Infostealer Epidemic -Free Webinar
Picus Labs analyzed over one million malware samples this year, identifying 14 million malicious actions. Our research highlights a surge in advanced stealth tactics, including process injection, encrypted data exfiltration, and a threefold rise in infostealer activity.
As we delve deeper, it’s essential to recognize the types of infostealers that are most prevalent in today’s cybersecurity landscape. Infostealers like RedLine, Vidar, and Raccoon have become household names among cybercriminals due to their effectiveness in extracting sensitive information. RedLine, for instance, not only harvests login credentials but also targets browser data, allowing attackers to gain comprehensive insight into user activities.
Join Dr. Erdal Özkaya and the Picus as they explore:
- The ten most-used ATT&CK techniques and how they are leveraged in 93% of attacks.
- Understand the ways of defending against the infostealer epidemic and why you have to leave a reactive approach.
- Learn how Adversarial Exposure Validation helps prioritize real risks to stop threats before they spread.
You can grab your copy of the Red Report 2025 here before the event.
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Deep Dive into Infostealer Payloads and Evasion: Fortifying Your Enterprise Against Advanced Threats
The escalating infostealer epidemic demands a far more granular understanding than surface-level defenses can provide. While our previous discussion highlighted the broad strokes of this threat, effectively safeguarding your enterprise requires a deep dive into the intricacies of infostealer payloads, their sophisticated evasion techniques, and the advanced post-compromise activities they enable. This article delves into the inner workings of prominent infostealer families, their methods of concealment, the full spectrum of ATT&CK techniques they employ, and the proactive strategies necessary to disrupt their insidious operations.
Deep Dive into Infostealer Payloads and Evasion: Fortifying Your Enterprise Against Advanced Threats
The escalating infostealer epidemic demands a far more granular understanding than surface-level defenses can provide. While our previous discussion highlighted the broad strokes of this threat, effectively safeguarding your enterprise requires a deep dive into the intricacies of infostealer payloads, their sophisticated evasion techniques, and the advanced post-compromise activities they enable.
Furthermore, the evolution of these threats means that new variants regularly emerge. Each iteration often comes equipped with enhanced capabilities to bypass traditional security measures. Organizations must stay updated on these developments, as even minor alterations in infostealer payloads can present significant challenges in detection and defense.
This article delves into the inner workings of prominent infostealer families, their methods of concealment, the full spectrum of ATT&CK techniques they employ, and the proactive strategies necessary to disrupt their insidious operations.
Understanding infostealers also involves recognizing the broader implications of their operations. For instance, data stolen through these attacks can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and significant reputational damage for organizations. Moreover, the stolen data can be sold on the dark web, where it can be exploited by other malicious actors for further attacks.
The Anatomy of Deception: A Look Inside Infostealer Payloads
Infostealer payloads are not monolithic entities; they are often modular and highly adaptable, designed to perform a specific set of malicious actions while remaining as stealthy as possible. Understanding the distinct capabilities of prevalent infostealer families is crucial for tailoring effective defenses.
RedLine Stealer, in particular, has made headlines for its ability to use social engineering tactics to trick users into downloading the malware. Cybercriminals often disguise the malware as legitimate software, making it crucial for organizations to educate employees on recognizing such threats.
- RedLine Stealer:
- Vidar:
- Raccoon Stealer:
The Art of Concealment: Evasion Techniques in the Wild
To remain undetected and maximize their dwell time, infostealers employ a range of sophisticated evasion techniques
- Process Injection (T1055):
- Living-Off-The-Land Binaries (LOLBins) (T1218)
- Anti-Analysis Features:
Given the implications of infostealer attacks, organizations must adopt a multi-layered security approach. This includes not only deploying advanced threat detection systems but also ensuring regular employee training and awareness programs. By fostering a culture of security, companies can significantly reduce their vulnerability to such attacks.
In addition to these efforts, organizations should invest in threat intelligence services that provide insights into emerging infostealer tactics. By staying informed about the latest trends and techniques employed by threat actors, businesses can better prepare their defenses and respond more effectively to incidents.
Expanding the Attack Narrative: Beyond Initial Foothold
While initial access is critical, infostealer campaigns involve a series of post-compromise activities aimed at deepening their foothold and maximizing data exfiltration. Mapping these activities to the ATT&CK framework provides a comprehensive understanding of the threat lifecycle:
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The Foundation for a Robust Security
The Foundation for a Robust Security In today’s digital age, robust security is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Whether protecting sensitive personal information or safeguarding critical business infrastructure, establishing a strong security foundation is paramount. This chapter explores the four key foundations of strong security, providing detailed insights…
The post-compromise activities of infostealers underscore the importance of rapid incident response. Once an infostealer has infiltrated a network, its operators often perform lateral movements to access additional systems and data. Implementing strict access control measures can help mitigate these risks, ensuring that even if one system is compromised, the overall integrity of the network remains intact.
Foundation for a Robust Security 2
Moreover, organizations should consider conducting regular penetration tests and security audits, simulating infostealer attacks to identify weaknesses within their defenses. Such proactive measures can reveal vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
In conclusion, defending against infostealers requires a comprehensive understanding of their tactics and methods. By integrating advanced technologies, fostering a culture of security, and remaining vigilant against evolving threats, organizations can better protect themselves against this growing epidemic of data theft.
Foundation for a Robust Security 2 Imagine a medieval castle protected by a single wall. A breach in that wall leaves everything within vulnerable. Now imagine that same castle with multiple layers of defense – a moat, an outer wall, an inner wall, and guards patrolling throughout. This layered approach…Continue reading →
Defend Your Enterprise Against the Infostealer Epidemic – Free Webinar
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Infostealer Epidemic -Free Webinar
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