DarkGate Gained Popularity for its Covert Nature and Antivirus Evasion

DarkGate, a sophisticated Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) offered by the enigmatic RastaFarEye persona, has surged in prominence.

The malware is known for abusing Microsoft Teams and MSI files to compromise target systems. 

This Sekoia report delves into its ominous capabilities, examining its deployment by threat actors like TA577 and Ducktail.

DarkGate employs ingenious data obfuscation techniques, including base64 encoding with a dual-alphabet approach. 

Unraveling its inner workings reveals a TStringList configuration stored in PE, challenging analysts to decode and comprehend.

Command and Control Evasion Tactics

The malware communicates covertly with the attacker’s server over HTTP, employing obfuscated messages. 

A dynamic C2 port strategy and a unique approach to action IDs contribute to DarkGate’s resilient command and control infrastructure.

DarkGate unleashes a range of Remote Access Trojan (RAT) tactics, from reverse shell implementations to PowerShell script executions, reads the report.

Its keylogger prowess, Discord token hunting, and remote desktop access through hidden Virtual Network Computing (hVNC) pose significant threats.

The malware employs Union API, dynamic API resolution, and LOLBAS DLL loading to elude traditional antivirus solutions. 

Its APC injection via NtTestAlert further reduces its footprint, while environment detection ensures adaptability to diverse host configurations.

DarkGate exhibits multiple persistence techniques, utilizing LNK files, registry keys, and DLL loading. 

Its privilege escalation methods range from PsExec restarts to raw stub execution, ensuring sustained access to compromised hosts.

Post-Compromission Hunting

Hunting for DarkGate traces unveils a plethora of artifacts, from registry keys to log and debug files. 

Vigilance in monitoring temporary directories and specific file paths is crucial for identifying and mitigating DarkGate infections.

DarkGate’s advanced development and diverse functionalities make it a formidable threat. 

Despite leveraging open-source PoCs and established tools, its unique amalgamation of techniques demands continual scrutiny. 

Organizations must remain vigilant, as DarkGate persists as a significant menace in the cybercrime landscape.

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