Full Report
2025-03-25 • SpyCloud • James • win.ghostsocks Open article on Malpedia
Analysis Summary
The provided context is a reference to an article titled "On the Hunt for Ghost(Socks)" by SpyCloud, referencing the entry for `win.ghostsocks` on Malpedia. Since the actual content of the article detailing the tool's specifics (hashes, C2s, detailed functionality) is *not* present, this summary will rely on the implicit identification of the tool name and common knowledge associated with such a name (a SOCKS-based tool often used for C2 tunneling).
The summary structure will be populated based on the **Tool Name** referenced in the context (`Ghost(Socks)` or `win.ghostsocks`).
# Tool/Technique: Ghost(Socks) / win.ghostsocks
## Overview
Ghost(Socks) (or `win.ghostsocks`) appears to be a specific tool or malware variant used, likely for establishing clandestine communication channels, often by leveraging SOCKS proxy protocols for command and control (C2) or data exfiltration.
## Technical Details
- Type: Tool / Malware (likely a proxy client or C2 implant mechanism)
- Platform: Windows (indicated by `win.ghostsocks`)
- Capabilities: Establishing proxified network connections, typically tunneling traffic over SOCKS protocol.
- First Seen: No specific date provided in the context, but the linked article is dated 2025-03-25.
## MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
*Note: Since specific TTPs are not detailed in the abstract, mappings are based on the general function of a SOCKS proxy tool.*
- [TA0011 - Command and Control]
- [T1090 - Proxy]
- [T1090.003 - Proxy: Multi-hop Proxy] (If it chains SOCKS through multiple points)
## Functionality
### Core Capabilities
- Establishing a SOCKS connection (likely SOCKS4 or SOCKS5) between the compromised host and an external server.
- Tunneling arbitrary TCP traffic through this proxy for covert communication.
### Advanced Features
- Specific advanced features are unknown without the full article content. If it functions as a full implant, it might include features for traffic obfuscation or persistence mechanisms.
## Indicators of Compromise
*Note: No specific IOCs were extracted from the provided context.*
- File Hashes: [Unknown]
- File Names: [Unknown, potentially related to "ghost" or "socks"]
- Registry Keys: [Unknown]
- Network Indicators: [Unknown, but communications will typically involve a known destination server utilizing SOCKS protocol]
- Behavioral Indicators: [Creation of network listeners or outbound TCP connections attempting SOCKS handshake]
## Associated Threat Actors
- [Unknown based on context, but analysis was performed by SpyCloud.]
## Detection Methods
- [Signature-based detection: Based on known file signatures or embedded strings related to SOCKS libraries.]
- [Behavioral detection: Monitoring for unusual inbound connections attempting SOCKS protocol negotiation on non-standard ports.]
- [YARA rules if available: Unknown]
## Mitigation Strategies
- [Prevention measures: Network segmentation and strict egress filtering.]
- [Hardening recommendations: Implementing deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect encapsulated traffic patterns characteristic of tunneling proxies.]
## Related Tools/Techniques
- SSH Tunneling (T1090.001)
- Common proxy tools (e.g., Cobalt Strike SOCKS beacons, `chisel`, standard SOCKS servers).