EtherRAT Node.js Backdoor Execution via Headless Conhost (via process_creation)

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-06-01
Updated
2026-08-28

ATT&CK techniques

Execution
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Persistence

  5. Priv Esc

  6. Defense Evasion

  7. Cred Access

  8. Discovery

  9. Lateral Movement

  10. Collection

  11. C2

  12. Exfiltration

  13. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the EtherRAT backdoor launched through conhost.exe in headless mode running a bundled Node.js payload from the hidden MicrosoftSltt directory, an execution behavior observed in The Gentlemen ransomware intrusions using Ethereum smart-contract C2. Adversaries leverage the signed conhost host to run a Node.js runtime and blend malicious JavaScript execution into normal process activity.

Related detections9 linkedT1059.007 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious PowerShell Spawned by Windows Script Host during Scarlet Goldfinch Infection (via process_creation)
Suspicious Windows Script Host Execution of JavaScript from Temporary Archive Extraction Folder (via process_creation)
Suspicious Whoami Discovery Spawned by Windows Script Host via Process Creation (via process_creation)
Suspicious Node.js Execution from User AppData Directory (via process_creation)
Malicious Shai-Hulud npm Worm Marker via SHA1HULUD Process Name (via process_creation)
Suspicious Script Host Downloader via MSXML and WScript Shell
Malicious VVS Discord Stealer Script Drop via injection-obf.js (via file_event)
Suspicious npm Postinstall node Execution of setup.cjs with Warnings Suppressed
Suspicious node.exe Executing Compiled JavaScript Bytecode File
EtherRAT Node.js Backdoor Execution via Headless Conhost (via process_creation)
Pivot detection · T1059.007 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.