{
  "family": "lineage",
  "sample_count": 2,
  "category": "advanced_threat",
  "description": "PWS:Win32/Lineage (Password Stealer) is a highly targeted classification for malware designed specifically to steal credentials, account information, and valuable in-game assets from players of the popular MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game), 'Lineage' and its sequels. This malware highlights the lucrative nature of virtual economies, where stolen high-level accounts and items can be sold for real-world currency on gray markets (`T1005`).<br><br><b>Understanding Lineage (Game Password Stealers)</b><br>To an end-user, the infection is usually discovered when they find their game account emptied of gold and items, or entirely locked out. For threat analysts, Lineage represents specialized cybercrime. These stealers are highly focused, ignoring typical corporate data (like banking info) in favor of specific game clients, demonstrating the maturity and specialization of malware developers targeting gaming demographics.<br><br><b>Execution and Theft Mechanics</b><br>Lineage stealers are almost exclusively distributed via gaming forums, disguised as game 'cheats', 'bots', 'gold generators', or unofficial patches (`T1566.002`). Upon execution, the malware establishes persistence (Registry Run keys) and actively monitors running processes. When it detects the `lineage.exe` client launching, it utilizes API hooking (e.g., hooking `send()` and `recv()` functions in `ws2_32.dll` or keyboard logging via `SetWindowsHookEx`) to capture the username, password, and session tokens before they are encrypted and sent to the game server (`T1056.001`). This stolen data is then exfiltrated via HTTP/SMTP to the attacker.<br><br><b>Indicators of Compromise & Impact</b><br>The impact is personal financial loss (via virtual assets) and account compromise. Host-based IoCs include unexpected executables running from the `%Temp%` or `%AppData%` directories, often with names mimicking game components or popular cheat tools. EDR may flag anomalous API hooking or keylogging behaviors targeting the game client process. Network IoCs include outbound connections (often SMTP or plain HTTP) transmitting the stolen credentials to unknown IP addresses.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [],
  "enrichment_level": "expert-seo",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1056.001",
    "T1005",
    "T1566.002"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-06-09",
  "mitre_attack_detail": [
    {
      "id": "T1056.001",
      "name": "Input Capture: Keylogging (Capturing keystrokes when the game client is active)",
      "tactic": "Credential Access"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1005",
      "name": "Data from Local System (Searching for and stealing local game configuration/session files)",
      "tactic": "Collection"
    },
    {
      "id": "T1566.002",
      "name": "Phishing: Spearphishing Link (Distributing via fake game cheats/mods)",
      "tactic": "Initial Access"
    }
  ],
  "containment_steps": [
    "Immediately change the passwords for the Lineage account and the associated email address from a known clean device.",
    "Run a full system scan with updated antivirus/anti-malware software to locate and remove the persistent stealer executable.",
    "Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or OTP (One-Time Password) systems provided by the game publisher to mitigate future credential theft.",
    "Contact game support immediately; many MMOs have processes for restoring items stolen via account compromise if reported quickly."
  ],
  "what_to_avoid": [
    "Do not attempt to log into any sensitive accounts (banking, email) on the infected machine until it has been completely sanitized, as the keylogger may capture those as well.",
    "Avoid downloading unofficial patches, 'bots', or 'trainers' from untrusted gaming forums, as these are the primary vector for game stealers."
  ],
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}