Suspicious SlowStepper DNS TXT C2 Subdomain Lookup via DNS Query

PremiumReviewedSigma · High · v1
Product
windows
Category
dns_query
Author
HuntRule
Published
2026-09-23
Updated
2026-09-23

ATT&CK techniques

C2
  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. Exfiltration

  13. Impact

What it detects

This rule detects DNS lookups to the gsm.360safe.company namespace, the command-and-control domain the SlowStepper backdoor queries over DNS TXT records after the PlushDaemon supply-chain compromise. This subdomain pattern is specific to the actor infrastructure. Its resolution indicates active DNS-based C2 communication.

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Pivot detection · T1071.004 · 9 related

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