Interlock ransomware group pivots from user-driven attacks to zero-day exploitation, deploying AI-generated Slopoly backdoor to bypass security controls. Active campaign exploited Cisco FMC vulnerability for 36 days before patching.
Key technical details:
• CVE-2026-20131: Zero-day in Cisco Secure FMC enabling root RCE via crafted HTTP requests with serialized Java
• Slopoly backdoor: AI-generated PowerShell C2 framework with WebSocket persistence and real-time communication
• Hotta Killer: Custom utility exploiting CVE-2025-61155 in GameDriverX64.sys for kernel-level EDR disabling (T1685)
• Memory-resident Java webshells intercept HTTP requests, decrypt commands, execute in-memory to evade AV
• LOLBAS abuse: BITSAdmin, PowerShell, AZCopy for staging, lateral movement, and Azure Blob exfiltration (T1567.002)
Attack chain methodology:
• Phase 1: Shifted from drive-by downloads to direct infrastructure targeting via network edge vulnerabilities
• Phase 2-3: Volatility for credential extraction, Certipy for AD CS privilege escalation, NetSupport RAT deployment
• Phase 4-5: Advanced Port Scanner reconnaissance, RDP pivoting to DCs/Exchange, HAProxy nodes for exfiltration masking
• Phase 6: PsExec domain-wide ransomware deployment with .interlock extension and !__README__!.txt notes
Hunt for AZCopy activity to unfamiliar Azure destinations, NetSupport/AnyDesk from servers, and recurring /api/commands HTTP beaconing patterns.
#DFIR_Radar