{
  "family": "zaxar",
  "sample_count": 1,
  "category": "ransomware",
  "description": "<h3>Executive Summary</h3>\nZaxar is a highly sophisticated Trojan and Botnet component that poses a severe threat to enterprise networks. While it functions as a downloader, it is specifically engineered to establish deep, persistent backdoors, recruit the infected host into a resilient botnet architecture, and act as a primary delivery mechanism for secondary, high-impact payloads such as banking trojans and enterprise ransomware.\n\n<h3>Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities</h3>\nZaxar typically infiltrates networks via highly targeted spear-phishing campaigns utilizing malicious macro-enabled documents, or it is dropped silently via exploit kits that compromise vulnerable web browsers.\n\nOnce active, Zaxar employs advanced techniques for evasion and control:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Process Injection and Hooking:</strong> Zaxar heavily utilizes Process Hollowing and API hooking. It decrypts its payload in memory and injects it into legitimate Windows processes (like `explorer.exe` or `svchost.exe`). This allows it to evade file-based AV detection and bypass local firewalls.</li>\n<li><strong>Resilient C2 Communication (DGA):</strong> To prevent defenders from simply blocking its Command and Control servers, Zaxar frequently employs Domain Generation Algorithms (DGA). It generates thousands of potential C2 domain names daily, making it extremely difficult to sever its connection to the botmaster.</li>\n<li><strong>Modular Payload Delivery:</strong> The Zaxar backdoor is highly modular. The botmaster can dynamically push down specific plugins to the infected endpoint based on its value (e.g., pushing an info-stealer if the machine belongs to the finance department, or a ransomware payload if the machine is a server).</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>Threat Assessment</h3>\nA Zaxar infection is a critical security breach indicating a complete loss of endpoint integrity. The presence of this botnet client means the machine is under the active control of a sophisticated threat group, and the deployment of a catastrophic secondary payload (like ransomware) is imminent.\n\n<h3>Incident Response and Remediation</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Immediate Network Isolation:</strong> Instantly sever the network connection of the infected machine to halt the C2 beaconing and prevent the download of the secondary payload.</li>\n<li><strong>Memory Forensics and Telemetry:</strong> Because Zaxar operates primarily in memory, traditional file scanning is insufficient. Use EDR telemetry and memory forensics to trace the injected processes and identify all anomalous network connections.</li>\n<li><strong>Mandatory Re-imaging and Credential Reset:</strong> The system must be wiped to bare metal and rebuilt from a clean image. All credentials utilized on or by the infected machine must be treated as compromised and immediately reset.</li>\n</ul>",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.",
  "aliases": [
    "Botnet.Zaxar",
    "Trojan.Zaxar",
    "Backdoor.Win32.Zaxar"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "insufficient_information",
  "faq": [],
  "faq_count": 0,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1055",
    "T1568.002",
    "T1105"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02T07:30:48Z",
  "type": "Trojan / Botnet",
  "target_industries": [
    "Global / Opportunistic"
  ],
  "motivation": "Opportunistic",
  "threat_actors": [
    "Unknown / Cybercriminal"
  ],
  "target_geographies": [
    "Global"
  ]
}