Blockchain Press Releases
Decoy Dog is No Ordinary Pupy – Infoblox Reveals Shift in Malware Tactics After Initial Discovery
- Infoblox discovers that open-source software Pupy is a smokescreen for the real capabilities of Decoy Dog – highlighting the critical need for DNS security
- As result of initial Decoy Dog publication, threat actors took action to maintain access to already compromised devices
- Infoblox continues to monitor the situation, reverse engineers the threat, and builds sophisticated DNS detection algorithms to mitigate additional hidden threats
- Infoblox’s Head of Threat Intelligence, Dr. Renée Burton, presents exclusive insights on why Decoy Dog is No Ordinary Pupy at Black Hat in Las Vegas on August 9
SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Infoblox Inc., the company that delivers a simplified, cloud- enabled networking and security platform for improved performance and protection, today published a second threat report with critical updates on “Decoy Dog,” the remote access trojan (RAT) toolkit they discovered and disclosed in April 2023. The malware uses DNS to establish command and control (C2) and is suspected as a secret tool used in ongoing nation-state cyber attacks.
The threat actors swiftly responded following Infoblox’s disclosure of the toolkit, adapting their systems to ensure continued operations, indicating that maintaining access to victim devices remains a high priority. The analysis shows that the use of the malware has spread, with at least three actors now operating it. Although based on the open-source RAT Pupy, Decoy Dog is a fundamentally new, previously unknown, malware with many features to persist on a compromised device. Many aspects of Decoy Dog remain a mystery, but all signs point to nation-state hackers. Infoblox released a new data set containing DNS traffic captured from Infoblox’s servers to support further industry investigation of the C2 systems.
The question many in the industry continue to silently ask is: Are we really securing our network if we’re not monitoring our DNS? There is a significant risk that Decoy Dog and its use will continue to grow and impact organizations globally. Currently, the only known means to detect and defend against Decoy Dog/Pupy today is with DNS Detection and Response systems like Infoblox’s BloxOne® Threat Defense.
“It’s intuitive that DNS should be the first line of defense for organizations to detect and mitigate threats like Decoy Dog. Infoblox is the industry’s best-of-breed DNS Detection and Response solution, providing companies with a turn-key defense that other XDR solutions would miss,” said Scott Harrell, Infoblox President and CEO. “As demonstrated with Decoy Dog, studying and deeply understanding the attacker’s tactics and techniques allows us to block threats before they are even known as malware.”
Through large-scale DNS analysis, Infoblox has learned key features of the malware and the actors who operate it. Directly following the first announcement on social media, every Decoy Dog threat actor responded to Infoblox’s disclosures in different ways. Some of the name servers mentioned in Infoblox’s April 2023 report were taken down, while others migrated their victims to new servers. Despite their efforts to hide, Infoblox has continued to track the activities and has since learned a great deal more about them. Infoblox has been able to infer the nature of some communications, and estimates that the number of compromised devices is relatively small. Infoblox has also been able to distinguish Decoy Dog from Pupy and determine that Decoy Dog has a full suite of powerful, previously unknown capabilities, including the ability to move victims to another controller, allowing them to maintain communication with compromised machines and remain hidden for long periods of time. Some victims have actively communicated with a Decoy Dog server for over a year.
“The lack of insight into underlying victim systems and vulnerabilities being exploited makes Decoy Dog an ongoing and serious threat,” said Dr. Renée Burton, Head of Threat Intelligence at Infoblox. “The best defense against this malware is DNS. Malicious activity often goes unnoticed because DNS is undervalued as a critical component in the security ecosystem. Only enterprises with a strong protective DNS strategy can protect themselves from these types of hidden threats.”
In total, Infoblox is currently monitoring 20 Decoy Dog domains, some of which were registered and deployed within the last month. This toolkit exploits an inherent weakness of the malware-centric intelligence ecosystem that dominates the security industry today. Furthermore, this malware was discovered solely because of DNS threat detection algorithms. Organizations best defense against these attacks is protection at the DNS level, within every network. Infoblox’s BloxOne® Threat Defense customers remain protected from Decoy Dog and these known malicious threat actors.
“We urge the industry to take this research forward, further investigate and share their findings,” added Harrell.
Hands-On, Real-Life Experience of Pupy at Black Hat: Dr. Renée Burton will be discussing why “Decoy Dog is No Ordinary Pupy” in detail, along with other key findings at Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, August 9 from 1:15 pm-1:35 pm PT. Throughout the conference, attendees will be able to meet with Infoblox researchers and demonstrate their skills with a series of hands-on challenges using a live Pupy controller via Infoblox’s Double Dog Dare experience. Additional short introductions to Decoy Dog and Pupy will be held at the booth theater both days. This unique experience will allow participants to see firsthand how the DNS traffic is used to relay communications between the client and server to better understand the serious threat this malware poses.
The Hidden Potential of DNS in Security: Decoy Dog and Pupy take advantage of the lack of DNS oversight that often occurs in networks. In fact, over 90%* of all malware uses DNS in some way. Infoblox knows it’s imperative that security professionals understand the ways in which malware exploits DNS and how DNS Detection and Response can often thwart these attacks. Experts in the field recently released a new book titled “The Hidden Potential of DNS in Security.” This book gives readers everything they need to know about lookalike domains, domain generated algorithms (DGAs), DNS tunneling, data exfiltration over DNS, why hackers use DNS, and how to defend against these attacks. A copy of the book is available at Amazon.
Visit Infoblox at Black Hat in Las Vegas at Booth #1286 on August 9-10 to meet the team of experts to learn more about Decoy Dog/Pupy.
*More than 90% of malware attacks leverage DNS to establish command and control on a targeted network, according to Anne Neuberger, Director of Cybersecurity at National Security Agency.
About Infoblox
Infoblox unites networking and security to deliver unmatched performance and protection. Trusted by Fortune 100 companies and emerging innovators, we provide real-time visibility and control over who and what connects to your network, so your organization runs faster and stops threats earlier. Visit infoblox.com, or follow-us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
About Infoblox’s Threat Intelligence Group
The Threat Intelligence Group at Infoblox is dedicated to creating high fidelity “block-and-forget” domain name service (DNS) intelligence data for use in BloxOne Threat Defense. Core to Infoblox’s protection strategy is the identification of suspicious domains. Infoblox’s Threat Intelligence Group uses a patented machine learning algorithm to minimize the risk of enterprise outages while enabling maximum coverage of threats. Infoblox identifies suspicious domains through several custom-built algorithms and DNS based threat hunting.
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Blockchain Press Releases
Market Eyes “Crypto President” Inauguration as BTC Tumbles at $100K: Bybit and Block Scholes Analysis
DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has released the latest crypto derivatives report, published weekly with Blocks Scholes. Noting BTC’s retreat from the $100k mark a week into the new year, the analysis showed on-risk assets including crypto bore the brunt of broader macro factors. Past week’s data indicates heightened uncertainty in market dynamics ahead of Trump’s anticipated Jan. 21 inauguration, highlighting shifting investor sentiment during this significant political transition.
Key Insights:
Perpetuals Took a Winter Break: The perpetual swap market experienced a notable decline in liquidity over the holidays, with trading volumes winding down throughout Dec. 2024, leading to decreased realized volatility across the market. Notably, open interest maintained stability compared to levels preceding the great expiration of options contracts in Dec. 2024, indicating conservative positioning and limited hedging activity in perpetual swap markets.
Wide Disparity Between 30-Day Implied Volatility and 7-Day Realized Volatility: ETH’s options markets signalled an unmistakable preference for call options. In contrast, BTC’s open interest is rebalancing after the expiration in Dec. 2024. Both ETH and BTC have experienced notable changes in their term structures heading into the new year. The sharp divergence between implied and realized volatility is at its largest since the U.S. elections, suggesting that options traders are paying a premium to price in a higher level of risk or volatility despite the calm at the surface.
ETH Calls Gaining Traction
There has been a reshuffling in ETH open interest. While put options still hold sway in terms of total volume, call contracts have seen an uptick after Dec. However, the optimism comes with a caveat—the decline in realized volatility in the year so far has given options traders pause. The volatility term structure has steepened further, with short-term volatility (measured at a 30-day tenor) still sitting more than 15 points above its realized counterpart. This gap is the widest since the pre-election period of 2024, when geopolitical uncertainty fueled volatility premiums. Today, however, the premium seems driven more by general speculation than by any specific event. Even as the market settles, investors remain cautious, signaling looming uncertainty.
Access the Full Report here.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk /#BybitResearch
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
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Blockchain Press Releases
HTX 2025 Outlook: Five Sectors to Look Forward to, and How Trump’s Policy Will Affect Crypto Industry
SINGAPORE, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The year 2024 marks a significant chapter in the history of the crypto industry, where we witnessed continuous breakthroughs in blockchain technology, surges in Bitcoin price, and a gradually more open regulatory environment, with cryptocurrencies gaining increasing recognition from the mainstream. As 2025 unfolds, HTX, the world’s leading digital asset exchange, has released its latest report, HTX 2024 Global Web3 Blockchain Ecosystem Review and 2025 Outlook, which provides forward-looking insights into the development prospects of the crypto industry.
Key Sectors for 2025
In the report, HTX highlighted five key sectors that showed encouraging progress last year, and will continue to closely monitor these areas in 2025.
Bitcoin Ecosystem
In 2024, Bitcoin’s market dominance kept increasing, solidifying its position as the core asset, with spot ETFs acting as liquidity channels, and U.S. listed companies such as MicroStrategy (MSTR) serving as the vehicles to absorb unlimited dollar liquidity.
As a result, it is increasingly essential to further develop Bitcoin’s ecosystem and enhance capital utilization efficiency. With strong support from macro markets and infrastructure support, a further surge in Bitcoin demand over the next two years is well-anticipated.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure remained a cornerstone in 2024’s crypto investments and funding. The synergy between capital and technology has driven the rapid development of Layer 1, Layer 2, and middleware projects, among others.
Layer 1 solutions, in particular, now represent the focal point of technical development and exploration within the crypto space, and it is expected to remain a priority for development resources and capital investment in the future.
Meme Coins
The Meme coin sector emerged as a hotspot in 2024, fostering community consensus while integrating with fields like DeFi and GameFi to create new use cases. As the crypto market environment grows increasingly favorable, more retail investors are expected to enter the market, positioning Meme projects as vital channels for capital inflows.
AI
In 2024, the intersection of Crypto and AI sector has been driving the exploration of several segmented fields, the hottest one of which is AI agents. In the future, AI agents will gradually become personal butlers and assistants for users, serving them with comprehensive capabilities. Over time, they may develop unique cultures and religions.
This deep integration of AI and encryption technology is a groundbreaking evolution that is unattainable within Web2 and cannot be achieved by Web3 relying solely on encryption technology.
TON Ecosystem
Attributable to Telegram’s hundreds of millions of users and robust technical support, the TON ecosystem achieved significant milestones in various fields, pioneering the monetization of Web2 social applications through crypto. Moving into 2025, it needs to explore and find new business models to improve user retention and identify its next growth curve.
Donald Trump Effect: Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Worth Anticipating
The report also discusses the potential impact of crypto-friendly policies that could arise after Donald Trump takes office. Two important bills, the FIT21 Act and the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, are likely to pass more quickly thanks to him.
The FIT21 Act aims to create a clear legal framework for token issuance and trading by classifying tokens as digital assets or digital commodities, transferring the regulatory responsibilities of many blockchain projects from the SEC to the CFTC, and introducing a safe harbor mechanism. This would help standardize and promote the healthy growth of the entire industry.
The Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises, if passed, would mark Bitcoin’s transition from a niche asset to a nationally recognized reserve asset, greatly enhancing its legitimacy and recognition. It may also prompt other countries to adopt similar measures to further advance Bitcoin’s global recognition and application.
The Act was submitted to Congress for deliberation on August 4, 2024, and referred to the Senate Banking Committee for review. Trump is well-positioned to push this bill through. Meanwhile, several U.S. states have already proposed their own Bitcoin Strategic Reserve bills. By 2025, Bitcoin as a strategic reserve may become a reality.
Additionally, under Trump’s presidency, the SAB121 Act is likely to be repealed, allowing traditional financial institutions to hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets, further accelerating the institutionalization of crypto assets and contributing to the overall maturity of the crypto market. The SEC’s application criteria of the Howey Test may also be relaxed, increasing the likelihood of more spot crypto ETFs being approved and more public listings of crypto companies.
Meanwhile, the report also provides a comprehensive summary of 2024, looking back on the key events that had a major impact on the crypto industry while summing up what HTX had achieved over the last year.
To learn more, please visit: https://square.htx.com/htx-2024-global-web3-blockchain-ecosystem-review-and-2025-outlook/
About HTX
Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.
As a world-leading gateway to Web3, we harbor global capabilities that enable us to provide users with safe and reliable services.
Our growth strategy – “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance”, underpins our commitment to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.
Contact Details
Ruder Finn Asia
[email protected]
Company Website
https://www.htx.com
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Blockchain Press Releases
Vietnam’s Youth Rally Behind Blockchain: KuCoin Reveals Groundbreaking Insights at VTIS 2024
HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to share the findings from its second edition of the KuCoin Campus Survey, conducted during the Vietnam Technology & Investment Summit (VTIS) 2024. With 926 participants surveyed from December 3rd to December 4th, 2024, the results underscore the vibrant interest in blockchain technologies among Vietnam’s youth, reinforcing KuCoin’s commitment to nurturing this vital market.
The survey, a key initiative under KuCoin Campus, highlights a strong, positive sentiment towards cryptocurrencies, with 92% of participants optimistic about the future of digital assets. Remarkably, 82% of respondents are considering blockchain-related careers, signaling a burgeoning talent pool eager for development and opportunities within the industry.
Vietnam’s strategic importance to both KuCoin and the broader crypto community is evident as 68% of participants expressed a “very high interest” in blockchain, making it a critical hub for crypto innovations and community engagement. Additionally, 73% of respondents currently hold cryptocurrencies, demonstrating a mature market ready for further expansion and adoption.
The survey also uncovered a significant inclination towards diverse blockchain roles, with data analysis (24%), marketing (22%), and business development (21%) being the most coveted. These insights are invaluable as they highlight the areas of highest potential and interest among the future workforce.
“Vietnam has been and will continue to be a key market for us,” said Alicia Kao, the Managing Director of KuCoin. “As the People’s Exchange, we are committed to empowering and equipping this new generation with the tools they need to succeed in the evolving digital landscape.”
View the full report here (EN version, VN Version), or visit KuCoin’s official website for further information.
About KuCoin
Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and an exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 37 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots. KuCoin has garnered accolades such as “Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges” by Forbes and has been recognized among the “Top 50 Global Unicorns” by Hurun in 2024. These recognitions reflect its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
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