Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed particulars of a brand new botnet loader referred to as Aeternum C2 that makes use of a blockchain-based command-and-control (C2) infrastructure to make it resilient to takedown efforts.
“As a substitute of counting on conventional servers or domains for command-and-control, Aeternum shops its directions on the general public Polygon blockchain,” Qrator Labs stated in a report shared with The Hacker Information.
“This community is extensively utilized by decentralized functions, together with Polymarket, the world’s largest prediction market. This strategy makes Aeternum’s C2 infrastructure successfully everlasting and proof against conventional takedown strategies.”
This isn’t the primary time botnets have been discovered counting on blockchain for C2. In 2021, Google stated it took steps to disrupt a botnet often called Glupteba that makes use of the Bitcoin blockchain as a backup C2 mechanism to fetch the precise C2 server handle.
Particulars of Aeternum C2 first emerged in December 2025, when Outpost24’s KrakenLabs revealed {that a} risk actor by the title of LenAI was promoting the malware on underground boards for $200 that grants clients entry to a panel and a configured construct. For $4,000, clients had been allegedly promised your entire C++ codebase together with updates.
A local C++ loader accessible in each x32 and x64 builds, the malware works by writing instructions to be issued to the contaminated host to good contracts on the Polygon blockchain. The bots then learn these instructions by querying public distant process name (RPC) endpoints.
All of that is managed through the web-based panel, from the place clients can choose a wise contract, select a command kind, specify a payload URL and replace it. The command, which may goal all endpoints or a selected one, is written into the blockchain as a transaction, after which it turns into accessible to each compromised machine that is polling the community.
“As soon as a command is confirmed, it can’t be altered or eliminated by anybody aside from the pockets holder,” Qrator Labs stated. “The operator can handle a number of good contracts concurrently, each doubtlessly serving a distinct payload or perform, reminiscent of a clipper, a stealer, a RAT, or a miner.”
Based on a two-part analysis printed by Ctrl Alt Intel earlier this month, the C2 panel is carried out as a Subsequent.js internet software that enables operators to deploy good contracts to the Polygon blockchain. The good contracts include a perform that, when referred to as by the malware through the Polygon RPC, causes it to return the encrypted command that is subsequently decoded and run on the sufferer machines.
Apart from utilizing the blockchain to show it right into a takedown-resistant botnet, the malware packs in numerous anti-analysis options to increase the lifespan of infections. This contains checks to detect virtualized environments, along with equipping clients with the power to scan their builds through Kleenscan to make sure that they don’t seem to be flagged by antivirus distributors.
“The operational prices are negligible: $1 value of MATIC, the native token of the Polygon community, is sufficient for 100 to 150 command transactions,” the Czechian cybersecurity vendor stated. “The operator does not have to lease servers, register domains, or keep any infrastructure past a crypto pockets and an area copy of the panel.”
The risk actor has since tried to promote your entire toolkit for an asking value of $10,000, claiming an absence of time for assist and their involvement in one other venture. “I’ll promote your entire venture to 1 individual with permission for resale and business use, with all ‘rights,'” LenAI stated. “I may even give helpful suggestions/notes on improvement that I didn’t have time to implement.”
It is value noting that LenAI can be behind a second crimeware answer referred to as ErrTraffic that allows risk actors to automate ClickFix assaults by producing pretend glitches on compromised web sites to induce a false sense of urgency and deceive customers into following malicious directions.
The disclosure comes as Infrawatch printed particulars of an underground service that deploys devoted laptop computer {hardware} into American properties to co-opt the units right into a residential proxy community named DSLRoot that redirects malicious site visitors by way of them.
The {hardware} is designed to run a Delphi-based program referred to as DSLPylon that is outfitted with capabilities to enumerate supported modems on the community, in addition to remotely management the residential networking gear and Android units through an Android Debug Bridge (ADB) integration.
“Attribution evaluation identifies the operator as a Belarusian nationwide with residential presence in Minsk and Moscow,” Infrawatch stated. “DSLRoot is estimated to function roughly 300 energetic {hardware} units throughout 20+ U.S. states.”
The operator has been recognized as Andrei Holas (aka Andre Holas and Andrei Golas), with the service promoted on BlackHatWorld by a consumer working beneath the alias GlobalSolutions, claiming to supply bodily residential ADSL proxies on the market for $190 per thirty days for unrestricted entry. It is usually accessible for $990 for six months and $1,750 for annual subscriptions.
“DSLRoot’s customized software program offers automated distant administration of shopper modems (ARRIS/Motorola, Belkin, D-Hyperlink, ASUS) and Android units through ADB, enabling IP handle rotation and connectivity management,” the corporate famous. “The community operates with out authentication, permitting shoppers to route site visitors anonymously by way of U.S. residential IPs.”
