MaaS Botnet Allegedly Being Sold by Threat Actors on Hacker Forums

A sophisticated Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) botnet dubbed “ThreadMon” has reportedly been listed for sale on underground forums, offering advanced capabilities through a blend of legitimate technologies and blockchain integration.

The botnet’s source code is now available to potential buyers, raising significant concerns among cybersecurity professionals.

This malware platform leverages Node.js architecture with blockchain-based command and control mechanisms, representing a technically advanced threat designed for stealth operations and scalability.

The ThreadMon botnet distinguishes itself through innovative use of Ethereum blockchain for command and control infrastructure.

According to the listing, the malware implements a smart contract within the Ethereum network to acquire C2 addresses, making traditional detection and blocking methods significantly less effective.

This approach allows threat actors to update command infrastructure without directly communicating with compromised systems through conventional channels that might trigger security alerts.

The technical foundation of ThreadMon combines several legitimate frameworks, including Node.js as its primary runtime environment, with Next.js for web interface components.

The malware backend infrastructure leverages PostgreSQL for structured data storage and Redis for caching and fast message handling.

This architectural approach enables the malware to blend in with legitimate application traffic while maintaining sophisticated operational capabilities.

MaaS Botnet Allegedly

ThreadMon is reportedly distributed as a Windows MSI installer package, facilitating seamless deployment across target environments.

Upon installation, the malware establishes a complete Node.js runtime environment on the victim’s system, creating a foundation for executing complex JavaScript-based payloads.

The malware implements persistent access mechanisms to ensure longevity on compromised systems, even after system reboots.

Communication between infected systems and control servers occurs via WebSocket protocols, enabling real-time bidirectional data exchange with minimal network footprint.

This approach allows attackers to maintain interactive control over compromised assets while minimizing detection signatures.

The malware’s modular design supports dynamic functionality extension without requiring complete redeployment.

Significant Threat Landscape

The ThreadMon botnet offers an extensive array of malicious capabilities that pose substantial risks to targeted organizations.

Core functionality includes screen capture for surveillance, remote code execution for deploying additional payloads, and comprehensive file manipulation capabilities.

These features provide attackers with a versatile toolkit for data exfiltration, lateral movement, and persistent access within compromised networks.

Security researchers noted that ThreadMon’s technical sophistication represents an evolution in malware development practices, particularly in its integration of blockchain technologies for operational security.

The malware’s reliance on legitimate frameworks creates significant challenges for detection systems that typically focus on identifying anomalous binaries rather than misused legitimate software.

The emergence of ThreadMon highlights the continued professionalization of the cybercrime ecosystem, where advanced capabilities are packaged and monetized through service-based business models.

Organizations are advised to implement comprehensive monitoring solutions with particular attention to unusual Node.js process creation, unexpected network connections to blockchain infrastructure, and unauthorized MSI installer execution.

As blockchain-integrated malware becomes more prevalent, security teams will need to adapt detection strategies to identify the unique signatures associated with these hybrid threats that leverage both conventional and distributed ledger technologies.

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