Exploring a New KimJongRAT Stealer Variant and Its PowerShell Implementation


This article provides a comprehensive analysis of two new variants of the KimJongRAT stealer.

Palo Alto Unit 42 combine new research findings with existing knowledge to provide a comprehensive resource for understanding and combating these new KimJongRAT variants. The KimJongRAT stealer was first described in 2013 by the Malware.lu CERT. Palo Alto researchers documented another variant of this family in 2019. One of the new variants uses a Portable Executable (PE) file and the other uses a PowerShell implementation. The PE and PowerShell variants are both initiated by clicking a Windows shortcut (LNK) file that downloads a dropper file from an attacker-controlled content delivery network (CDN) account.

Read more…
Source: Palo Alto Unit 42


Sign up for our Newsletter
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox.


Related:

  • Mac users warned about new DigitStealer information stealer

    November 19, 2025

    This variant comes with advanced detection-evasion techniques and a multi-stage attack chain. Most infostealers go after the same types of data and use similar methods to get it, but DigitStealer is different enough to warrant attention. A few things make it stand out: platform-specific targeting, fileless operation, and anti-analysis techniques. Together, they pose relatively new challenges ...

  • Understanding the future of offensive AI in cybersecurity

    November 19, 2025

    As we step into an era where artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly significant role in cybersecurity, discussions surrounding its offensive capabilities are becoming more prominent. A recent report by Anthropic—a leading AI research lab—has sparked the latest conversation on this topic, with questions raised about their claim that an AI-assisted attack they observed was ...

  • Dutch government is relinquishing control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia

    November 19, 2025

    The Dutch government said it’s relinquishing control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, easing a standoff between China and the Netherlands that threatened supplies of semiconductors vital for global auto manufacturing. Economics Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans said Wednesday that he was suspending an earlier order to take control of Nexperia under a rarely invoked law. Read more… Source: ABC News Sign ...

  • Myanmar: Authorities arrest nearly 350 in raids targeting illegal gambling and online scam centres on Thai border

    November 19, 2025

    On the morning of 18 November, security forces together with departmental teams conducted an operation in the Shwe Kokko area, located to the north of Myawady. First, they cleared three buildings that had been constructed without official permission. During the operation, 346 foreign nationals currently under scrutiny were arrested. Nearly ten thousand mobile phones used in ...

  • Tens of thousands more ASUS routers pwned by suspected, evolving China operation

    November 19, 2025

    Around 50,000 ASUS routers have been compromised in a sophisticated attack that researchers believe may be linked to China, according to findings released today by SecurityScorecard’s STRIKE team. Dubbed “Operation WrtHug”, the campaign exclusively targets end-of-life ASUS WRT routers, exploiting multiple known vulnerabilities – some dating back to 2023. The affected routers are primarily concentrated in ...

  • IT threat evolution in Q3 2025. Mobile statistics

    November 19, 2025

    According to Kaspersky Security Network, in Q3 2025, 47 million attacks utilizing malware, adware, or unwanted mobile software were prevented. Trojans were the most widespread threat among mobile malware, encountered by 15.78% of all attacked users of Kaspersky solutions. More than 197,000 malicious installation packages were discovered, including, 52,723 associated with mobile banking Trojans,1564 packages identified ...