Process Hollowing

Threat actors are weaponizing AI-themed lure documents to deliver a complex multi-stage infection chain culminating in AsyncRAT and a custom .NET RAT called clay_Client. The attack uses hidden LNK files inside compressed archives to initiate a chain of PowerShell scripts that extract, decrypt, and execute payloads from disguised PDF containers using AES-CBC, XOR, and GZip decompression. AutoHotkey scripts perform process hollowing into legitimate .NET Framework executables, while defense evasion includes adding Microsoft Defender exclusions and restoring disabled VBS execution. The final RAT provides full remote control with screen capture, input simulation, fileless assembly loading, and process injection capabilities.

A large-scale campaign abuses the legitimate ScreenConnect remote management tool, distributed via 90+ spoofed freeware download sites using SEO poisoning, to silently deploy AsyncRAT. The attack uses DLL sideloading via a Microsoft-signed install.exe binary, followed by a multi-stage loader chain involving PowerShell and VBScript scripts that disable Defender, bypass UAC, and ultimately inject AsyncRAT into RegAsm.exe via process hollowing. The campaign targets both consumers and corporate networks across multiple languages and regions.

A cybercrime campaign is targeting users of pirated media sites with a fake video player update that deploys a modified SilentCryptoMiner and a Remote Access Trojan (RAT). The malware utilizes DLL side-loading, DNS tunneling for initial check-ins, and a DGA for C2 communications, while employing a Watchdog component to ensure persistence via a rogue Google Update service.

2026-05-146 minANY.RUNhigh

An 18-month Agent Tesla campaign is targeting LATAM enterprises, particularly in Chile, using procurement-themed phishing lures. The attack chain employs a multi-stage loader protected by .NET Reactor 6.x, utilizing process hollowing into aspnet_compiler.exe to execute the credential-stealing payload entirely in memory. Stolen data is exfiltrated via cleartext FTP to compromised legitimate infrastructure.

2026-05-137 minHuntresshigh

A ClickFix social engineering campaign tricks users into executing a malicious command via a fake CAPTCHA on fraudulent background removal websites. This command uses the legacy finger.exe utility to download CastleLoader, an advanced Python-based loader that employs reflective PE loading and API evasion (such as ReplaceTextW hooking) to deploy NetSupport RAT and a custom .NET stealer (CastleStealer) for credential and data exfiltration.

2026-05-137 minANY.RUNhigh

A sophisticated phishing campaign is abusing Google Cloud Storage to host fake Google Drive login pages, harvesting credentials before delivering the Remcos RAT. The attack employs a complex, multi-stage execution chain using JavaScript, VBScript, and PowerShell to perform process hollowing on the legitimate RegSvcs.exe binary, allowing the malware to operate stealthily in memory.

2026-05-136 minAkamaicritical

Threat actor TeamPCP orchestrated a cascading supply chain attack by exploiting a misconfigured GitHub Actions workflow in Aqua Security's Trivy, harvesting credentials to compromise subsequent repositories including Checkmarx, LiteLLM, and Telnyx. The malicious packages deploy sophisticated, OS-specific remote access trojans (RATs) that utilize steganography, process hollowing, and ETW patching to evade detection while exfiltrating sensitive data.

2026-05-137 minPalo Alto Networkscritical

A suspected China-nexus threat actor tracked as CL-STA-1087 has been conducting a persistent espionage campaign against Southeast Asian military targets since 2020. The attackers utilize custom malware, including the AppleChris and MemFun backdoors, leveraging Dead Drop Resolvers (DDR) like Pastebin and Dropbox for C2 resolution alongside advanced evasion techniques like process hollowing and DLL hijacking.