When a RAT Gets Trapped – The Curious Case of Chaos

In cybersecurity, some stories are so ironic they almost write themselves. Imagine creating a tool meant to help manage your devices remotely and then hackers turn it into a weapon to control your computer. That’s the strange tale of Chaos RAT.

Originally an open-source remote access tool (RAT), Chaos was created to help users manage computers from a far. But soon enough, cybercriminals realized its potential and gave it a dark twist.

What Exactly is Chaos RAT?

Chaos RAT (Remote Access Trojan) is like a remote control for computers. Written in Golang, it works on both Windows and Linux meaning it’s super flexible and easy to use across systems. Unfortunately, this flexibility also made it attractive to hackers. Since 2022, they’ve been using Chaos RAT to:

• Spy on victims
• Steal data
• Sneak in ransomware
• Launch cryptojacking campaigns (stealing your computer’s power to mine crypto)

What’s New in 2025?

According to researchers at Acronis, Chaos RAT is still active, and new variants are making rounds especially targeting Linux users. A recent attack even disguised the RAT as a network troubleshooting tool, tricking users into downloading it.

How Does Chaos RAT Work?

1. Initial Entry
       It usually starts with a phishing email or a malicious download link. Recently, attackers disguised it as a "network trouble shooting tool" for Linux users.
2. Installation & Persistence
       It tweaks system settings to stay hidden and automatically re-downloads it self if deleted. This stealthy behavior is perfect for long-term spying or data theft.
3. Full Remote Access
       Once installed, the attacker can:
    
   • See your files
    
   • Take screenshots
    
   • Download/upload/delete files
    
   • Restart or shut down your machine
    
   • Run commands just like they’re sitting at your keyboard
4. Cross-Platform Power Whether you're on Windows or Linux, Chaos RAT can adapt making it a Swiss Army knife for cyber criminals.

Not Just a Threat, Also Vulnerable

Here’s the plot twist. A critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-30850) was discovered inside ChaosRAT itself. Ironically, the tool used to hack others could now be hacked.

How? The panel that builds malware allowed attackers to sneak in malicious commands a classic case of command injection. Another bug (CVE-2024-31839) enabled cross-site scripting (XSS) where attackers could hijack the admin's browser session and make them do things unknowingly. Cybersecurity researchers even “Rickrolled” the admin panel (yes, they made it play Never Gonna Give You Up 🎶 as a proof-of-concept).

Why Should You Care?

Even though Chaos RAT isn’t as widespread as other malware, it’s actively evolving and has low detection rates. That makes it dangerous, especially for:

• Organizations running Linux servers
• Tech-savvy users tricked into downloading "utilities"
• Companies without good endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems

What You Can Do

If you're a security professional:

• Use YARA rules and EDR tools to detect suspicious Chaos RAT behavior.
• Hunt for signs like encoded configurations or unauthorized crontab edits.
• Update your threat detection systems with the latest IOCs (Indicators of Compromise).

If you're a regular user:

• Don't download unknown tools, even if they seem useful.
• Avoid clicking links in random emails. Seriously.
• Keep your OS and software updated both Windows and Linux.