Malicious GhostSocks Loader Execution with johnpidar Argument via process_creation

ATT&CK techniques

Priv Esc → C2

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
- T1055Process Injection
Defense Evasion
- T1055Process Injection
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
- T1090Proxy
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects process command lines containing the distinctive johnpidar argument. This hardcoded flag is passed to the GhostSocks loader delivered by fake OpenClaw installers, and its presence on a command line is a strong indicator of active infostealer and SOCKS proxy execution on the host.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious GhostSocks Loader Execution with johnpidar Argument via process_creation

Pivot detection · T1090 · 9 related

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

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