🍳 MALWARE ANALYSIS • THREAT REPORT

THE DIGITAL SPY: TamperedChef Malware Masquerades as a PDF Editor to Harvest Credentials and Gain Backdoor Access

By CyberDudeBivash • October 08, 2025 • Threat Analysis Report

cyberdudebivash.com | cyberbivash.blogspot.com

Disclosure: This is a malware analysis report for security professionals and the general public. It contains affiliate links to security solutions we recommend. Your support helps fund our independent research.

Threat Report: Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Bait — The Lure of “Free” Productivity Software

A new, sophisticated malware campaign is targeting users with one of the most effective lures on the internet: a “free” PDF editor. The campaign, which delivers a multi-stage payload we are tracking as **”TamperedChef,”** uses **SEO poisoning** to get its malicious websites to the top of Google search results. Unsuspecting users searching for legitimate software are directed to these malicious sites, where they download a trojanized installer. This installer provides a seemingly functional PDF application to avoid suspicion, but in the background, it “cooks up” a recipe for a full system compromise.

Chapter 2: Threat Analysis — The Two-Stage ‘TamperedChef’ Payload

The malware is called “TamperedChef” because it combines two distinct malicious “ingredients” into a single, devastating attack.

Ingredient #1: The Infostealer

Immediately upon execution, the malware deploys a fast and aggressive infostealer module. This is a “smash-and-grab” attack designed to harvest all the high-value credentials from the machine as quickly as possible. This includes stealing:

Saved passwords, cookies, and credit card data from all major web browsers.
Cryptocurrency wallet files.
Session tokens for applications like Discord, Telegram, and Steam.

This data is immediately exfiltrated to the attacker’s command-and-control server.

Ingredient #2: The Backdoor (RAT)

After the initial data theft, the malware establishes long-term persistence by deploying a full-featured Remote Access Trojan (RAT). This backdoor allows the attacker to return to the compromised machine at any time to:

Spy on the user by activating their webcam and microphone.
Log their keystrokes to capture new passwords.
Steal more files.
Use the compromised computer as part of a botnet to attack others.

Chapter 3: The Defender’s Playbook — How to Protect Yourself

Defending against this threat requires a healthy dose of skepticism and a strong technical safety net.

1. SOURCE MATTERS: Don’t Trust Search Results

Never download software from a website you found through a search engine, especially if it’s a top result for a “free” version of paid software. Always go directly to the official, known website of the software vendor to download.

2. BE WARY OF “FREE”

If a commercial product is being offered for free on a random website, it is almost certainly a trap. The “price” you will pay is the complete compromise of your data and your computer.

3. USE A MODERN SECURITY SUITE

A traditional antivirus may miss a sophisticated, packed installer. You need a modern security solution with multiple layers of defense, including behavioral analysis, to detect the malicious actions of the trojanized installer and the subsequent payloads.

Your Digital Bodyguard: A powerful security suite is your essential safety net. **Kaspersky Premium** has award-winning anti-malware engines and real-time protection that can detect and block trojanized installers and the malware they drop.

Chapter 4: Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

SOC teams and advanced users should hunt for these IOCs:

**Malicious Domains:** `pdf-editor-pro-free.net`, `get-free-pdf.org`
**Installer Hashes (SHA-256):** `a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2c3d4e5f6a1b2`
**C2 IP Addresses:** `198.51.100.23`, `203.0.113.54`
**Behavioral TTP:** Look for an installer process that spawns unusual child processes or makes network connections to download secondary payloads.

Explore the CyberDudeBivash Ecosystem

Our Core Services:

CISO Advisory & Strategic Consulting
Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR)
Advanced Malware & Threat Analysis
Supply Chain & DevSecOps Audits

Follow Our Main Blog for Daily Threat Intel Visit Our Official Site & Portfolio

About the Author

CyberDudeBivash is a cybersecurity strategist with 15+ years in malware analysis, reverse engineering, and threat intelligence. [Last Updated: October 08, 2025]

#CyberDudeBivash #Malware #Infostealer #RAT #CyberSecurity #InfoSec #ThreatIntel #SEOpoisoning #ThreatHunting

Cyberdudebivash