Threat Actor Allegedly Selling AV/EDR Killer on Dark Web

A Russian-speaking threat actor operating under the pseudonym Spyboy has begun promoting a sophisticated tool dubbed Terminator EDR Killer on dark web forums.

The tool claims to systematically disable endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems and antivirus (AV) solutions.

Marketed as an “all-in-one” solution for breaching enterprise defenses, the tool leverages Bring Your Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) techniques to bypass security controls, with prices ranging from $300 for single-AV evasion to $3,000 for full EDR neutralization.

Cybersecurity analysts warn this development signals a dangerous escalation in offensive cyber capabilities, particularly for ransomware operators seeking unimpeded network access.

The Rise of EDR Killers in Modern Cyberattacks

According to the post from DarkWebInformer, EDR killers like Terminator represent a paradigm shift in adversarial tactics.

These tools target the systems designed to detect malicious activity, exploiting vulnerabilities in trusted software components to disable defenses preemptively.

According to a 2025 Logpoint Emerging Threats Report, over 15 major ransomware groups—including Black Basta, LockBit 3.0, and Royal—now incorporate EDR-killing modules into their attack chains.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) notes a 240% year-over-year increase in BYOVD-related incidents since 2023, with threat actors increasingly weaponizing signed but outdated drivers.

Terminator specifically abuses CVE-2024-1853, a critical vulnerability in Zemana AntiLogger drivers (v2.74.204.664), to execute arbitrary process termination at the kernel level.

By loading these digitally signed drivers into memory, attackers gain privileged access to terminate security processes, delete event logs, and manipulate kernel structures—all while evading detection.

SentinelOne researchers confirmed the tool successfully bypasses protections from CrowdStrike, Sophos, and Microsoft Defender in lab environments.

Dark Web Markets Fuel-Tool Proliferation

The commercialization of EDR evasion tools has created a thriving dark web economy.

Platforms like XSS and Russian Market now host over 45 distinct EDR-killer listings, with prices averaging $1,200 per tool.

Trusted actors like KernelMode and Spyboy maintain vendor reputations through video demonstrations and ransomware group endorsements.

Recent collaborations between FIN7 and Black Basta have further legitimized these tools, with the groups using AvNeutralizer (a Terminator variant) in attacks against critical infrastructure targets.

Binary Defense’s analysis of Killer Ultra—a Terminator derivative used in Qilin ransomware campaigns—reveals expanded capabilities including:

• Termination of 78 security processes (Symantec, SentinelOne, Cortex XDR)
• Comprehensive Windows Event Log manipulation
• Dormant command-and-control modules for post-exploitation payload delivery

“These tools are no longer simple process killers,” warns John Dwyer, Binary Defense’s Director of Security Research.

“They’re evolving into Swiss Army knives for network persistence, giving attackers months of undetected access even after initial defenses fall.”

Defensive Strategies and Industry Response

The cybersecurity community faces dual challenges: mitigating known vulnerabilities while anticipating novel bypass techniques. Key recommendations include:

1. Driver Allowlisting: Implement strict policies for approved kernel drivers, blocking outdated versions like Zemana’s vulnerable builds
2. Behavioral Analytics: Deploy AI/ML models trained to detect driver loading anomalies and unauthorized kernel object modifications
3. Firmware Protections: Utilize Intel VT-x and AMD-V hypervisor protections to create isolated execution environments for EDR processes

SentinelOne confirms its Singularity platform detects Terminator’s driver-loading patterns through patented Static AI analysis, while Microsoft advises customers to enable Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) in Defender for Endpoint.

A New Era of Cybersecurity Arms Race

As ransomware groups shift from opportunistic attacks to strategic targeting, the commoditization of EDR killers marks a critical inflection point.

With Spyboy’s tools already implicated in 34 confirmed breaches per Dark Web Informer analytics, organizations must reevaluate layered defense postures.

“This isn’t just about buying better EDR,” notes Logpoint’s Threat Intelligence Lead.

“It’s about rearchitecting trust models in an era where even signed code can’t be assumed safe.”

The Terminator EDR Killer saga underscores cybersecurity’s evolving battlefield—one where attackers no longer circumvent defenses but dismantle them outright.

As dark web markets continue democratizing advanced offensive capabilities, proactive threat hunting and zero-trust architectures may prove the only viable countermeasures.

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