Socks5Systemz

Socks5Systemz is a proxy botnet that infects devices to provide SOCKS5 proxy services, often used for anonymizing cybercriminal activities. It spreads via malware loaders like PrivateLoader and maintains resilience through advanced techniques like domain generation algorithms (DGA). Access to the proxy network is sold on platforms like Telegram for cryptocurrency.

Key Insights

Socks5Systemz is a botnet that turns infected devices into SOCKS5 proxies, allowing cybercriminals to hide their activities. It’s been around since at least 2016 and typically spreads through malware like PrivateLoader, Amadey, and SmokeLoader. Its design makes it highly flexible and persistent, which is why it’s remained a problem for so long.

How Does it Work?

Once a device is infected, it’s added to a network of proxies that criminals can use to route their traffic. The botnet uses a clever domain generation algorithm (DGA) to keep communicating with its command servers, making it hard to shut down. It also ensures it sticks around by setting itself up as a Windows service, like ContentDWSvc, so it keeps running even after a restart.

Global Reach and Infrastructure

Socks5Systemz’s servers are mainly based in Europe, in places like France, Sweden, and Bulgaria. However, most infections are reported in countries like India, Brazil, the U.S., South Africa, and Nigeria. Notably, it avoids infecting devices in Russia, which might hint at where its operators are based or where their interests lie.

Known Variants

At the moment, there aren’t any widely recognized variants of Socks5Systemz. That said, the way it keeps evolving—switching to new loaders or updating its infrastructure—shows that it’s constantly being tweaked. Keeping an eye on its activity is key to spotting any future versions or changes as they come up.

Mitigation Strategies

Monitor Network Activity: regularly analyze traffic for unusual connections or patterns, which could indicate botnet activity.
Update Security Tools: keep antivirus, endpoint protection, and system software up to date to detect and block malware loaders like PrivateLoader and Amadey.
Block Suspicious Traffic: implement firewall rules and DNS filtering to prevent connections to known malicious IPs and command-and-control (C2) domains.

Targeted Industries or Sectors

Socks5Systemz mainly goes after individual users, compromising their devices to use as proxies. While it doesn’t directly target specific industries, the devices it infects can end up being used in all sorts of malicious activities, like hiding the origins of attacks or bypassing restrictions. This means industries like finance, e-commerce, and even critical infrastructure could feel the impact indirectly.

Associated Threat Actors

There’s no specific group publicly tied to Socks5Systemz, but the way it operates suggests it’s run by cybercriminals focused on making money by selling proxy services. The fact that it avoids infecting devices in Russia might hint at a connection to operators based in that region or with ties to Russian-speaking cybercrime communities. Its use of sophisticated tools like domain generation algorithms (DGA) and loaders like PrivateLoader suggests a certain level of expertise behind the scenes.

References

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We can help you detect malware families and expose their hidden infrastructure blending into malicious networks and hosting providers.

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