APT / THREAT GROUP

HOTWAX

aliases

Last seen:Mar 17, 2026

Intelligence Profile

HOTWAX is a module that upon starting imports all necessary system API functions, and searches for a .CHM file. HOTWAX decrypts a payload using the Spritz algorithm with a hard-coded key and then searches the target process and attempts to inject the decrypted payload module from the CHM file into the address space of the target process.

Threat Analysis

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

External References

→https://baesystemsai.blogspot.com/2017/02/lazarus-false-flag-malware.html

→https://content.fireeye.com/apt/rpt-apt38

→https://media.kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2018/03/07180244/Lazarus_Under_The_Hood_PDF_final.pdf

→https://raw.githubusercontent.com/eric-erki/APT_CyberCriminal_Campagin_Collections/master/2017/2017.05.30.Lazarus_Arisen/Group-IB_Lazarus.pdf

→https://securelist.com/lazarus-under-the-hood/77908/

Quick Facts

TypeAPT / Threat Group

Aliases2

Also Known As

HOTWAXwin.hotwax

External Intelligence

Malpedia: win.hotwax

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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