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GitHub – bytecode77/r77-rootkit: Fileless ring 3 rootkit with installer and persistence that hides processes, files, network connections, etc.
The r77-rootkit is a sophisticated fileless rootkit operating in Ring 3 (user mode), designed to conceal malicious activities such as processes, files, and network connections without leaving traces on the disk. This makes detection challenging for traditional antivirus solutions.
You Should Know:
1. How the r77-Rootkit Works
- Fileless Execution: Operates in memory, evading disk-based scans.
- Process Hiding: Uses API hooking to hide malicious processes from Task Manager and
ps. - File Concealment: Intercepts file system calls to hide payloads.
- Network Stealth: Masks connections from tools like `netstat` or
tcpdump.
2. Detection & Analysis Commands
To identify potential rootkit behavior, use these Linux/Windows commands:
Linux:
Check for hidden processes (compare ps & /proc) ps aux | grep -i "suspicious_process" ls -la /proc/[0-9]/exe 2>/dev/null | grep deleted Monitor system calls for hooking strace -p <PID> Check loaded modules (for kernel rootkits) lsmod Network connections (bypass hidden sockets) ss -tulnp lsof -i
Windows:
Detect hidden processes (compare Task Manager vs. WMIC) wmic process get name,processid,executablepath Check for API hooks (using Sysinternals) .\autoruns.exe -m Verify network connections netstat -ano | findstr ESTABLISHED Get-NetTCPConnection -State Established Scan for unsigned drivers (common in rootkits) driverquery /v | findstr /i "unsigned"
3. Mitigation Steps
- Use Memory Forensics: Tools like Volatility (Linux/Windows) can detect rootkit artifacts.
volatility -f memory.dump --profile=Win10x64 pslist
- Enable Secure Boot: Prevents unauthorized kernel-mode drivers.
- Monitor API Calls: Use Sysmon (Windows) or auditd (Linux) for suspicious activity.
4. Testing the Rootkit (For Research)
If analyzing the r77-rootkit in a sandbox:
Clone the repo (CAUTION: Use isolated VM) git clone https://github.com/bytecode77/r77-rootkit.git cd r77-rootkit Inspect the installer (Persistence mechanisms) cat r77.c
What Undercode Say
The r77-rootkit exemplifies modern evasion techniques, stressing the need for behavioral analysis over signature-based detection. Security teams must:
– Adopt memory forensics in incident response.
– Monitor unusual parent-child process relationships.
– Restrict PowerShell/WMI usage in enterprises.
Expected Output:
[+] Detected hidden process ID: 666 (masquerading as "svchost.exe") [+] Suspicious API hook in ntdll.dll (offset: 0x7ffb) [+] Network connection to C2 (IP: 1.1.1.1) hidden from netstat
For deeper analysis, refer to the r77-rootkit GitHub repo.
References:
Reported By: Florian Hansemann – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
