The Gootloader malware resurgence showcases sophisticated tactics for evasion that allow it to avoid detection by automated security analysis tools. For over five years, it has utilized legal-themed SEO poisoning methods to lure victims.Operators deploy unique keywords across compromised sites, encouraging downloads of malicious ZIP files containing JScript payloads for ransomware delivery. Researchers at Huntress identified modifications in November 2025, revealing the malware’s innovative mechanisms, such as a gated content system and sophisticated ZIP archive manipulation techniques.
The campaign’s delivery strategy has evolved, utilizing the manipulation of ZIP files to present benign outputs to automated tools while deploying malicious content to users on Windows systems. The malware’s persistence method now also involves a chain of shortcuts that execute JScript payloads, enhancing its insidious nature. Overall, Gootloader’s operations have become increasingly complex, employing social engineering tactics that prey on users’ trust and exploiting vulnerabilities in automated analysis systems. The security community needs to remain vigilant against this persistent threat.
👉 Pročitaj original: Cyber Security News
