Introduction
A dropper is a type of malicious software delivery mechanism that is used to install malware on a victim’s computer or device. It is designed to distribute malware in a stealthy and covert manner, making it difficult for security software to detect and block.
Types of Droppers
There are several different types of droppers, including:
- File-based droppers: These droppers typically disguise themselves as legitimate files or software and are executed by the user, installing malware on the device.
- Document droppers: These droppers use malicious macros in documents to deliver malware when the document is opened.
- Web droppers: These droppers use malicious websites or advertisements to deliver malware when a user visits the site.
Characteristics of Droppers
Droppers often have the following characteristics:
- Obfuscation: Droppers may use encryption or other methods to obfuscate the malware payload, making it harder to detect.
- Self-deletion: Droppers may delete themselves after successfully delivering the malware to avoid detection.
- Anti-analysis techniques: Droppers may employ anti-analysis techniques to evade detection by antivirus software.
Examples of Droppers
One example of a dropper is the Emotet malware, which uses a document dropper to deliver its payload. When a user opens the malicious document and enables macros, the dropper downloads and installs the Emotet malware on the victim’s device.
Case Studies
In 2020, researchers discovered a dropper called Qakbot that was targeting financial institutions. The dropper used legitimate domains to download its payload, making it difficult to block using traditional methods.
Statistics on Droppers
According to a report by McAfee, droppers are one of the most common malware delivery mechanisms, with nearly 30% of all malware families using droppers to infect devices.
