Microsoft Security Blog: StilachiRAT analysis: From system reconnaissance to cryptocurrency theft

Mar 17, 2025

—

Source URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/03/17/stilachirat-analysis-from-system-reconnaissance-to-cryptocurrency-theft/
Source: Microsoft Security Blog
Title: StilachiRAT analysis: From system reconnaissance to cryptocurrency theft

Feedly Summary: Microsoft Incident Response uncovered a novel remote access trojan (RAT) named StilachiRAT, which demonstrates sophisticated techniques to evade detection, persist in the target environment, and exfiltrate sensitive data. This blog primarily focuses on analysis of the WWStartupCtrl64.dll module that contains the RAT capabilities and summarizes the malware’s key behaviors, capabilities, and the potential risk posed to systems and users.
The post StilachiRAT analysis: From system reconnaissance to cryptocurrency theft appeared first on Microsoft Security Blog.

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text presents a comprehensive analysis of the StilachiRAT, a sophisticated remote access trojan (RAT) identified by Microsoft Incident Response researchers. Notable for its evasion techniques and capabilities to exfiltrate sensitive data, the analysis highlights key features that pose significant security threats, emphasizing the need for enhanced defensive strategies and mitigations.

Detailed Description:
The analysis of StilachiRAT sheds light on the advanced functionalities and stealth tactics employed by this remote access trojan, showcasing substantial implications for information security. Below are the major points covered in the text:

– **Sophisticated Evasion Techniques**: StilachiRAT utilizes various methods to evade detection and maintain persistence in target environments.
– **Key Capabilities**: Its functionalities include:
– **System Reconnaissance**: Collects extensive system information such as OS details and hardware identifiers.
– **Digital Wallet Targeting**: Identifies and exfiltrates data from specific cryptocurrency wallet extensions.
– **Credential Theft**: Extracts saved credentials from Google Chrome, including usernames and passwords.
– **Command-and-Control (C2) Connectivity**: Establishes communications for remote command execution via various TCP ports.
– **Anti-Forensics and Evasion**: Implements techniques to erase event logs and impede malware analyses, complicating detection efforts.
– **Technical Analysis**: The technical capabilities include detailed mechanisms for credential theft, C2 communications, monitoring RDP sessions, clipboard data surveillance, and the use of persistence mechanisms that ensure the malwares’ excessive longevity on infected systems.
– **Mitigation Strategies**: The blog discusses several preventive measures, such as downloading software only from reputable sources, enabling specific security features in Microsoft Defender, and implementing network protection protocols to decrease the risk of infection.
– **Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)**: Specific IoCs related to StilachiRAT, including file hashes, IP addresses, and domain names, are provided to assist in the detection of the threat within networks.

Overall, the detailed findings from the StilachiRAT analysis emphasize the necessity for vigilance in cybersecurity practices, particularly in environments where sensitive information such as credentials and financial data are stored. For professionals in the fields of security and compliance, the continuous monitoring of evolving threats and the implementation of comprehensive defensive strategies are paramount.

1 2 3 4 5 7 a access Act AI alt analysis and anti Arch Arize art as Behavior board by C C2 capabilities Chrome CIA CLIP Col command command execution command-and-control communication compliance connectivity continuous monitoring control credential credential theft credentials Crypto cryptocurrency cryptocurrency theft cyber cybersecurit Cybersecurity cybersecurity practices D data data surveillance de Defender Defensive Strategies demo detection digital domain domain names e end environment evasion evasion techniques event evolving threats execution extensions feature features financial financial data first for forensics g git Go Google Google Chrome gs H hardware high Highlight HR http HTTPS identifiers implementation implications in incident incident response indicators of compromise information information security IoC IoCs IRS J k Key l led Li logs long low malware man Micro Microsoft Microsoft Defender Microsoft Security Microsoft Security Blog mitigation mitigation strategies mitigations Monitor monitoring N network network protection networks no o of on only over passwords persistence mechanisms phi point post potential pre preventive measures professionals protection protocol protocols R rate RCE RDP reconnaissance red Remote Access Remote Access Trojan research researchers response Risk Ro RoT s search sec security security and compliance security features security practices security threat security threats sensitive data sensitive information Sig software source specific SSE start startup stealth surveillance system systems T tactics Tails tech techniques text the theft threat threats to Tor TP trojan two up US use user Users V vigilance Ware Wi x