Malicious InvisibleFerret Python Loader Execution from Hidden .pyp Directory

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Category
process_creation
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-07-20
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 a python.exe located in a hidden .pyp user directory executing the .npl payload, matching the InvisibleFerret stage of the North Korean job-hunter campaigns described by Unit 42. The actor stages a private Python runtime and payload under a dotted folder in the user profile which is an unusual pattern that reveals the second-stage backdoor.

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