ThreatMon’s Malware Research & Development team has uncovered the inner workings of GOGLoader, a sophisticated hybrid malware loader sold as Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS). This loader seamlessly combines native C++ components with .NET payloads, offering cybercriminals a flexible and powerful toolkit for stealthy, persistent attacks.
Hybrid Malware Design: Executes .NET payloads entirely in memory using a C++ stub, avoiding disk writes and minimizing forensic evidence.
Commercial Availability: Distributed on dark web marketplaces with a professional-grade C2 panel, enabling even low-skilled actors to operate sophisticated campaigns.
High Resilience: Advanced anti-analysis features—anti-debug, anti-VM, anti-sandbox, and custom process hollowing—allow GOGLoader to bypass many endpoint security solutions.
C2 Infrastructure: A multi-tabbed web panel (Clients, Payloads, Commands, Tasks, Builder, etc.) empowers operators with granular control, including:
Real-time bot tracking.
Automated command scheduling.
Payload deployment with customizable binaries.
IP blocklists targeting sandboxes and analysis tools.
Geolocation-based infection maps for monitoring campaign spread.
Payload Execution: Supports various methods (URL-based, local file, RUNPE) to inject malicious code, execute commands, or establish persistence.
Memory Manipulation: Techniques such as remapping memory permissions (RX→RW) and named pipe-based covert channels enable stealthy communication and runtime code modification, similar to techniques used by APT groups.
Persistence & Recon: Probes directories like AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ for future persistence opportunities and searches for hijackable DLLs in user folders.
Shadow DLL Override: By scanning user directories for commonly named DLLs (e.g., kernel32.dll), GOGLoader can hijack DLL loads for malicious execution.
Telegram Bot Integration: Optional setup allows instant operator notifications of infections or events via Telegram.
Dynamic Command Control: Tasks and commands can be preconfigured to trigger on client connections, automating persistence or malware upgrades.
File Hashes: Multiple SHA256 hashes identified for GOGLoader stubs and .NET payloads.
C2 Infrastructure:
IP: 45.129.185.58
Domains: api.ipify.org, api.telegram.org
Use EDR/XDR solutions with memory behavior analytics.
Apply YARA/Sigma rules from the report for immediate detection.
Monitor unauthorized .NET module execution.
Scrutinize outbound traffic to Telegram and IP discovery services.
Enforce application allowlisting to limit unauthorized software execution.
📘 Dive deeper into the full technical analysis, including disassembly details, advanced evasion tactics, and detection signatures, by accessing the complete GOGLoader report.
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