Exaramel for Linux

Exaramel for Linux is a backdoor written in the Go Programming Language and compiled as a 64-bit ELF binary. The Windows version is tracked separately under Exaramel for Windows.[1]

ID: S0401
Type: MALWARE
Platforms: Linux
Version: 1.2
Created: 26 August 2019
Last Modified: 14 April 2021

Techniques Used

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1548 .001 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism: Setuid and Setgid

Exaramel for Linux can execute commands with high privileges via a specific binary with setuid functionality.[2]

Enterprise T1071 .001 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols

Exaramel for Linux uses HTTPS for C2 communications.[1][2]

Enterprise T1059 .004 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell

Exaramel for Linux has a command to execute a shell command on the system.[1][2]

Enterprise T1543 Create or Modify System Process

Exaramel for Linux has a hardcoded location that it uses to achieve persistence if the startup system is Upstart or System V and it is running as root.[2]

.002 Systemd Service

Exaramel for Linux has a hardcoded location under systemd that it uses to achieve persistence if it is running as root.[1][2]

Enterprise T1140 Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

Exaramel for Linux can decrypt its configuration file.[2]

Enterprise T1008 Fallback Channels

Exaramel for Linux can attempt to find a new C2 server if it receives an error.[2]

Enterprise T1070 .004 Indicator Removal: File Deletion

Exaramel for Linux can uninstall its persistence mechanism and delete its configuration file.[2]

Enterprise T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer

Exaramel for Linux has a command to download a file from and to a remote C2 server.[1][2]

Enterprise T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information

Exaramel for Linux uses RC4 for encrypting the configuration.[1][2]

Enterprise T1053 .003 Scheduled Task/Job: Cron

Exaramel for Linux uses crontab for persistence if it does not have root privileges.[1][2]

Enterprise T1033 System Owner/User Discovery

Exaramel for Linux can run whoami to identify the system owner.[2]

Groups That Use This Software

ID Name References
G0034 Sandworm Team

[1][2]

References