Slingshot

Category: advanced_threat · Aliases: APT.Slingshot, Trojan.Slingshot, Win32/Slingshot · Sample count (EMBER 2018): 1 · Enrichment: insufficient_information · Updated: 2026-07-02T07:07:00Z

Category: Advanced_ThreatActor: Unknown / CybercriminalIndustry: Global / OpportunisticMotivation: Opportunistic

Overview

Executive Summary

Slingshot is an exceptionally sophisticated, modular Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) platform discovered in 2018 (though believed to be active since at least 2012). It is a highly complex cyber-espionage framework characterized by its unique infection vector—compromising network routers—and its deep integration into the Windows kernel. Slingshot is designed for long-term, stealthy surveillance and data exfiltration from highly secure networks.

Infection Vector and Technical Capabilities

Slingshot's most notable characteristic is its initial infection vector. Rather than relying on traditional phishing or exploit kits, the threat actors compromised Mikrotik routers (and potentially others). They modified the router's software to inject a malicious DLL into the legitimate management software downloaded by network administrators, effectively turning the router into a malware distribution point for the internal network. Upon execution on a Windows endpoint, the framework deploys two massive modules:

Cahnadr (Kernel-Mode Module): This module operates deep within the Windows kernel (Ring 0). It acts as a highly advanced rootkit, hiding the malware's presence, providing unfettered access to system resources, and establishing low-level persistence mechanisms that survive reboots and OS upgrades.
GollumApp (User-Mode Module): This is the primary espionage payload, consisting of nearly 1,500 highly modular functions. It is responsible for comprehensive surveillance: keylogging, screen capturing, stealing passwords, harvesting clipboard data, capturing network traffic, and monitoring USB devices.
Advanced Evasion: Slingshot utilizes an encrypted virtual file system within the Windows registry to store its modules and stolen data, making forensic analysis exceptionally difficult. It also monitors for security products and can shut itself down to avoid detection.

Threat Assessment

Slingshot represents one of the most advanced cyber-espionage platforms ever discovered. Its ability to compromise network infrastructure (routers) to attack endpoints, combined with its kernel-level rootkit capabilities, indicates it is the tool of a highly resourced, likely state-sponsored actor focused on high-value targets.

Incident Response and Remediation

Infrastructure Audit (Routers): Remediation must begin at the network edge. All network routers (especially Mikrotik) must be audited, firmly patched, and their firmware verified against known-good hashes to eliminate the primary infection vector.
Deep Forensic Triage: Because Slingshot operates at the kernel level and utilizes encrypted registry file systems, traditional AV scans are insufficient. Specialized forensic analysis (including memory forensics) is required to confirm infection.
Complete Re-imaging: Any endpoint confirmed to be infected with Slingshot must undergo a complete bare-metal wipe. Due to its advanced persistence, attempting to clean the system is highly risky; re-imaging from a trusted baseline is mandatory.

Known aliases

Threat reports may refer to this family under multiple names:

MITRE ATT&CK Techniques

This family has been observed using the following ATT&CK techniques: T1014 T1056 T1114 T1542

Tactical Mitigations

Based on the techniques used by this family, consider the following defensive strategies:

T1056: Monitor for unauthorized keylogging, screen capturing, or web browser API hooking. Deploy EDR to detect API hooking.

Generated Detections (Boilerplate)

These YARA and Sigma rules are auto-generated based on the family name and aliases. They must be heavily tuned before deployment in a production environment.

YARA Rule

rule MALWARE_WIN_SLINGSHOT {
    meta:
        description = "Detects Slingshot (advanced_threat)"
        author = "SystemHelpdesk Boilerplate Generator"
        date = "2026-07-06"
    strings:
        $s1 = "slingshot" ascii wide nocase
        $s2 = "apt.slingshot" ascii wide nocase
        $s3 = "trojan.slingshot" ascii wide nocase
        $s4 = "win32/slingshot" ascii wide nocase
    condition:
        uint16(0) == 0x5a4d and any of them
}

Sigma Rule

title: Suspicious Slingshot Activity
id: c9d8f0a1ac49790e7e87d9e3fee85877
status: experimental
description: Detects generic indicators of the slingshot malware family.
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\cmd.exe'
            - '\powershell.exe'
        CommandLine|contains:
            - "*slingshot*"
            - "*apt.slingshot*"
            - "*trojan.slingshot*"
            - "*win32/slingshot*"
    condition: selection
level: medium

References & External Analysis

Search "slingshot" on VirusTotal (External Analysis)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove the Slingshot Advanced_Threat from Windows?

Manual removal of Slingshot is highly discouraged as it may leave persistence mechanisms intact. We recommend disconnecting the device from the internet and utilizing a professional incident response service or enterprise-grade EDR software to conduct a full forensic sweep.

Is Slingshot a virus or a Advanced_Threat?

Slingshot is classified as a Advanced_Threat. Unlike traditional viruses that infect files, modern malware like Slingshot typically operates as a standalone payload designed to compromise systems, steal data, or deploy secondary stage implants.

What are the main symptoms of a Slingshot infection?

Symptoms of Slingshot can include unexpected system slowness, unauthorized outbound network traffic to unknown IP addresses, disabled security software, and suspicious background processes running from AppData or Temp directories.

Related Families (Category: advanced_threat)

Explore other malware families in the same category:

Protect Your Network Against Advanced_Threats

Want to prevent Slingshot and similar threats from compromising your organization? Read our comprehensive defensive guide: Suspect an Infection? What to do.

Need help with an active incident? Published by the SystemHelpdesk team.

Machine-readable

Get this profile as JSON: https://jordan123234-malware-families-explorer.static.hf.space/api/slingshot.json

Ecosystem & Interactive Environments

This profile is part of the Malware Families Catalog, a public dataset of 2,899 malware families. The catalog is also published across our ecosystem: Hugging Face, Kaggle, Zenodo, Replit, StackBlitz, CodeSandbox, and CodePen.