Loader

SmokeLoader

First seen: 2011-06 • Status: active

Currently Active Threat

SmokeLoader is like a delivery truck for malware - its job is to get other malware onto your computer. It's been around since 2011, making it one of the oldest active malware families. Criminals buy it to load ransomware, stealers, or banking trojans. It's really good at hiding from antivirus software.

Overview

SmokeLoader is one of the oldest and most persistent malware loaders still in active operation. It is sold on underground forums and used to download and execute other malware payloads. SmokeLoader is known for its modular architecture and sophisticated anti-analysis techniques.

Also Known As

Smoke Loader, Dofoil, Sharik

How It Spreads

  • • Phishing emails with malicious attachments
  • • Fake cracked software and keygens
  • • Malicious advertisements
  • • Exploit kits
  • • Other malware (as second-stage)

What It Does

  • • Downloads and executes other malware payloads
  • • Provides persistent access to infected systems
  • • Evades detection using multiple anti-analysis techniques
  • • Steals browser data and credentials (via plugins)
  • • Can deploy ransomware, stealers, or banking trojans
  • • Injects into legitimate processes

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Target Platforms

Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11

Detection Tips

  • • Monitor for process injection into explorer.exe
  • • Detect anti-VM and anti-sandbox checks
  • • Alert on connections to known SmokeLoader infrastructure
  • • Watch for unusual code injection patterns
  • • Monitor for download and execute behavior

MITRE ATT&CK Techniques

T1055, T1027, T1497, T1105, T1071.001

If You're Infected

  1. 1.

    Identify what payloads SmokeLoader has downloaded

  2. 2.

    Isolate infected system and begin malware analysis

  3. 3.

    Scan for additional malware (stealers, ransomware)

  4. 4.

    Check for lateral movement to other systems

  5. 5.

    Reset credentials if stealer payload detected

  6. 6.

    Block SmokeLoader C2 domains and IPs

Related Malware

Amadey, Icedid, Redline Stealer

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