{
  "family": "hooker",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "trojan",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\n\"Hooker\" refers to a category of highly invasive software—often classified as Spyware, HackTools, or Info Stealers—that utilizes deep Windows API hooking to intercept and manipulate communication between the operating system and running applications. While some legitimate security software uses these techniques, \"Hooker\" variants are specifically designed by threat actors to silently capture sensitive data, most notably functioning as advanced keyloggers and credential harvesters.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nMalicious Hooker utilities are typically deployed via targeted spear-phishing campaigns, hidden within trojanized software installers, or dropped by an initial access broker who has compromised the system.\n\nOnce executed, the malware leverages deep system access:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>API Hooking (`SetWindowsHookEx`):</strong> This is the defining characteristic. The malware injects a DLL into running processes and utilizes the `SetWindowsHookEx` API to insert a \"hook procedure\" into the message traffic of the system. This allows the malware to intercept hardware interrupts (like keystrokes or mouse clicks) before they reach the intended application.</li>\n<li><strong>Inline Hooking (Detours):</strong> More advanced variants may overwrite the beginning of specific API functions (like those used for network communication or file access) with a jump instruction, redirecting the execution flow to the malware's own code.</li>\n<li><strong>Data Exfiltration:</strong> By intercepting these low-level messages, the Hooker silently records passwords, chat logs, and banking information to encrypted, hidden files, which are later exfiltrated to a C2 server.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nThe detection of an unauthorized Hooker is a critical security incident. Because it intercepts data at the API level, it can capture passwords even if the user is interacting with a secure (HTTPS) website or application. The presence of this malware guarantees the compromise of any credential entered on the machine.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immediate Network Isolation:</strong> The highest priority is to disconnect the infected endpoint from the network to halt the active exfiltration of the intercepted data logs.</li>\n<li><strong>Global Credential Reset:</strong> It must be assumed that *all* passwords typed on the machine have been stolen. A mandatory, immediate reset of all associated enterprise credentials is required.</li>\n<li><strong>Complete Re-imaging:</strong> Due to the deep system hooking and DLL injection utilized by this malware, attempting to \"clean\" the machine manually is highly risky and often ineffective. A complete bare-metal wipe and re-image from a trusted baseline is necessary.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Spyware.Hooker",
    "Trojan.Keylogger.Hook",
    "HackTool.Hooker",
    "Win32/APIHook"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1056.001",
    "T1055.001",
    "T1115",
    "T1129"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:25:05Z",
  "type": "HackTool / Spyware (Keylogger)",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}