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ShadowGuard rootkit and Diaoyu loader on Linux

Malware Activity
First reported
Last updated
Happening score
H score 14
1 unique sources, 1 articles

Summary

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Researchers identified the ShadowGuard Linux eBPF rootkit and Diaoyu loader as part of the operation’s malware toolkit, adding a stealthy Linux payload-delivery layer that can hide processes and fetch Cobalt Strike or VShell. The tooling is built to evade inspection before loading follow-on payloads. ShadowGuard can conceal up to 32 PIDs and hide files and directories named swsecret. The finding shows a purpose-built malware stack rather than generic phishing infrastructure.

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Timeline

  1. 07.02.2026 17:09 1 articles · 3mo ago

    Diaoyu loader and ShadowGuard rootkit analysis

    Technical Analysis Update

    Researchers detailed a Linux malware toolkit used in Shadow Campaigns that pairs the Diaoyu loader with a custom eBPF rootkit called ShadowGuard. The loader arrives through malicious archives hosted on Mega.nz, checks for pic1.png and security-product processes such as Kaspersky, Avira, Bitdefender, Sentinel One, and Norton (Symantec), and can fetch Cobalt Strike payloads or the VShell framework when its analysis-evasion checks succeed. ShadowGuard hides malicious process information at the kernel level and conceals files and directories to help the operator maintain stealth on compromised Linux hosts.

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