Pikabot: camouflage and deceive

Pikabot: camouflage and deceive

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Pikabot is a sophisticated and modular backdoor Trojan that first appeared in early 2023. Its most notable feature lies in its loader's ability to deliver payloads combined with advanced defensive evasion techniques.

Using a command and control server, the attacker can take control remotely and execute various commands, including injecting shellcode, DLLs or executable files. The authors of Pikabot have also implemented several anti-analysis techniques to prevent automatic analysis in sandbox and research environments. This includes anti-debugger and anti-VM techniques as well as sandbox environment detection methods. In terms of its campaigns, Pikabot is similar to the Quakbot Trojan through its malicious characteristics and distribution strategies.

Different distribution methods

It is spread via mal-spamming, email hijacking or malvertising. The different distribution methods, such as the use of PDF files in phishing attacks, make Pikabot a significant challenge for security analysts. Technical analysis reveals Pikabot's sophisticated evasion techniques, encryption mechanisms and behavior patterns. It is a modular backdoor malware that attacks its victims through spam campaigns and email hijacking by using a loader and a core module. The loader is responsible for loading the main component of the malware into the system.

Pikabot proves to be very dangerous as it pursues goals such as crypto mining, installing spyware and ransomware, stealing credentials, and conveniently remotely controlling compromised systems. To adequately counter the increasing threat of Pikabot, best security practices should be implemented in companies:

  • Usage current security software
  • continuierliche Network traffic monitoring
  • secure passwordsr and multi-factor authentication
  • regular training to security awareness
  • systematic Patch management
  • regular backups and creating an incident response plan.

Logpoint Converged SIEM provides a comprehensive security platform that enables effective threat detection and response. With its EDR capability through native agent AgentX and SOAR capabilities, it enables automated threat investigations and response to respond to complex threats like Pikabot.

More at Logpoint.com

 


About Logpoint

Logpoint is the manufacturer of a reliable, innovative platform for cybersecurity operations. With the combination of advanced technology and a deep understanding of customers' challenges, Logpoint strengthens the capabilities of security teams and helps them combat current and future threats. Logpoint offers SIEM, UEBA, SOAR and SAP security technologies that converge into a complete platform that efficiently detects threats, minimizes false positives, autonomously prioritizes risks, responds to incidents and more.


 

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