NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload

YARA-2025-1291 High general Active

Detection for encoded shellcode payload downloaded by LNK file that drops GOLDBACKDOOR

NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload.yar Valid Syntax
rule NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload
{
meta:
author= "Silas Cutler (silas@Stairwell.com)"
description = "Detection for encoded shellcode payload downloaded by LNK file that drops GOLDBACKDOOR"
reference = "https://stairwell.com/news/threat-research-the-ink-stained-trail-of-goldbackdoor/"
version = "0.1"
strings:
$init = { e6b3 6d0a 6502 1e67 0aee e7e6 e66b eac2 }
condition:
$init at 0
}

Rule Metadata

author
Silas Cutler (silas@Stairwell.com)
description
Detection for encoded shellcode payload downloaded by LNK file that drops GOLDBACKDOOR
reference
https://stairwell.com/news/threat-research-the-ink-stained-trail-of-goldbackdoor/
version
0.1

String Definitions

{"name":"$init","value":"{ e6b3 6d0a 6502 1e67 0aee e7e6 e66b eac2 }"}

Threat Analysis

This YARA rule is designed to detect general threats.

Severity Level: High

The rule uses pattern matching to identify specific byte sequences, strings, or behavioral patterns associated with malicious activity.

Detection Capabilities

  • File-based detection for executables and documents
  • Memory scanning for running processes
  • Network traffic analysis support

Command Line Usage

# Scan a single file
yara NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload.yar /path/to/suspicious/file

# Scan a directory recursively
yara -r NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload.yar /path/to/directory/

# Scan with metadata output
yara -m NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload.yar target_file

# Scan process memory (Linux)
yara NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload.yar /proc/[pid]/exe

Integration Examples

Python (yara-python)

import yara
rules = yara.compile(filepath='NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload.yar')
matches = rules.match('/path/to/file')

ClamAV Integration

clamscan --yara-rules=NK_GOLDBACKDOOR_obf_payload.yar /path/to/scan

Rule Information

YARA ID
YARA-2025-1291
Created
August 19, 2025
Last Updated
August 19, 2025
Last Imported
Never

Threat Intelligence

Risk Level High
Category general
Detection Confidence Analysis Pending
False Positive Rate Not Available
Last Seen in Wild No Data

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