A newly discovered botnet has been found to operate differently from traditional ones, focusing exclusively on distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks rather than engaging in multiple forms of cybercrime.
Researchers revealed that the botnet specifically targets misconfigured Docker containers on AWS cloud servers. Once compromised, the servers are infected with Go-based malware that transforms them into attack nodes.
What makes this discovery notable is its business model. Instead of launching attacks directly, the operators have created a platform that allows customers to rent access to the compromised systems and conduct their own DDoS campaigns. Experts said this shift highlights how cybercriminals are increasingly adopting service-oriented models, treating illegal activities as structured business ventures.
The botnet is equipped with containerisation, an extensive API, and a user interface, showcasing the evolution of cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS). Its modular design and operator-friendly features make it both scalable and easy to use.
Kelvin Lim, senior director at Black Duck, explained that this development lowers the barrier for hackers. “DDoS-as-a-service lowers the barrier-to-entry for hackers and enables even low-skilled hackers to launch large-scale attacks with minimal effort,” he said. He warned that misconfigured Docker environments are prime targets and urged organisations to enforce strong authentication, disable exposed APIs, and adopt container security hardening.
Jason Soroko, senior fellow at Sectigo, noted that the streamlined focus makes the platform effective. “Container-aware infection of misconfigured Docker-on-cloud-hosts gives rapid scale and disposable infrastructure,” he said, adding that defenders should monitor control plane behaviour rather than relying only on host-level indicators.
Shane Barney, chief information security officer at Keeper Security, called the botnet another sign that cybercrime has become industrialised. “This type of industrialisation should be a wake-up call for defenders,” he said. “The fact that attackers are exploiting misconfigured Docker containers on AWS is also concerning, highlighting how quickly adversaries are shifting into cloud-native environments where misconfigurations are common.”
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
