APT / THREAT GROUP

DNSMessenger

aliases

Last seen:Mar 17, 2026

Intelligence Profile

DNSMessenger makes use of DNS TXT record queries and responses to create a bidirectional Command and Control (C2) channel. This allows the attacker to use DNS communications to submit new commands to be run on infected machines and return the results of the command execution to the attacker.

Threat Analysis

DNSMessenger is a known-sophistication threat actor of undetermined national origin, engaged in cyber operations with a primary motivation of unknown activity patterns.

External References

→http://wraithhacker.com/2017/10/11/more-info-on-evolved-dnsmessenger/

→https://blog.apnic.net/2022/03/31/how-to-detect-and-prevent-common-data-exfiltration-attacks/

→https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/03/dnsmessenger.html

→https://blog.talosintelligence.com/2017/10/dnsmessenger-sec-campaign.html

→https://cert.ssi.gouv.fr/uploads/20220427_NP_TLPWHITE_ANSSI_FIN7.pdf

Quick Facts

TypeAPT / Threat Group

Aliases3

Also Known As

DNSMessengerwin.dnsmessengerTEXTMATE

External Intelligence

Malpedia: win.dnsmessenger

Research Links

MITRE ATT&CK VirusTotal Google (news) Twitter/X search

Data sourced from Malpedia, Ransomware.live, RansomLook, and CTIWATCH OSINT collection. Actor attribution is based on available intelligence and may be incomplete.

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