{
  "hunt": {
    "meta": {
      "tlp": "clear",
      "hunt": {
        "handoff": "keep-as-periodic-hunt",
        "trigger": "intel-report",
        "methodology": "model-assisted",
        "applicability": "campaign-specific",
        "justification": "The NIK C2 framework represents a shift toward AI-accelerated exploitation and data theft; a negative result confirms that these specific high-prevalence variants have not established a foothold or initiated ransomware impact."
      },
      "name": "AI-Driven NIK C2 Implant and Data Theft",
      "type": "investigation",
      "labels": [
        "hunt",
        "attack.t1059.001",
        "attack.t1003",
        "attack.t1486",
        "attack.t1566",
        "command and control",
        "credential access",
        "execution",
        "impact",
        "initial access"
      ],
      "series": {
        "slug": "a-quiet-week-in-infosec",
        "index": 1,
        "title": "A quiet week in infosec <.<",
        "total": 2
      },
      "related": [
        {
          "hunt": "initial-access-exploitation",
          "reason": "The delivery mechanism (likely PHP or Node.js exploitation) is handled by a separate series of hunts focusing on web server telemetry.",
          "relation": "out-of-scope-alternative"
        }
      ],
      "targets": {
        "hunter": {
          "name": "Hunt agent",
          "agent": true
        },
        "analyst": {
          "name": "Tier-2 analyst",
          "role": "analyst"
        },
        "endpoint": {
          "name": "Endpoint telemetry (hb_ surfaces)",
          "category": "endpoint",
          "telemetry": [
            "endpoint"
          ]
        }
      },
      "analysis": "While a static rule might catch the known hashes, this hunt pivots to behavioral indicators (browser DB access and ransomware file patterns) to catch evolving NIK C2 variants that change their binary signature but maintain their functional goals.",
      "coverage": [
        {
          "stage": "execution-implant-deployment",
          "steps": [
            "nik-implant-lead"
          ],
          "status": "covered"
        },
        {
          "stage": "credential-access-theft",
          "steps": [
            "browser-crypto-access"
          ],
          "status": "covered"
        },
        {
          "stage": "impact-ransomware-deployment",
          "steps": [
            "ransomware-behavior"
          ],
          "status": "covered"
        },
        {
          "stage": "initial-access-exploitation",
          "reason": "Belongs to another part of the 'A quiet week in infosec <.<' series.",
          "status": "out_of_scope"
        },
        {
          "stage": "command-and-control-ai",
          "reason": "Belongs to another part of the 'A quiet week in infosec <.<' series.",
          "status": "out_of_scope"
        }
      ],
      "scenario": {
        "stages": [
          {
            "name": "Exploitation of Public-Facing Applications",
            "slug": "initial-access-exploitation",
            "tactic": "initial-access",
            "techniques": [
              "T1190",
              "T1566"
            ],
            "observables": [
              "Exploitation of PHP core RCE vulnerabilities",
              "Exploitation of Node.js/Brotli decoder flaws",
              "Phishing emails targeting AI credentials"
            ]
          },
          {
            "name": "NIK C2 Implant Execution",
            "slug": "execution-implant-deployment",
            "tactic": "execution",
            "techniques": [
              "T1059.001"
            ],
            "observables": [
              "Go-based Windows implant execution",
              "Unexpected PowerShell executions",
              "Process names: KMSAuto++.exe, KMSAuto Net.exe"
            ]
          },
          {
            "name": "Credential and Data Harvesting",
            "slug": "credential-access-theft",
            "tactic": "credential-access",
            "techniques": [
              "T1003"
            ],
            "observables": [
              "Unauthorized access to browser databases",
              "Access to crypto wallets",
              "Credential dumping from memory",
              "Keystroke streaming"
            ]
          },
          {
            "name": "AI-Enhanced Command and Control",
            "slug": "command-and-control-ai",
            "tactic": "command-and-control",
            "techniques": [
              "T1071.001",
              "T1090"
            ],
            "observables": [
              "Unusual local proxy routing",
              "Hijacked OpenAI API keys used for outbound C2 communication",
              "Go-based implant network activity"
            ]
          },
          {
            "name": "Screen-locking Ransomware",
            "slug": "impact-ransomware-deployment",
            "tactic": "impact",
            "techniques": [
              "T1486"
            ],
            "observables": [
              "Deployment of screen-locking ransomware",
              "Data encryption for impact"
            ]
          }
        ],
        "summary": "The NIK C2 framework is a Go-based Windows implant that leverages integrated AI models to analyze harvested data in real-time. The campaign involves credential dumping, keystroke streaming, and the deployment of screen-locking ransomware, while masking infrastructure by hijacking victims' OpenAI API keys for data processing."
      },
      "severity": "high",
      "rationale": "Target Windows hosts, especially those belonging to users with access to sensitive credentials or cloud development environments (likely to hold API keys). Focus on the last 14 days following the Talos advisory.",
      "guardrails": {
        "claims": "no_unsupported",
        "evidence": "citation_required",
        "telemetry": "untrusted",
        "missing_data": "not_benign"
      },
      "hypothesis": "An intruder has deployed the NIK C2 implant to harvest browser credentials and crypto wallets, potentially preparing to deploy screen-locking ransomware.",
      "parameters": {
        "scope_hosts": {
          "type": "list[host]",
          "default": [],
          "description": "List of hostnames flagged in the initial lead to scope behavioral pivots."
        },
        "implant_names": {
          "from": {
            "ref": "https://blog.talosintelligence.com/a-quiet-week-in-infosec/",
            "kind": "article",
            "observed": "2026-10-29"
          },
          "type": "list[string]",
          "default": [
            "KMSAuto++.exe",
            "KMSAuto Net.exe"
          ],
          "description": "Process names observed in telemetry for recent malicious activity."
        },
        "lookback_days": {
          "type": "number",
          "default": "14",
          "description": "Days of history to examine."
        },
        "implant_hashes": {
          "from": {
            "ref": "https://blog.talosintelligence.com/a-quiet-week-in-infosec/",
            "kind": "article",
            "observed": "2026-10-29"
          },
          "type": "list[hash]",
          "default": [
            "73a25ff8893260418c2271b863c567e40e842adbab3c57023cb72de590ea377d",
            "9f1f11a708d393e0a4109ae189bc64f1f3e312653dcf317a2bd406f18ffcc507",
            "7fc50b69b56bfdfa9fc0a3e088ff13904587d6336a51e9edcc7919cba83d4e3f",
            "58d6fec4ba24c32d38c9a0c7c39df3cb0e91f500b323e841121d703c7b718681",
            "fed979f93bcaf4e73ebd25748093a92095d5109cbd01d55f97bdc50ce509ad2f"
          ],
          "description": "SHA256 hashes for prevalent malware and known NIK C2 components."
        }
      },
      "provenance": {
        "authors": [
          {
            "org": "huntbase.io",
            "name": "Huntbase hunt generation"
          }
        ],
        "generated": {
          "by": "huntbase-hunt-generation",
          "from": "https://blog.talosintelligence.com/a-quiet-week-in-infosec/",
          "gates": [
            "dry-run",
            "lint"
          ],
          "model": "hb_google/gemini-3-flash-preview"
        }
      },
      "references": [
        {
          "url": "https://blog.talosintelligence.com/a-quiet-week-in-infosec/",
          "name": "Cisco Talos \u2014 A quiet week in infosec"
        }
      ],
      "blind_spots": [
        {
          "id": "limited-process-visibility",
          "risk": "An attacker renaming the binary would bypass the lead query, resulting in a false negative.",
          "stage": "execution-implant-deployment",
          "question": "whether the implant was executed with a randomized filename not in the parameter list",
          "requires": "EDR process execution logs"
        },
        {
          "id": "file-auditing-gap",
          "risk": "Without specific file access telemetry, reading the database is silent until exfiltration or encryption starts.",
          "stage": "credential-access-theft",
          "question": "whether the implant read the Login Data file without triggering a process-based alert",
          "requires": "file-level access auditing for browser profile paths"
        }
      ]
    },
    "name": "AI-Driven NIK C2 Implant and Data Theft",
    "description": "The NIK C2 framework employs a Go-based Windows implant that integrates AI to analyze stolen data in real-time. This adversary hijacks victim API keys to fund AI requests and deploys screen-locking ransomware to finish the operation. The hunt first identifies known malicious filenames or hashes from Talos telemetry. If a lead is confirmed, the hunt fans out to examine behavioral indicators of credential harvesting targeting browser databases and crypto wallets. Finally, the analyst evaluates file activity for rapid encryption or renaming patterns typical of ransomware impact."
  },
  "nodes": [
    {
      "id": "hypothesis",
      "type": "hypothesis",
      "label": "Hypothesis",
      "config": {
        "tags": [],
        "series": {
          "slug": "a-quiet-week-in-infosec",
          "index": 1,
          "title": "A quiet week in infosec <.<",
          "total": 2
        },
        "coverage": [
          {
            "stage": "execution-implant-deployment",
            "steps": [
              "nik-implant-lead"
            ],
            "status": "covered"
          },
          {
            "stage": "credential-access-theft",
            "steps": [
              "browser-crypto-access"
            ],
            "status": "covered"
          },
          {
            "stage": "impact-ransomware-deployment",
            "steps": [
              "ransomware-behavior"
            ],
            "status": "covered"
          },
          {
            "stage": "initial-access-exploitation",
            "reason": "Belongs to another part of the 'A quiet week in infosec <.<' series.",
            "status": "out_of_scope"
          },
          {
            "stage": "command-and-control-ai",
            "reason": "Belongs to another part of the 'A quiet week in infosec <.<' series.",
            "status": "out_of_scope"
          }
        ],
        "rationale": "An intruder has deployed the NIK C2 implant to harvest browser credentials and crypto wallets, potentially preparing to deploy screen-locking ransomware.",
        "blind_spots": [
          {
            "id": "limited-process-visibility",
            "risk": "An attacker renaming the binary would bypass the lead query, resulting in a false negative.",
            "stage": "execution-implant-deployment",
            "question": "whether the implant was executed with a randomized filename not in the parameter list",
            "requires": "EDR process execution logs"
          },
          {
            "id": "file-auditing-gap",
            "risk": "Without specific file access telemetry, reading the database is silent until exfiltration or encryption starts.",
            "stage": "credential-access-theft",
            "question": "whether the implant read the Login Data file without triggering a process-based alert",
            "requires": "file-level access auditing for browser profile paths"
          }
        ],
        "scoping_notes": "Target Windows hosts, especially those belonging to users with access to sensitive credentials or cloud development environments (likely to hold API keys). Focus on the last 14 days following the Talos advisory.",
        "beyond_detection": "While a static rule might catch the known hashes, this hunt pivots to behavioral indicators (browser DB access and ransomware file patterns) to catch evolving NIK C2 variants that change their binary signature but maintain their functional goals."
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nik-implant-lead",
      "type": "query",
      "label": "Search for NIK C2 and associated malware",
      "config": {
        "dsl": "sqlite",
        "role": "triage",
        "source": "endpoint",
        "content": "SELECT device_hostname, process_name, process_path, process_cmd_line, process_hash_sha256, user_name, time FROM hb_process_activity WHERE (instr(',' || '{{implant_hashes}}' || ',', ',' || process_hash_sha256 || ',') > 0 OR instr(',' || '{{implant_names}}' || ',', ',' || LOWER(process_name) || ',') > 0) AND time >= datetime('now', '-{{lookback_days}} days')",
        "surface": "hb_process_activity",
        "description": "Identify processes by known malicious hashes or specific filenames used by the NIK C2 framework.",
        "expected_signal": "A row indicates a known malicious process is active on a host. Zero rows suggests this specific implant version is not currently running."
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "hypothesis"
        }
      ],
      "primitive_config": {
        "dsl": "sqlite",
        "role": "triage",
        "label": "Search for NIK C2 and associated malware",
        "reads": [
          "device_hostname",
          "process_name",
          "process_path",
          "process_cmd_line",
          "process_hash_sha256",
          "user_name",
          "time"
        ],
        "source": "hb_process_activity",
        "target": "endpoint",
        "content": "SELECT device_hostname, process_name, process_path, process_cmd_line, process_hash_sha256, user_name, time FROM hb_process_activity WHERE (instr(',' || '{{implant_hashes}}' || ',', ',' || process_hash_sha256 || ',') > 0 OR instr(',' || '{{implant_names}}' || ',', ',' || LOWER(process_name) || ',') > 0) AND time >= datetime('now', '-{{lookback_days}} days')",
        "silence": "not_evidence_of_absence",
        "expected": "A row indicates a known malicious process is active on a host. Zero rows suggests this specific implant version is not currently running.",
        "verified": "dry-run",
        "verified_at": "2026-10-30"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "gate-agent",
      "type": "analytic",
      "label": "Analyze the lead results",
      "config": {
        "cite": "required",
        "tools": [
          "endpoint"
        ],
        "context": [
          "nik-implant-lead"
        ],
        "objective": "Determine if any host shows evidence of NIK C2 or related malicious execution based on the process metadata.",
        "description": "Evaluate if the processes found in the lead query are legitimate administrative tools or confirmed malware based on their execution context.",
        "max_iterations": 3,
        "expected_signal": "A verdict on whether the lead is worth full investigation.",
        "success_criteria": "A per-host verdict of suspicious or malicious."
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "nik-implant-lead"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "gate-decision",
      "type": "checkpoint",
      "label": "Decide whether to fan-out",
      "config": {
        "fuzzy": true,
        "judge": "hunter",
        "question": "the gate-agent verdict is suspicious or malicious for any host",
        "condition": "the gate-agent verdict is suspicious or malicious for any host",
        "blind_spot": "limited-process-visibility",
        "confidence": "high",
        "description": "Open the expensive behavioral queries only if the lead results indicate suspicious activity.",
        "checkpoint_type": "mandatory"
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "gate-agent"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "browser-crypto-access",
      "type": "query",
      "label": "Credential and wallet access",
      "config": {
        "dsl": "sqlite",
        "role": "enrichment",
        "source": "endpoint",
        "content": "SELECT device_hostname, process_name, file_path, activity_name, time FROM hb_file_activity WHERE ('{{scope_hosts}}' = '' OR instr(',' || '{{scope_hosts}}' || ',', ',' || device_hostname || ',') > 0) AND (LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%\\google\\chrome\\user data\\default\\login data%' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%\\wallets\\%' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%\\.wallet%') AND time >= datetime('now', '-{{lookback_days}} days')",
        "surface": "hb_file_activity",
        "description": "Find non-browser processes accessing sensitive browser database files or crypto wallet directories on the flagged hosts.",
        "expected_signal": "A non-browser process reading these paths is a high-confidence indicator of data theft."
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "gate-decision",
          "branch": "on_supports"
        }
      ],
      "primitive_config": {
        "dsl": "sqlite",
        "role": "enrichment",
        "label": "Credential and wallet access",
        "reads": [
          "device_hostname",
          "process_name",
          "file_path",
          "activity_name",
          "time"
        ],
        "source": "hb_file_activity",
        "target": "endpoint",
        "content": "SELECT device_hostname, process_name, file_path, activity_name, time FROM hb_file_activity WHERE ('{{scope_hosts}}' = '' OR instr(',' || '{{scope_hosts}}' || ',', ',' || device_hostname || ',') > 0) AND (LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%\\google\\chrome\\user data\\default\\login data%' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%\\wallets\\%' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%\\.wallet%') AND time >= datetime('now', '-{{lookback_days}} days')",
        "silence": "not_evidence_of_absence",
        "expected": "A non-browser process reading these paths is a high-confidence indicator of data theft.",
        "verified": "dry-run",
        "verified_at": "2026-10-30"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "ransomware-behavior",
      "type": "query",
      "label": "Screen-locker and ransomware impact",
      "config": {
        "dsl": "sqlite",
        "role": "enrichment",
        "source": "endpoint",
        "content": "SELECT device_hostname, process_name, COUNT(*) as file_count, MIN(time) as first_impact, MAX(time) as last_impact FROM hb_file_activity WHERE ('{{scope_hosts}}' = '' OR instr(',' || '{{scope_hosts}}' || ',', ',' || device_hostname || ',') > 0) AND (activity_id = 1 OR activity_id = 5) AND (LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%.locked' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%.enc' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%.nik') AND time >= datetime('now', '-{{lookback_days}} days') GROUP BY device_hostname, process_name",
        "surface": "hb_file_activity",
        "description": "Identify processes that rapidly rename or create files with extensions used by the NIK C2 framework ransomware component.",
        "expected_signal": "A process that creates or renames many files with suspicious extensions confirms an active encryption event. Zero rows means no ransomware impact occurred on these hosts during the window."
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "gate-decision",
          "branch": "on_supports"
        }
      ],
      "primitive_config": {
        "dsl": "sqlite",
        "role": "enrichment",
        "label": "Screen-locker and ransomware impact",
        "reads": [
          "device_hostname",
          "process_name",
          "file_path",
          "activity_id",
          "time"
        ],
        "source": "hb_file_activity",
        "target": "endpoint",
        "content": "SELECT device_hostname, process_name, COUNT(*) as file_count, MIN(time) as first_impact, MAX(time) as last_impact FROM hb_file_activity WHERE ('{{scope_hosts}}' = '' OR instr(',' || '{{scope_hosts}}' || ',', ',' || device_hostname || ',') > 0) AND (activity_id = 1 OR activity_id = 5) AND (LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%.locked' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%.enc' OR LOWER(file_path) LIKE '%.nik') AND time >= datetime('now', '-{{lookback_days}} days') GROUP BY device_hostname, process_name",
        "silence": "not_evidence_of_absence",
        "expected": "A process that creates or renames many files with suspicious extensions confirms an active encryption event. Zero rows means no ransomware impact occurred on these hosts during the window.",
        "verified": "dry-run",
        "verified_at": "2026-10-30"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nik-triage",
      "type": "analytic",
      "label": "Synthesize full investigation",
      "config": {
        "cite": "required",
        "tools": [
          "endpoint"
        ],
        "context": [
          "gate-agent",
          "browser-crypto-access",
          "ransomware-behavior"
        ],
        "objective": "Assess the combined evidence from all queries to confirm the NIK C2 attack chain and its impact on each host.",
        "description": "Correlate the initial implant lead with the behavioral evidence of harvesting and impact.",
        "max_iterations": 6,
        "expected_signal": "A final verdict per host citing the implant presence and its actions.",
        "success_criteria": "A detailed verdict citing process execution, credential access, and file modifications."
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "browser-crypto-access",
          "kind": "merge"
        },
        {
          "id": "ransomware-behavior",
          "kind": "merge"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "nik-route",
      "type": "checkpoint",
      "label": "Route for containment",
      "config": {
        "fuzzy": true,
        "judge": "hunter",
        "question": "the nik-triage verdict is malicious for at least one host",
        "condition": "the nik-triage verdict is malicious for at least one host",
        "blind_spot": "file-auditing-gap",
        "confidence": "high",
        "description": "Route to action if the agent confirms an active NIK C2 intrusion.",
        "checkpoint_type": "mandatory"
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "nik-triage"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "isolate-host",
      "type": "action",
      "label": "Isolate the compromised host",
      "config": {
        "target": "endpoint",
        "description": "Prevent further data exfiltration or ransomware spread.",
        "instructions": "Isolate the host immediately. Revoke any browser or cloud API sessions (OpenAI keys) associated with the user on that host.",
        "action_approval": "required"
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "nik-route",
          "branch": "on_supports"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "analyst-review",
      "type": "task",
      "label": "Conduct forensic review",
      "config": {
        "assignee": "analyst",
        "description": "Confirm the scope of the theft and the ransomware status.",
        "instructions": "Verify the cited file access rows. Examine the host for KMSAuto variants. Check the local OpenAI API key usage if applicable."
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "gate-decision",
          "branch": "default"
        },
        {
          "id": "gate-decision",
          "branch": "on_unavailable"
        },
        {
          "id": "nik-route",
          "branch": "default"
        },
        {
          "id": "nik-route",
          "branch": "on_unavailable"
        },
        {
          "id": "isolate-host"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "close-out",
      "type": "task",
      "label": "Close out the hunt",
      "config": {
        "assignee": "analyst",
        "description": "Document results and tune parameters.",
        "instructions": "Summarize the findings. If malicious activity was found, escalate to IR. If not, record the negative result and update the implant indicators list if new variants are identified."
      },
      "parents": [
        {
          "id": "gate-decision",
          "branch": "on_refutes"
        },
        {
          "id": "nik-route",
          "branch": "on_refutes"
        },
        {
          "id": "analyst-review"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}