{
  "family": "netshadow",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "trojan",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nNetShadow is a specialized Trojan and Info-stealer designed to covertly infiltrate Windows systems and harvest highly sensitive data, particularly focusing on capturing user keystrokes. Unlike generic droppers, NetShadow's primary objective is immediate espionage: it actively records keystrokes, captures screenshots, and exfiltrates user credentials and financial information to a remote command-and-control (C2) server controlled by the attackers.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nNetShadow is typically distributed via highly targeted spear-phishing campaigns containing weaponized attachments (e.g., deceptive PDF files or Office documents with malicious macros) or delivered as a secondary payload by an initial access broker.\n\nOnce executed, the malware focuses entirely on data aggregation:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Advanced Keylogging:</strong> NetShadow implements a sophisticated user-mode (and sometimes kernel-mode) keylogger. It hooks into the Windows API (e.g., `SetWindowsHookEx`) to intercept every keystroke before it reaches the intended application. This allows it to capture passwords entered into secure web portals, email clients, and VPN login screens.</li>\n<li><strong>Screen Capture and Clipboard Monitoring:</strong> To supplement the keylogging data, the trojan periodically captures screenshots of the victim's desktop and continuously monitors the Windows clipboard, instantly stealing copied passwords or cryptocurrency wallet addresses.</li>\n<li><strong>Data Exfiltration:</strong> The stolen data is aggregated into hidden, encrypted log files on the local disk. It is then periodically transmitted back to the C2 server over standard web ports (HTTPS) or via SMTP (email) to evade deep packet inspection.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nA NetShadow infection is a critical security breach resulting in immediate and ongoing data loss. The exfiltrated credentials can be used to compromise the user's personal accounts, pivot laterally across the corporate network, or access sensitive cloud infrastructure without triggering brute-force alerts.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immediate Isolation:</strong> Sever the affected machine's network connection immediately to halt any active or pending data exfiltration.</li>\n<li><strong>Comprehensive Credential Reset:</strong> Assume all credentials typed on the infected machine since the time of infection are fully compromised. Initiate an immediate, organization-wide password reset for the affected user, and invalidate all active session tokens.</li>\n<li><strong>Forensic Analysis:</strong> Conduct a forensic review of the endpoint to determine the initial vector of compromise and to ensure NetShadow did not deploy secondary backdoors prior to detection.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Trojan.NetShadow",
    "Keylogger.NetShadow",
    "Spyware.NetShadow"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1056.001",
    "T1113",
    "T1048",
    "T1115"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-01T16:48:23Z",
  "type": "Info-stealer / Keylogger",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}