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October 3, 2024

Introducing Real-Time Multi-Cloud Detection & Response Powered by AI

This blog announces the general availability of Microsoft Azure support for Darktrace / CLOUD, enabling real-time cloud detection and response across dynamic multi-cloud environments. Read more to discover how Darktrace is pioneering AI-led real-time cloud detection and response.
Inside the SOC
Darktrace cyber analysts are world-class experts in threat intelligence, threat hunting and incident response, and provide 24/7 SOC support to thousands of Darktrace customers around the globe. Inside the SOC is exclusively authored by these experts, providing analysis of cyber incidents and threat trends, based on real-world experience in the field.
Written by
Adam Stevens
Senior Director of Product, Cloud | Darktrace
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03
Oct 2024

We are delighted to announce the general availability of Microsoft Azure support for Darktrace / CLOUD, enabling real-time cloud detection and response across dynamic multi-cloud environments. Built on Self-Learning AI, Darktrace / CLOUD leverages Microsoft’s new virtual network flow logs (VNet flow) to offer an agentless-first approach that dramatically simplifies detection and response within Azure, unifying cloud-native security with Darktrace’s innovative ActiveAI Security Platform.

As organizations increasingly adopt multi-cloud architectures, the need for advanced, real-time threat detection and response is critical to keep pace with evolving cloud threats. Security teams face significant challenges, including increased complexity, limited visibility, and siloed tools. The dynamic nature of multi-cloud environments introduces ever-changing blind spots, while traditional security tools struggle to provide real-time insights, often offering static snapshots of risk. Additionally, cloud security teams frequently operate in isolation from SOC teams, leading to fragmented visibility and delayed responses. This lack of coordination, especially in hybrid environments, hinders effective threat detection and response. Compounding these challenges, current security solutions are split between agent-based and agentless approaches, with agentless solutions often lacking real-time awareness and agent-based options adding complexity and scalability concerns. Darktrace / CLOUD helps to solve these challenges with real-time detection and response designed specifically for dynamic cloud environments like Azure and AWS.

Pioneering AI-led real-time cloud detection & response

Darktrace has been at the forefront of real-time detection and response for over a decade, continually pushing the boundaries of AI-driven cybersecurity. Our Self-Learning AI uniquely positions Darktrace with the ability to automatically understand and instantly adapt to changing cloud environments. This is critical in today’s landscape, where cloud infrastructures are highly dynamic and ever-changing.  

Built on years of market-leading network visibility, Darktrace / CLOUD understands ‘normal’ for your unique business across clouds and networks to instantly reveal known, unknown, and novel cloud threats with confidence. Darktrace Self-Learning AI continuously monitors activity across cloud assets, containers, and users, and correlates it with detailed identity and network context to rapidly detect malicious activity. Platform-native identity and network monitoring capabilities allow Darktrace / CLOUD to deeply understand normal patterns of life for every user and device, enabling instant, precise and proportionate response to abnormal behavior - without business disruption.

Leveraging platform-native Autonomous Response, AI-driven behavioral containment neutralizes malicious activity with surgical accuracy while preventing disruption to cloud infrastructure or services. As malicious behavior escalates, Darktrace correlates thousands of data points to identify and instantly respond to unusual activity by blocking specific connections and enforcing normal behavior.

Figure 1: AI-driven behavioral containment neutralizes malicious activity with surgical accuracy while preventing disruption to cloud infrastructure or services.

Unparalleled agentless visibility into Azure

As a long-term trusted partner of Microsoft, Darktrace leverages Azure VNet flow logs to provide agentless, high-fidelity visibility into cloud environments, ensuring comprehensive monitoring without disrupting workflows. By integrating seamlessly with Azure, Darktrace / CLOUD continues to push the envelope of innovation in cloud security. Our Self-learning AI not only improves the detection of traditional and novel threats, but also enhances real-time response capabilities and demonstrates our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, AI-powered multi-cloud security solutions.

  • Integration with Microsoft Virtual network flow logs for enhanced visibility
    Darktrace / CLOUD integrates seamlessly with Azure to provide agentless, high-fidelity visibility into cloud environments. VNet flow logs capture critical network traffic data, allowing Darktrace to monitor Azure workloads in real time without disrupting existing workflows. This integration significantly reduces deployment time by 95%1 and cloud security operational costs by up to 80%2 compared to traditional agent-based solutions. Organizations benefit from enhanced visibility across dynamic cloud infrastructures, scaling security measures effortlessly while minimizing blind spots, particularly in ephemeral resources or serverless functions.
  • High-fidelity agentless deployment
    Agentless deployment allows security teams to monitor and secure cloud environments without installing software agents on individual workloads. By using cloud-native APIs like AWS VPC flow logs or Azure VNet flow logs, security teams can quickly deploy and scale security measures across dynamic, multi-cloud environments without the complexity and performance overhead of agents. This approach delivers real-time insights, improving incident detection and response while reducing disruptions. For organizations, agentless visibility simplifies cloud security management, lowers operational costs, and minimizes blind spots, especially in ephemeral resources or serverless functions.
  • Real-time visibility into cloud assets and architectures
    With real-time Cloud Asset Enumeration and Dynamic Architecture Modeling, Darktrace / CLOUD generates up-to-date architecture diagrams, giving SecOps and DevOps teams a unified view of cloud infrastructures. This shared context enhances collaboration and accelerates threat detection and response, especially in complex environments like Kubernetes. Additionally, Cyber AI Analyst automates the investigation process, correlating data across networks, identities, and cloud assets to save security teams valuable time, ensuring continuous protection and efficient cloud migrations.
Figure 2: Real-time visibility into Azure assets and architectures built from network, configuration and identity and access roles.

Unified multi-cloud security at scale

As organizations increasingly adopt multi-cloud strategies, the complexity of managing security across different cloud providers introduces gaps in visibility. Darktrace / CLOUD simplifies this by offering agentless, real-time monitoring across multi-cloud environments. Building on our innovative approach to securing AWS environments, our customers can now take full advantage of robust real-time detection and response capabilities for Azure. Darktrace is one of the first vendors to leverage Microsoft’s virtual network flow logs to provide agentless deployment in Azure, enabling unparalleled visibility without the need for installing agents. In addition, Darktrace / CLOUD offers automated Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) that continuously assesses cloud configurations against industry standards.  Security teams can identify and prioritize misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and policy violations in real-time. These capabilities give security teams a complete, live understanding of their cloud environments and help them focus their limited time and resources where they are needed most.

This approach offers seamless integration into existing workflows, reducing configuration efforts and enabling fast, flexible deployment across cloud environments. By extending its capabilities across multiple clouds, Darktrace / CLOUD ensures that no blind spots are left uncovered, providing holistic, multi-cloud security that scales effortlessly with your cloud infrastructure. diagrams, visualizes cloud assets, and prioritizes risks across cloud environments.

Figure 3: Unified view of AWS and Azure cloud posture and compliance over time.

The future of cloud security: Real-time defense in an unpredictable world

Darktrace / CLOUD’s support for Microsoft Azure, powered by Self-Learning AI and agentless deployment, sets a new standard in multi-cloud security. With real-time detection and autonomous response, organizations can confidently secure their Azure environments, leveraging innovation to stay ahead of the constantly evolving threat landscape. By combining Azure VNet flow logs with Darktrace’s AI-driven platform, we can provide customers with a unified, intelligent solution that transforms how security is managed across the cloud.

Unlock advanced cloud protection

Darktrace / CLOUD solution brief screenshot

Download the Darktrace / CLOUD solution brief to discover how autonomous, AI-driven defense can secure your environment in real-time.

  • Achieve 60% more accurate detection of unknown and novel cloud threats.
  • Respond instantly with autonomous threat response, cutting response time by 90%.
  • Streamline investigations with automated analysis, improving ROI by 85%.
  • Gain a 30% boost in cloud asset visibility with real-time architecture modeling.
  • Learn More:

    References

    1. Based on internal research and customer data

    2. Based on internal research

    Inside the SOC
    Darktrace cyber analysts are world-class experts in threat intelligence, threat hunting and incident response, and provide 24/7 SOC support to thousands of Darktrace customers around the globe. Inside the SOC is exclusively authored by these experts, providing analysis of cyber incidents and threat trends, based on real-world experience in the field.
    Written by
    Adam Stevens
    Senior Director of Product, Cloud | Darktrace

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    January 9, 2026

    Maduro Arrest Used as a Lure to Deliver Backdoor

    maduro arrest used as lure to deliver backdoorDefault blog imageDefault blog image

    Introduction

    Threat actors frequently exploit ongoing world events to trick users into opening and executing malicious files. Darktrace security researchers recently identified a threat group using reports around the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolàs Maduro on January 3, 2025, as a lure to deliver backdoor malware.

    Technical Analysis

    While the exact initial access method is unknown, it is likely that a spear-phishing email was sent to victims, containing a zip archive titled “US now deciding what’s next for Venezuela.zip”. This file included an executable named “Maduro to be taken to New York.exe” and a dynamic-link library (DLL), “kugou.dll”.  

    The binary “Maduro to be taken to New York.exe” is a legitimate binary (albeit with an expired signature) related to KuGou, a Chinese streaming platform. Its function is to load the DLL “kugou.dll” via DLL search order. In this instance, the expected DLL has been replaced with a malicious one with the same name to load it.  

    DLL called with LoadLibraryW.
    Figure 1: DLL called with LoadLibraryW.

    Once the DLL is executed, a directory is created C:\ProgramData\Technology360NB with the DLL copied into the directory along with the executable, renamed as “DataTechnology.exe”. A registry key is created for persistence in “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Lite360” to run DataTechnology.exe --DATA on log on.

     Registry key added for persistence.
    Figure 2. Registry key added for persistence.
    Folder “Technology360NB” created.
    Figure 3: Folder “Technology360NB” created.

    During execution, a dialog box appears with the caption “Please restart your computer and try again, or contact the original author.”

    Message box prompting user to restart.
    Figure 4. Message box prompting user to restart.

    Prompting the user to restart triggers the malware to run from the registry key with the command --DATA, and if the user doesn't, a forced restart is triggered. Once the system is reset, the malware begins periodic TLS connections to the command-and-control (C2) server 172.81.60[.]97 on port 443. While the encrypted traffic prevents direct inspection of commands or data, the regular beaconing and response traffic strongly imply that the malware has the ability to poll a remote server for instructions, configuration, or tasking.

    Conclusion

    Threat groups have long used geopolitical issues and other high-profile events to make malicious content appear more credible or urgent. Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, organizations have been repeatedly targeted with spear-phishing emails using subject lines related to the ongoing conflict, including references to prisoners of war [1]. Similarly, the Chinese threat group Mustang Panda frequently uses this tactic to deploy backdoors, using lures related to the Ukrainian war, conventions on Tibet [2], the South China Sea [3], and Taiwan [4].  

    The activity described in this blog shares similarities with previous Mustang Panda campaigns, including the use of a current-events archive, a directory created in ProgramData with a legitimate executable used to load a malicious DLL and run registry keys used for persistence. While there is an overlap of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), there is insufficient information available to confidently attribute this activity to a specific threat group. Users should remain vigilant, especially when opening email attachments.

    Credit to Tara Gould (Malware Research Lead)
    Edited by Ryan Traill (Analyst Content Lead)

    Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

    172.81.60[.]97
    8f81ce8ca6cdbc7d7eb10f4da5f470c6 - US now deciding what's next for Venezuela.zip
    722bcd4b14aac3395f8a073050b9a578 - Maduro to be taken to New York.exe
    aea6f6edbbbb0ab0f22568dcb503d731  - kugou.dll

    References

    [1] https://cert.gov.ua/article/6280422  

    [2] https://www.ibm.com/think/x-force/hive0154-mustang-panda-shifts-focus-tibetan-community-deploy-pubload-backdoor

    [3] https://www.ibm.com/think/x-force/hive0154-targeting-us-philippines-pakistan-taiwan

    [4] https://www.ibm.com/think/x-force/hive0154-targeting-us-philippines-pakistan-taiwan

    Continue reading
    About the author
    Tara Gould
    Malware Research Lead

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    January 9, 2026

    Under Medusa’s Gaze: How Darktrace Uncovers RMM Abuse in Ransomware Campaigns

    madusa ransomwareDefault blog imageDefault blog image

    What is Medusa Ransomware in 2025?

    In 2025, the Medusa Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) emerged as one of the top 10 most active ransomware threat actors [1]. Its growing impact prompted a joint advisory from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) [3]. As of January 2026, more than 500 organizations have fallen victim to Medusa ransomware [2].

    Darktrace previously investigated Medusa in a 2024 blog, but the group’s rapid expansion and new intelligence released in late 2025 has lead Darktrace’s Threat Research team to  investigate further. Recent findings include Microsoft’s research on Medusa actors exploiting a vulnerability in Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT License Servlet (CVE-2025-10035)[4] and Zencec’s report on Medusa’s abuse of flaws in SimpleHelp’s remote support software (CVE-2024-57726, CVE-2024-57727, CVE-2024-57728) [5].

    Reports vary on when Medusa first appeared in the wild. Some sources mention June 2021 as the earliest sightings, while others point to late 2022, when its developers transitioned to the RaaS model, as the true beginning of its operation [3][11].

    Madusa Ransomware history and background

    The group behind Medusa is known by several aliases, including Storm-1175 and Spearwing [4] [7]. Like its mythological namesake, Medusa has many “heads,” collaborating with initial access brokers (IABs) and, according to some evidence, affiliating with Big Game Hunting (BGH) groups such as Frozen Spider, as well as the cybercriminal group UNC7885 [3][6][13].

    Use of Cyrillic in its scripts, activity on Russian-language cybercrime forums, slang unique to Russian criminal subcultures, and avoidance of targets in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries suggest that Medusa operates from Russia or an allied state [11][12].

    Medusa ransomware should not be confused with other similarly named malware, such as the Medusa Android Banking Trojan, the Medusa Botnet/Medusa Stealer, or MedusaLocker ransomware. It is easily distinguishable from these variants because it appends the extension .MEDUSA to encrypted files and drops the ransom note !!!READ_ME_MEDUSA!!!.txt on compromised systems [8].

    Who does Madusa Ransomware target?

    The group appears to show little restraint, indiscriminately attacking organizations across all sectors, including healthcare, and is known to employ triple extortion tactics whereby sensitive data is encrypted, victims are threatened with data leaks, and additional pressure is applied through DDoS attacks or contacting the victim’s customers, rather than the more common double extortion model [13].

    Madusa Ransomware TTPs

    To attain initial access, Medusa actors typically purchase access to already compromised devices or accounts via IABs that employ phishing, credential stuffing, or brute-force attacks, and also target vulnerable or misconfigured Internet-facing systems.

    In addition to the GoAnywhere MFT and SimpleHelp RMM flaws, other vulnerabilities exploited in Medusa attacks include ConnectWise ScreenConnect RMM (CVE-2024-1709), Microsoft Exchange Server (CVE-2021-34473, also known as ProxyShell), and Fortinet Enterprise Management Servers (CVE-2023-48788) [18][19][20][21][24][25].

    Darktrace’s Coverage of Medusa Ransomware

    Between December 2023 and November 2025, Darktrace observed multiple cases of file encryption related to Medusa ransomware across its customer base. When enabled, Darktrace’s Autonomous Response capability intervened early in the attack chain, blocking malicious activity before file encryption could begin.

    Some of the affected were based in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), others in the Americas (AMS), and the remainder in the Asia-Pacific and Japan region. The most impacted sectors were financial services and the automotive industry, followed by healthcare, and finally organizations in arts, entertainment and recreation, ICT, and manufacturing.

    Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tool abuse

    In most customer environments where Medusa file encryption attempts were observed, and in one case where the compromise was contained before encryption, unusual external HTTP connections associated with JWrapper were also detected. JWrapper is a legitimate tool designed to simplify the packaging, distribution, and management of Java applications, enabling the creation of executables that run across different operating systems. Many of the destination IP addresses involved in this activity were linked to SimpleHelp servers or associated with Atera.

    Medusa actors appear to favor RMM tools such as SimpleHelp. Unpatched or misconfigured SimpleHelp RMM servers can serve as an initial access vector to the victims’ infrastructure.  After gaining access to SimpleHelp management servers, the threat actors edit server configuration files to redirect existing SimpleHelp RMM agents to communicate with unauthorized servers under their control.

    The SimpleHelp tool is not only used for command-and-control (C2) and enabling persistence but is also observed during lateral movement within the network, downloading additional attack tools, data exfiltration, and even ransomware binary execution. Other legitimate remote access tools abused by Medusa in a similar manner to evade detection include Atera, AnyDesk, ScreenConnect, eHorus, N-able, PDQ Deploy/Inventory, Splashtop, TeamViewer, NinjaOne, Navicat, and MeshAgent [4][5][15][16][17].

    Data exfiltration

    Another correlation among Darktrace customers affected by Medusa was observed during the data exfiltration phase. In several environments, data was exfiltrated to the endpoints erp.ranasons[.]com or pruebas.pintacuario[.]mx (143.110.243[.]154, 144.217.181[.]205) over ports 443, 445, and 80. erp.ranasons[.]com was seemingly active between November 2024 and September 2025, while pruebas.pintacuario[.]mx was seen from November 2024 to March 2025. Evidence suggests that pruebas.pintacuario[.]mx previously hosted a SimpleHelp server [22][23].

    Apart from RMM tools, Medusa is also known to use Rclone and Robocopy for data exfiltration [3][19]. During one Medusa compromise detected in mid-2024, the customer’s data was exfiltrated to external destinations associated with the Ngrok proxy service using an SSH-2.0-rclone client.

    Medusa Compromise Leveraging SimpleHelp

    In Q4 2025, Darktrace assisted a European company impacted by Medusa ransomware. The organization had partial Darktrace / NETWORK coverage and had configured Darktrace’s Autonomous Response capability to require manual confirmation for all actions. Despite these constraints, data received through the customer’s security integration with CrowdStrike Falcon enabled Darktrace analysts to reconstruct the attack chain, although the initial access vector remains unclear due to limited visibility.

    In late September 2025, a device out of the scope of Darktrace's visibility began scanning the network and using RDP, NTLM/SMB, DCE_RPC, and PowerShell for lateral movement.

    CrowdStrike “Defense Evasion: Disable or Modify Tools” alerts related to a suspicious driver (c:\windows\[0-9a-b]{4}.exe) and a PDQ Deploy executable (share=\\<device_hostname>\ADMIN$ file=AdminArsenal\PDQDeployRunner\service-1\exec\[0-9a-b]{4}.exe) suggest that the attackers used the Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) technique to terminate antivirus processes on network devices, leveraging tools such as KillAV or AbyssWorker along with the PDQ Software Deployment solution [19][26].

    A few hours later, Darktrace observed the same device that had scanned the network writing Temp\[a-z]{2}.exe over SMB to another device on the same subnet. According to data from the CrowdStrike alert, this executable was linked to an RMM application located at C:\Users\<compromised_user>\Documents\[a-z]{2}.exe. The same compromised user account later triggered a CrowdStrike “Command and Control: Remote Access Tools” alert when accessing C:\ProgramData\JWrapper-Remote Access\JWrapper-Remote Access Bundle-[0-9]{11}\JWrapperTemp-[0-9]{10}-[0-9]{1}-app\bin\windowslauncher.exe [27].

    An executable file associated with the SimpleHelp RMM tool being written to other devices using the SMB protocol, as detected by Darktrace.
    Figure 1: An executable file associated with the SimpleHelp RMM tool being written to other devices using the SMB protocol, as detected by Darktrace.

    Soon after, the destination device and multiple other network devices began establishing connections to 31.220.45[.]120 and 213.183.63[.]41, both of which hosted malicious SimpleHelp RMM servers. These C2 connections continued for more than 20 days after the initial compromise.

    CrowdStrike integration alerts for the execution of robocopy . "c:\windows\\" /COPY:DT /E /XX /R:0 /W:0 /NP /XF RunFileCopy.cmd /IS /IT commands on several Windows servers, suggested that this utility was likely used to stage files in preparation for data exfiltration [19].

    Around two hours later, Darktrace detected another device connecting to the attacker’s SimpleHelp RMM servers. This internal server had ‘doc’ in its hostname, indicating it was likely a file server. It was observed downloading documents from another internal server over SMB and uploading approximately 70 GiB of data to erp.ranasons[.]com (143.110.243[.]154:443).

    Data uploaded to erp.ranasons[.]com and the number of model alerts from the exfiltrating device, represented by yellow and orange dots.
    Figure 2: Data uploaded to erp.ranasons[.]com and the number of model alerts from the exfiltrating device, represented by yellow and orange dots.

    Darktrace’s Cyber AI Analyst autonomously investigated the unusual connectivity, correlating the separate C2 and data exfiltration events into a single incident, providing greater visibility into the ongoing attack.

    Cyber AI Analyst identified a file server making C2 connections to an attacker-controlled SimpleHelp server (213.183.63[.]41) and exfiltrating data to erp.ranasons[.]com.
    Figure 3: Cyber AI Analyst identified a file server making C2 connections to an attacker-controlled SimpleHelp server (213.183.63[.]41) and exfiltrating data to erp.ranasons[.]com.
    The same file server that connected to 213.183.63[.]41 and exfiltrated data to erp.ranasons[.]com was also observed attempting to connect to an IP address associated with Moscow, Russia (193.37.69[.]154:7070).
    Figure 4: The same file server that connected to 213.183.63[.]41 and exfiltrated data to erp.ranasons[.]com was also observed attempting to connect to an IP address associated with Moscow, Russia (193.37.69[.]154:7070).

    One of the devices connecting to the attacker's SimpleHelp RMM servers was also observed downloading 35 MiB from [0-9]{4}.filemail[.]com. Filemail, a legitimate file-sharing service, has reportedly been abused by Medusa actors to deliver additional malicious payloads [11].

    A device controlled remotely via SimpleHelp downloading additional tooling from the Filemail file-sharing service.
    Figure 5: A device controlled remotely via SimpleHelp downloading additional tooling from the Filemail file-sharing service.

    Finally, integration alerts related to the ransomware binary, such as c:\windows\system32\gaze.exe and <device_hostname>\ADMIN$ file=AdminArsenal\PDQDeployRunner\service-1\exec\gaze.exe, along with “!!!READ_ME_MEDUSA!!!.txt” ransom notes were observed on network devices. This indicates that file encryption in this case was most likely carried out directly on the victim hosts rather than via the SMB protocol [3].

    Conclusion

    Threat actors, including nation-state actors and ransomware groups like Medusa, have long abused legitimate commercial RMM tools, typically used by system administrators for remote monitoring, software deployment, and device configuration, instead of relying on remote access trojans (RATs).

    Attackers employ existing authorized RMM tools or install new remote administration software to enable persistence, lateral movement, data exfiltration, and ingress tool transfer. By mimicking legitimate administrative behavior, RMM abuse enables attackers to evade detection, as security software often implicitly trusts these tools, allowing attackers to bypass traditional security controls [28][29][30].

    To mitigate such risks, organizations should promptly patch publicly exposed RMM servers and adopt anomaly-based detection solutions, like Darktrace / NETWORK, which can distinguish legitimate administrative activity from malicious behavior, applying rapid response measures through its Autonomous Response capability to stop attacks in their tracks.

    Darktrace delivers comprehensive network visibility and Autonomous Response capabilities, enabling real-time detection of anomalous activity and rapid mitigation, even if an organization fall under Medusa’s gaze.

    Credit to Signe Zaharka (Principal Cyber Analyst) and Emma Foulger (Global Threat Research Operations Lead

    Edited by Ryan Traill (Analyst Content Lead)

    Appendices

    List of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

    IoC - Type - Description + Confidence + Time Observed

    185.108.129[.]62 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - March 7, 2023

    185.126.238[.]119 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - November 26-27, 2024

    213.183.63[.]41 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - November 28, 2024 - Sep 30, 2025

    213.183.63[.]42 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - July 4 -9 , 2024

    31.220.45[.]120 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - September 12 - Oct 20 , 2025

    91.92.246[.]110 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - May 24, 2024

    45.9.149[.]112:15330 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - June 21, 2024

    89.36.161[.]12 IP address Malicious SimpleHelp server observed during Medusa attacks (High confidence) - June 26-28, 2024

    193.37.69[.]154:7070 IP address Suspicious RU IP seen on a device being controlled via SimpleHelp and exfiltrating data to a Medusa related endpoint - September 30 - October 20, 2025

    erp.ranasons[.]com·143.110.243[.]154 Hostname Data exfiltration destination - November 27, 2024 - September 30, 2025

    pruebas.pintacuario[.]mx·144.217.181[.]205 - Hostname Data exfiltration destination - November 27, 2024  -  March 26, 2025

    lirdel[.]com · 44.235.83[.]125/a.msi (1b9869a2e862f1e6a59f5d88398463d3962abe51e19a59) File & hash Atera related file downloaded with PowerShell - June 20, 2024

    wizarr.manate[.]ch/108.215.180[.]161:8585/$/1dIL5 File Suspicious file observed on one of the devices exhibiting unusual activity during a Medusa compromise - February 28, 2024

    !!!READ_ME_MEDUSA!!!.txt" File - Ransom note

    *.MEDUSA - File extension        File extension added to encrypted files

    gaze.exe – File - Ransomware binary

    Darktrace Model Coverage

    Darktrace / NETWORK model detections triggered during connections to attacker controlled SimpleHelp servers:

    Anomalous Connection/Anomalous SSL without SNI to New External

    Anomalous Connection/Multiple Connections to New External UDP Port

    Anomalous Connection/New User Agent to IP Without Hostname

    Anomalous Connection/Rare External SSL Self-Signed

    Anomalous Connection/Suspicious Self-Signed SSL

    Anomalous File/EXE from Rare External Location

    Anomalous Server Activity/Anomalous External Activity from Critical Network Device

    Anomalous Server Activity/New User Agent from Internet Facing System

    Anomalous Server Activity/Outgoing from Server

    Anomalous Server Activity/Rare External from Server

    Compromise/High Volume of Connections with Beacon Score

    Compromise/Large Number of Suspicious Failed Connections

    Compromise/Ransomware/High Risk File and Unusual SMB

    Device/New User Agent

    Unusual Activity/Unusual External Data to New Endpoint

    Unusual Activity/Unusual External Data Transfer

    Darktrace / NETWORK Model Detections during the September/October 2025 Medusa attack:

    Anomalous Connection / Data Sent to Rare Domain

    Anomalous Connection / Download and Upload

    Anomalous Connection / Low and Slow Exfiltration

    Anomalous Connection / New User Agent to IP Without Hostname

    Anomalous Connection / Uncommon 1 GiB Outbound

    Anomalous Connection / Unusual Admin RDP Session

    Anomalous Connection / Unusual Incoming Long Remote Desktop Session

    Anomalous Connection / Unusual Long SSH Session

    Anomalous File / EXE from Rare External Location

    Anomalous File / Internal/Unusual Internal EXE File Transfer

    Anomalous Server Activity / Anomalous External Activity from Critical Network Device

    Anomalous Server Activity / Outgoing from Server

    Anomalous Server Activity / Rare External from Server

    Compliance / Default Credential Usage

    Compliance / High Priority Compliance Model Alert

    Compliance / Outgoing NTLM Request from DC

    Compliance / Possible Unencrypted Password File On Server

    Compliance / Remote Management Tool On Server

    Compromise / Large Number of Suspicious Failed Connections

    Compromise / Large Number of Suspicious Successful Connections

    Compromise / Ransomware/High Risk File and Unusual SMB

    Compromise / Suspicious Beaconing Behaviour

    Compromise / Suspicious HTTP and Anomalous Activity

    Compromise / Sustained SSL or HTTP Increase

    Compromise / Sustained TCP Beaconing Activity To Rare Endpoint

    Device / ICMP Address Scan

    Device / Increase in New RPC Services

    Device / Initial Attack Chain Activity

    Device / Large Number of Model Alert

    Device / Large Number of Model Alerts from Critical Network Device

    Device / Lateral Movement and C2 Activity

    Device / Multiple C2 Model Alert

    Device / Network Scan

    Device / Possible SMB/NTLM Reconnaissance

    Device / Spike in LDAP Activity

    Device / Suspicious Network Scan Activity

    Device / Suspicious SMB Scanning Activity

    Security Integration / High Severity Integration Incident

    Security Integration / Low Severity Integration Incident

    Unusual Activity / Enhanced Unusual External Data Transfer

    Unusual Activity / Internal Data Transfer

    Unusual Activity / Unusual External Activity

    Unusual Activity / Unusual External Data to New Endpoint

    Unusual Activity / Unusual External Data Transfer

    User / New Admin Credentials on Server

    Autonomous Response Actions

    Antigena / Network/External Threat/Antigena File then New Outbound Block

    Antigena / Network/External Threat/Antigena Ransomware Block

    Antigena / Network/External Threat/Antigena Suspicious Activity Block

    Antigena / Network/External Threat/Antigena Suspicious File Block

    Antigena / Network/Insider Threat/Antigena Internal Anomalous File Activity

    Antigena / Network/Insider Threat/Antigena Internal Data Transfer Block

    Antigena / Network/Insider Threat/Antigena Large Data Volume Outbound Block

    Antigena / Network/Insider Threat/Antigena Network Scan Block

    Antigena / Network/Insider Threat/Antigena Unusual Privileged User Activities Block

    Antigena / Network/Significant Anomaly/Antigena Alerts Over Time Block

    Antigena / Network/Significant Anomaly/Antigena Controlled and Model Alert

    Antigena / Network/Significant Anomaly/Antigena Enhanced Monitoring from Server Block

    Antigena / Network/Significant Anomaly/Antigena Significant Server Anomaly Block

    Antigena / Network/Significant Anomaly/Repeated Antigena Alerts

    MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

    Technique Name, Tactic, ID, Sub-Technique

    Application Layer Protocol , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1071

    Automated Collection , COLLECTION , T1119

    Automated Exfiltration , EXFILTRATION , T1020

    Brute Force , CREDENTIAL ACCESS , T1110

    Client Configurations , RECONNAISSANCE , T1592.004 , T1592

    Cloud Accounts , DEFENSE EVASION ,  PERSISTENCE ,  PRIVILEGE ESCALATION ,  INITIAL ACCESS , T1078.004 , T1078

    Command-Line Interface , EXECUTION ICS , T0807

    Credential Stuffing , CREDENTIAL ACCESS , T1110.004 , T1110

    Data Encrypted for Impact , IMPACT , T1486

    Data from Network Shared Drive , COLLECTION , T1039

    Data Obfuscation , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1001

    Data Staged , COLLECTION , T1074

    Data Transfer Size Limits , EXFILTRATION , T1030

    Default Accounts , DEFENSE EVASION ,  PERSISTENCE ,  PRIVILEGE ESCALATION ,  INITIAL ACCESS , T1078.001 , T1078

    Default Credentials , LATERAL MOVEMENT ICS , T0812

    Distributed Component Object Model , LATERAL MOVEMENT , T1021.003 , T1021

    Drive-by Compromise , INITIAL ACCESS ICS , T0817

    Drive-by Compromise , INITIAL ACCESS , T1189

    Email Collection , COLLECTION , T1114

    Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol , EXFILTRATION , T1048

    Exfiltration Over C2 Channel , EXFILTRATION , T1041

    Exfiltration to Cloud Storage , EXFILTRATION , T1567.002 , T1567

    Exploit Public-Facing Application , INITIAL ACCESS , T1190

    Exploitation for Privilege Escalation , PRIVILEGE ESCALATION , T0890

    Exploitation of Remote Services , LATERAL MOVEMENT , T1210

    Exploits , RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT , T1588.005 , T1588

    File and Directory Discovery , DISCOVERY , T1083

    File Deletion , DEFENSE EVASION , T1070.004 , T1070

    Graphical User Interface , EXECUTION ICS , T0823

    Ingress Tool Transfer , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1105

    Lateral Tool Transfer , LATERAL MOVEMENT , T1570

    LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning and SMB Relay , CREDENTIAL ACCESS ,  COLLECTION , T1557.001 , T1557

    Malware , RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT , T1588.001 , T1588

    Network Service Scanning , DISCOVERY , T1046

    Network Share Discovery , DISCOVERY , T1135

    Non-Application Layer Protocol , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1095

    Non-Standard Port , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1571

    One-Way Communication , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1102.003 , T1102

    Pass the Hash , DEFENSE EVASION ,  LATERAL MOVEMENT , T1550.002 , T1550

    Password Cracking , CREDENTIAL ACCESS , T1110.002 , T1110

    Password Guessing , CREDENTIAL ACCESS , T1110.001 , T1110

    Password Spraying , CREDENTIAL ACCESS , T1110.003 , T1110

    Program Download , LATERAL MOVEMENT ICS , T0843

    Program Upload , COLLECTION ICS , T0845

    Remote Access Software , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1219

    Remote Desktop Protocol , LATERAL MOVEMENT , T1021.001 , T1021

    Remote System Discovery , DISCOVERY , T1018

    Scanning IP Blocks , RECONNAISSANCE , T1595.001 , T1595

    Scheduled Transfer , EXFILTRATION , T1029

    Spearphishing Attachment , INITIAL ACCESS ICS , T0865

    Standard Application Layer Protocol , COMMAND AND CONTROL ICS , T0869

    Supply Chain Compromise , INITIAL ACCESS ICS , T0862

    User Execution , EXECUTION ICS , T0863

    Valid Accounts , DEFENSE EVASION ,  PERSISTENCE ,  PRIVILEGE ESCALATION ,  INITIAL ACCESS , T1078

    Valid Accounts , PERSISTENCE ICS ,  LATERAL MOVEMENT ICS , T0859

    Vulnerabilities , RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT , T1588.006 , T1588

    Vulnerability Scanning , RECONNAISSANCE , T1595.002 , T1595

    Web Protocols , COMMAND AND CONTROL , T1071.001 , T1071

    References

    1. https://www.intel471.com/blog/threat-hunting-case-study-medusa-ransomware

    2. https://www.ransomware.live/group/medusa

    3. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa25-071a

    4. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/10/06/investigating-active-exploitation-of-cve-2025-10035-goanywhere-managed-file-transfer-vulnerability/

    5. https://zensec.co.uk/blog/how-rmm-abuse-fuelled-medusa-dragonforce-attacks/

    6. https://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/threat-prevention/ransomware/medusa-ransomware-group/

    7. https://cyberpress.org/medusa-ransomware-attacks-spike-42/

    8. https://blog.barracuda.com/2025/02/25/medusa-ransomware-and-its-cybercrime-ecosystem

    10. https://www.cyberdaily.au/security/10021-more-monster-than-myth-unpacking-the-medusa-ransomware-operation

    11. https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/medusa-ransomware-escalation-new-leak-site/

    12. https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/businessinsights/medusa-ransomware-a-growing-threat-with-a-bold-online-presence

    13. https://redpiranha.net/news/medusa-ransomware-everything-you-need-know

    14.  https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/13/medusa_ransomware_infects_300_critical/

    15. https://www.s-rminform.com/latest-thinking/cyber-threat-advisory-medusa-and-the-simplehelp-vulnerability

    16. https://nagomisecurity.com/medusa-ransomware-us-cert-alert

    17. https://arcticwolf.com/resources/blog/arctic-wolf-observes-campaign-exploiting-simplehelp-rmm-software-for-initial-access/

    18. https://securityboulevard.com/2025/04/medusa-ransomware-inside-the-2025-resurgence-of-one-of-the-internets-most-aggressive-threats/

    19. https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/medusa-ransomware-hits-40-victims-in.html

    20.  https://www.quorumcyber.com/threat-intelligence/critical-alert-medusa-ransomware-threat-highlighted-by-fbi-cisa-and-ms-isac/

    21. https://brandefense.io/blog/stone-gaze-in-depth-analysis-of-medusa-ransomware/

    22. https://www.darktrace.com/ja/blog/2025-cyber-threat-landscape-darktraces-mid-year-review

    23. https://www.joesandbox.com/analysis/1576447/0/html

    24. https://blog.barracuda.com/2025/02/25/medusa-ransomware-and-its-cybercrime-ecosystem

    25. https://shassit.mit.edu/news/medusa-ransomware-attacks-on-gmail/

    26. https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/medusa-ransomware-uses-malicious-driver.html

    27. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa25-163a

    28. https://www.catonetworks.com/blog/cato-ctrl-investigation-of-rmm-tools/

    29. https://redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/trends/rmm-tools/

    30. https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/remote-monitoring-and-management-rmm-tooling-increasingly-attackers-first-choice

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    About the author
    Signe Zaharka
    Principal Cyber Analyst
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