KINWILDER

Malsmoke

No sourced public emblem in this profile.

reference profile · reported nexus: Unknown (not nationality)

Malsmoke primarily targets Japanese users through malvertising campaigns that deliver Zloader malware, often leveraging adult content lures and geographic IP information. The group has transitioned from exploit kits, such as Fallout, to social engineering tactics, including fake Java updates, while maintaining a focus on high-traffic adult websites. Their operations are characterized by the use of DGA for C2 server domains and the distribution of payloads via a custom loader, previously relying on Smoke Loader. Connections to past campaigns are evident through similarities in malware masquerading as Java plugins and shared registrar information among domains.

Source-reported aliases: . Associations do not prove equivalence.

Target geography

Catalog-listed countries (associations, not attack counts): No country-level metadata

No bound claim-post feed for this label.

Historical casebook

No dated record curated yet; absence does not establish inactivity.

Planned Kinwilder coverage

Tentative editorial review windows, contingent on evidence and review; not promised publication dates or predictions of attacks.

No assigned review window.

References

Pinned source catalog

https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-analysis/2020/11/malsmoke-operators-abandon-exploit-kits-in-favor-of-social-engineering-scheme/

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/social-engineering/2020/09/malvertising-campaigns-come-back-in-full-swing

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