet construction earlier than it’s encrypted. It’s value mentioning that Danabot authors don’t all the time observe the perfect 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 a substitute of clearing or initializing this newly acquired area. This led to unintentionally together with surrounding reminiscence areas of the method into the information 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 priceless perception into Danabot’s infrastructure and its customers. This bug was launched in 2022 and was fastened within the newest variations of Danabot in February 2025.

Additional particulars in regards to the communication and its encryption had been already coated by numerous 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 perfect of our data, whereas the operator could configure the construct course of and desired output by way of the administration panel software, 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 accountable for their distribution in a marketing campaign.

Determine 12 exhibits an instance of a construct configuration window and out there choices, such because the C&C server record to be configured within the remaining binary file, numerous obfuscation strategies, construct bitness, and many others.

Danabot at present affords 4 primary payload varieties, described in Desk 2.

Desk 2. Variants of accessible builds

Payload sort	Description
Major.dll	Generates a sole primary part within the type of a DLL to be distributed and loaded by way of rundll32.exe or regsvr32.exe.
Major.exe	Generates a loader within the type of an EXE which will include the abovementioned primary part DLL or obtain it from one of many configured C&C servers.
Drop.exe	Generates a dropper with an embedded primary part DLL to be dropped to disk.
Drop.msi	Generates an MSI bundle with an embedded primary part DLL to be loaded.

Instructions configuration

A botnet operator can concern a complicated configuration to the bots by way of the administration panel. Bots are then ordered to carry out numerous instructions based on the directions obtained. Determine 13 exhibits an instance of such a command configuration.

Desk 3 lists the out there instructions that may be issued. Every job has its personal particular choices to additional accommodate the operator’s wants.

Desk 3. Accessible instructions

Command	Description
Video	Report a video of the chosen software or web site.
KeyLogger	Seize keystrokes from the chosen software.
PostFilter	Seize info from sure web sites’ kinds.
WebInject	Enable Zeus-like webinjects on sure loaded web sites to change their perform.
Redirect	Enable redirection of sure URLs.
Block	Block entry to configured URLs.
Screens	Take screenshots of a particular software or web site at sure intervals.
Alerts	Enable notifications to be despatched to a particular Jabber account on a configurable occasion.
Uninstall	Uninstall the bot from the system.
UAC	Present assist for privilege escalation.
FileGrabber	Enable sure information to be uploaded to the C&C if discovered on the sufferer’s onerous disk.
TorActive	Allow loading of a Tor module and permit connection by way of 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 particular course of.
ConfigSave	Save the bot’s configuration earlier than its termination.
HideProcess	Cover the bot’s course of.
CoreProtect	Enable the primary part to be injected into a further course of.

Extra payloads

Danabot additionally gives the potential to obtain and execute additional executable information. This characteristic permits the botnet operator to configure the set up of extra malware to the compromised system, as talked about earlier. Determine 14 exhibits out there choices for this characteristic within the administration panel software.

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 offered 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 well from the takedown. The blow will, nevertheless, absolutely be felt, since legislation enforcement managed to unmask a number of people concerned within the malware’s operations.

For any inquiries about our analysis printed on WeLiveSecurity, please contact us at threatintel@eset.com. 

ESET Analysis affords non-public APT intelligence reviews and information feeds. For any inquiries about this service, go to the ESET Menace Intelligence web page.

IoCs

Information

Community

MITRE ATT&CK strategies

This desk was constructed utilizing model 17 of the MITRE ATT&CK framework.