GodRAT Trojan: How Steganography and Gh0st RAT Code Target Trading Firms via Skype

TL;DR

A newly identified remote access trojan (RAT), dubbed GodRAT, is targeting trading and brokerage firms through malicious .SCR files disguised as financial documents. These files are distributed via Skype, leveraging steganography and Gh0st RAT code to evade detection. This campaign poses a significant threat to financial institutions, emphasizing the need for heightened cybersecurity measures.

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Introduction

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, and financial institutions remain prime targets for sophisticated attacks. In a recent discovery, researchers at Kaspersky uncovered a new remote access trojan (RAT) named GodRAT, which is being used to infiltrate trading and brokerage firms. The attack involves malicious .SCR (screensaver) files disguised as financial documents, distributed via Skype. This campaign highlights the growing use of steganography and legacy malware code to bypass security measures.

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How the GodRAT Trojan Operates

1. Distribution via Skype

The attackers exploit Skype messenger to deliver malicious files to unsuspecting victims. These files are camouflaged as financial documents, such as invoices or reports, to trick employees into opening them.

2. Use of Steganography

Steganography is a technique used to hide malicious payloads within seemingly harmless files. In this case, the GodRAT Trojan embeds its payload in image or document files, making it difficult for traditional security tools to detect the threat.

3. Gh0st RAT Code Integration

GodRAT incorporates elements of the Gh0st RAT, a well-known malware family that has been used in cyberespionage campaigns for over a decade. By repurposing this code, the attackers enhance the Trojan’s remote access capabilities, allowing them to:

• Steal sensitive data
• Execute arbitrary commands
• Maintain persistence on infected systems

4. Execution of Malicious .SCR Files

Once the victim opens the malicious .SCR file, the Trojan is executed, granting attackers unauthorized access to the system. This can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and operational disruptions for the targeted firms.

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Why This Attack is Concerning

The GodRAT Trojan campaign is particularly alarming for several reasons:

✅ Targeting Financial Institutions

Trading and brokerage firms handle high-value transactions and sensitive client data, making them lucrative targets for cybercriminals.

✅ Use of Steganography

By hiding malicious code within legitimate-looking files, attackers evade detection from traditional antivirus solutions.

✅ Legacy Malware Integration

The use of Gh0st RAT code demonstrates how cybercriminals repurpose old malware to create new threats, making it harder for security teams to defend against them.

✅ Social Engineering Tactics

Distributing malware via Skype messages exploits human trust and curiosity, increasing the likelihood of successful infections.

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Implications for Cybersecurity

The emergence of GodRAT underscores the need for proactive cybersecurity measures, including:

🔹 Employee Training

Educating staff about phishing attacks and suspicious file attachments can reduce the risk of infections.

🔹 Advanced Threat Detection

Deploying AI-driven security tools that can detect steganography-based attacks and unusual network behavior is critical.

🔹 Regular Software Updates

Ensuring that all systems and applications are up-to-date with the latest security patches can prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

🔹 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.

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Conclusion

The GodRAT Trojan represents a growing trend in cyber threats, where attackers combine steganography, legacy malware, and social engineering to target high-value industries. Financial institutions must strengthen their defenses by adopting advanced threat detection, employee training, and robust security protocols. As cybercriminals continue to refine their tactics, staying ahead of these threats is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining operational integrity.

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Additional Resources

For further insights, check:

• Kaspersky’s Analysis on GodRAT
• Understanding Steganography in Cyberattacks
• Gh0st RAT: A Legacy Threat