• Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
MUST READ

Microsoft and Cloudflare teamed up to dismantle the RaccoonO365 phishing service

 | 

DoJ resentenced former BreachForums admin to three years in prison

 | 

Apple backports fix for actively exploited CVE-2025-43300

 | 

New supply chain attack hits npm registry, compromising 40+ packages

 | 

Cybercrime group accessed Google Law Enforcement Request System (LERS)

 | 

China-linked Mustang Panda deploys advanced SnakeDisk USB worm

 | 

Insider breach at FinWise Bank exposes data of 689,000 AFF customers

 | 

Hackers steal millions of Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen customer records

 | 

Fairmont Federal Credit Union 2023 data breach impacted 187K people

 | 

UK ICO finds students behind majority of school data breaches

 | 

INC ransom group claimed the breach of Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance

 | 

SECURITY AFFAIRS MALWARE NEWSLETTER ROUND 62

 | 

Security Affairs newsletter Round 541 by Pierluigi Paganini – INTERNATIONAL EDITION

 | 

ShinyHunters Attack National Credit Information Center of Vietnam

 | 

FBI warns of Salesforce attacks by UNC6040 and UNC6395 groups

 | 

HybridPetya ransomware bypasses UEFI Secure Boot echoing Petya/NotPetya

 | 

Cisco fixes high-severity IOS XR flaws enabling image bypass and DoS

 | 

Samsung fixed actively exploited zero-day

 | 

UK train operator LNER (London North Eastern Railway) discloses a data breach

 | 

U.S. CISA adds Dassault Systèmes DELMIA Apriso flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

 | 
  • Home
  • Cyber Crime
  • Cyber warfare
  • APT
  • Data Breach
  • Deep Web
  • Digital ID
  • Hacking
  • Hacktivism
  • Intelligence
  • Internet of Things
  • Laws and regulations
  • Malware
  • Mobile
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Social Networks
  • Terrorism
  • ICS-SCADA
  • POLICIES
  • Contact me
  • Home
  • Breaking News
  • Cyber Crime
  • Malware
  • New versions of Chaos RAT target Windows and Linux systems

New versions of Chaos RAT target Windows and Linux systems

Pierluigi Paganini June 05, 2025

Acronis researchers reported that new Chaos RAT variants were employed in 2025 attacks against Linux and Windows systems.

Acronis TRU researchers discovered new Chaos RAT variants targeting Linux and Windows in recent attacks. Originally seen in 2022, Chaos RAT evolved in 2024, with fresh samples emerging in 2025. TRU also discovered a critical flaw in the RAT’s web panel that enables remote code execution. The latest variant appears to trick victims into downloading a fake Linux network troubleshooting tool, further expanding its infection methods.

“Developed in Golang, Chaos RAT offers cross-platform compatibility with Windows and Linux systems — another clear example of how useful legitimate tools can contain vulnerabilities and be repurposed for cybercriminal activities.” reads the report published by Acronis. “While overall use remains limited, recent samples confirm Chaos RAT is still active. Its low detection profile creates opportunities for espionage, data exfiltration, and establishing footholds for ransomware and other post-compromise operations.”

Chaos RAT is an open-source remote access tool (RAT) built in Golang, designed to work across both Windows and Linux systems. The RAT is inspired by tools like Cobalt Strike and Sliver. It includes an admin panel where attackers can create payloads, manage sessions, and control infected devices. While Golang-based malware is typically larger and slower than C++ versions, it offers easier cross-platform support and faster development, making it appealing to cybercriminals.

Chaos RAT

Chaos RAT, initially built for legitimate remote management, has been repurposed by threat actors due to its open-source nature. Though development began in 2017, it was first employed in real-world attacks in late 2022, mainly targeting Linux systems in crypto-mining campaigns. Its growing use highlights the need to understand its architecture, attack methods, and how to detect and defend against it.

The RAT often spreads through phishing emails with malicious links or attachments. Early attacks used cron jobs to keep updating payloads remotely, allowing attackers to deploy crypto miners or Chaos RAT without re-accessing the system. The RAT was mainly used for reconnaissance. In a recent case from India, a file named NetworkAnalyzer.tar.gz contained the RAT, disguised as a Linux network tool, suggesting that attackers used social engineering to trick the victim.

Chaos RAT offers a range of commands for system control and data theft. It can gather OS and user info, take screenshots, reboot or shut down the system, lock or sign out users (Windows only), browse and manage files (explore, upload, download, delete), and open URLs in the default browser. It supports both Windows and Linux, with some OS-specific features. These capabilities allow operators to control infected systems and exfiltrate data remotely.

Chaos RAT enables attackers to manage files, open reverse shells, and proxy network traffic, which are functions useful for spying, stealing data, or setting the stage for ransomware. Because it’s open-source, threat actors can easily tweak the code to avoid detection, making it harder to trace attacks or distinguish between cybercriminals and nation-state groups using the same tool.

“What starts as a developer’s tool can quickly become a threat actor’s instrument of choice. This Go-based RAT offers a simple web interface and powerful system controls across Windows and Linux, offering reverse shells, file manipulation and remote command execution on compromised systems.” concludes the report. “Chaos has been spotted in the wild and represents a growing issue in cybersecurity: The weaponization of open-source software. With rapid deployment capabilities, stealthy Linux targeting and flexible configuration, it’s a reminder that open source is a double-edged sword — and in the wrong hands, it can cut deep.“

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, malware)


facebook linkedin twitter

Chaos RAT Cybercrime Hacking hacking news information security news IT Information Security malware Pierluigi Paganini Security Affairs Security News

you might also like

Pierluigi Paganini September 17, 2025
Microsoft and Cloudflare teamed up to dismantle the RaccoonO365 phishing service
Read more
Pierluigi Paganini September 17, 2025
DoJ resentenced former BreachForums admin to three years in prison
Read more

leave a comment

newsletter

Subscribe to my email list and stay
up-to-date!

    recent articles

    Microsoft and Cloudflare teamed up to dismantle the RaccoonO365 phishing service

    Cyber Crime / September 17, 2025

    DoJ resentenced former BreachForums admin to three years in prison

    Cyber Crime / September 17, 2025

    Apple backports fix for actively exploited CVE-2025-43300

    Security / September 17, 2025

    New supply chain attack hits npm registry, compromising 40+ packages

    Malware / September 16, 2025

    Cybercrime group accessed Google Law Enforcement Request System (LERS)

    Security / September 16, 2025

    To contact me write an email to:

    Pierluigi Paganini :
    pierluigi.paganini@securityaffairs.co

    LEARN MORE

    QUICK LINKS

    • Home
    • Cyber Crime
    • Cyber warfare
    • APT
    • Data Breach
    • Deep Web
    • Digital ID
    • Hacking
    • Hacktivism
    • Intelligence
    • Internet of Things
    • Laws and regulations
    • Malware
    • Mobile
    • Reports
    • Security
    • Social Networks
    • Terrorism
    • ICS-SCADA
    • POLICIES
    • Contact me

    Copyright@securityaffairs 2024

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT