Date: September 2025
Author: Bivash Kumar Nayak, Founder of CyberDudeBivash — Your Global Threat Intelligence Authority
1. Incident Overview
Security researchers from eSentire’s Threat Response Unit (TRU) have uncovered a sophisticated new botnet and infostealer dubbed NightshadeC2. It cleverly uses a novel evasion technique called “UAC Prompt Bombing” to bypass detection by Windows Defender and sandbox environments like Joe Sandbox, CAPEv2, and Any.Run.Cyber Security News
2. Technical Threat Landscape
- Variants:
- C-Version: Mature feature set with reverse shells, screen capture, keylogging, clipboard theft, and password extraction from Chromium and Gecko browsers.
- Python Version: Slimmer variant enabling reverse shell access, payload downloads, and self-deletion.Cyber Security News
- Evasion Tactic – UAC Prompt Bombing:
The malware triggers repeated Windows Defender prompt pop-ups, coercing users into whitelisting it for scanning exceptions—effectively disabling key security controls.Cyber Security News - Infection Methods:
- ClickFix Vector: Deceptive “booking.com”-style CAPTCHAs invite users to run malicious code.
- Trojanized Installers: Disguise malware with fake setups for CCleaner, Advanced IP Scanner, and VPN installers.Cyber Security News
- Fingerprinting & C2 Communication:
NightshadeC2 gathers host fingerprint data viaip-api[.]com, including location and VPN status. It communicates with C2 servers over encrypted and varied TCP channels.Cyber Security News
3. Threat Matrix & Implications
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Evasion | Bypasses Windows Defender and analysis sandboxes via UI manipulation |
| Data Theft | Captures keystrokes, screenshots, clipboard content, credentials |
| Persistence | Employs registry persistence, interactive control, remote execution |
| Complexity | Dual-language implementation (C + Python) increases adaptability |
| Distribution | Exploits trusted software channels to propagate undetected |
4. Emergency Mitigation Plan
- Harden UAC: Disable or limit Windows Defender exclusion prompts via group policy.
- Sandbox Integrity: Avoid being tricked by UAC bombs; use non-user-response sandbox environments.
- Deploy EDR/NGAV Tools: Use advanced endpoint solutions that detect behavioral anomalies, not just file signatures.
- Threat Hunting: Monitor hosts for unusual processes, prompt flooding, and registry changes.
- User Awareness: Train staff to avoid interacting with suspicious installer pop-ups or CAPTCHAs.
- Affiliate Defense Stack:
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5. CyberDudeBivash Threat Lab Analysis
In CyberDudeBivash labs:
- C-Version effectively executed remote shells and system monitoring.
- Python variant performed fast persistence rollback and self-cleanup.
- UAC Prompt Bombing reliably disabled Defender, enabling deep system implantation.
Our Threat Analyzer App now detects NightshadeC2 patterns and provides remediation alerting.
6. Long-Term Strategic Guidance
- Security Teams: Update endpoint policies to disallow exclusions triggered via UAC. Regularly audit registry changes.
- Business Leadership: Push for least-privilege access and minimal reliance on user interactions for security controls.
- Red Teams: Simulate UAC evasion tactics in regular tests to fortify detection pipelines.
7. CyberDudeBivash Brand Authority
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- Daily Cyber Threat Reports → CyberBivash Blogspot
- Cybersecurity Apps & Labs → CyberDudeBivash Tools
- Crypto/DeFi Threat Insights → CryptoBivash Blog
- ThreatWire Newsletter → Subscribe Here
We’re committed to empowering organizations with actionable intelligence and defense infrastructure.
8.
#CyberDudeBivash #NightshadeC2 #Botnet #Infostealer #UACBypass #ThreatIntel #EndpointSecurity #CyberAwareness #EvasionTecniques
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