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Zyklon HTTP Backdoor Malware

Zyklon is a publicly available HTTP backdoor malware with information-stealing, keylogging and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) capabilities.
Threat ID:
CC-1947
Category:
Backdoor, Trojan
Threat Severity:
Medium
Threat Vector:
Download
Published:
18 January 2018 12:00 AM
Report a cyber attack: call 0300 303 5222 or email [email protected]

This content has been archived

This article no longer conforms to NHS Digital's standards for cyber alerts, and may contain outdated or inaccurate information. Use of this information contained in this page is at your own risk

Summary

Zyklon is a publicly available HTTP backdoor malware with information-stealing, keylogging and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) capabilities.

Affected platforms

The following platforms are known to be affected:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows - All versions

Threat details

It communicates using the Tor network and has downloadable plugins to add further features including password recovery and cryptocurrency mining.

First appearing in 2016, Zyklon is delivered via spam email using a .zip attachment containing a malicious .doc file. This file uses three known vulnerabilities, including Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) exploitation, to execute a PowerShell script to download another file, pause.ps1. This file contains another PowerShell script which ultimately drops the final payload.

Command and Control (C2) communications are proxied through the Tor network in order to disguise the malware's owners. This connection is used to download and execute additional modules as well as to monitor the spread of Zyklon on a system.

Remediation steps

Type Step
  • User should maintain vigilance and be aware of possible phishing or spam campaigns
  • DDE should be disabled if not explicitly required. Further information on this can be found here.

Last edited: 17 February 2020 12:58 pm