![[Image: Gold-Alduin-botnet-.png]](https://blackhattool.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gold-Alduin-botnet-.png)
Key Features of the Gold Alduin Botnet1. Multi-Stage Infection ProcessGold Alduin typically spreads through:
- Phishing emails with malicious attachments
- Exploit kits targeting unpatched software vulnerabilities
- Drive-by downloads from compromised websites
- Malvertising (malicious ads)
2. Command-and-Control (C2) CommunicationThe botnet communicates with its C2 servers using:
- Encrypted channels (HTTPS, DNS tunneling)
- Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs) to evade blacklisting
- Fast-flux DNS to hide the real C2 server locations
- Login credentials (browser-stored passwords, FTP, SSH)
- Cryptocurrency wallet data
- Credit card information
- Documents, screenshots, and keystrokes
- TCP/UDP floods
- HTTP/HTTPS attacks
- DNS amplification attacks
- Ransomware deployment
- Proxy services for cybercriminals
- Spam email campaigns
- Code obfuscation to hinder reverse engineering
- Sandbox detection to avoid analysis environments
- Kill-switch mechanisms to self-destruct if detected