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Infoblox Threat Intel

Decoy Dog

Decoy Dog is a malware toolkit that uses DNS for command and control (C2), allowing compromised clients to communicate with an attacker via DNS queries through a purpose-built DNS name server. Discovered and dissected through DNS query logs, Decoy Dog is used by multiple actors and went undetected for over a year by the industry. It was first used in the Russia-Ukraine war, but as the number of actors has spread, it might be used beyond Eastern Europe.

  • Operating since: At least April 2022
  • Infoblox discovered: March 2023
  • Infoblox published: April 2023, July 2023
  • Prevalence: Very rare

Threat actor resources

Webinar

Dr. Renée Burton
September 5, 2023

Decoy Dog is No Ordinary Pupy: Separating a Sly DNS Malware from the Pack

In April 2023, Infoblox disclosed the discovery of Decoy Dog, a malware toolkit that uses the domain name system (DNS) to perform command and control (C2).

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Press Release

Infoblox Threat Intel
July 25, 2023

Decoy Dog is No Ordinary Pupy – Infoblox Reveals Shift in Malware Tactics After Initial Discovery

Infoblox discovers that open-source software Pupy is a smokescreen for the real capabilities of Decoy Dog – highlighting the critical need for DNS security.

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Blog

Infoblox Threat Intel
July 25, 2023

Decoy Dog is No Ordinary Pupy: Separating a Sly DNS Malware from the Pack

The article provides a brief overview of our conclusions. Get the full report, including our Decoy Dog YARA rule, here and read the original paper here.

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Report

Infoblox Threat Intel
July 25, 2023

Decoy Dog is No Ordinary Pupy: Separating a Sly DNS Malware from the Pack

Decoy Dog is a malware toolkit discovered by Infoblox that uses the domain name system
(DNS) to perform command and control (C2).

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Media Article

Gestalt IT
May 11, 2023

Infoblox Uncovers Decoy Dog

Infoblox has released a threat report on a remote access trojan toolkit called “Decoy Dog” that utilized DNS command and control and went undetected for a year in various sectors across multiple regions.

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Media Article

TechRepublic
May 2, 2023

Infoblox discovers rare Decoy Dog C2 exploit

Domain security firm Infoblox discovered a command-and-control exploit that, while extremely rare and complex, could be a warning growl from a new, as-yet anonymous state actor.

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Media Article

Bleeping Computer
April 23, 2023

Decoy Dog malware toolkit found after analyzing 70 billion daily DNS queries

A new enterprise-targeting malware toolkit called ‘Decoy Dog’ has been discovered after inspecting anomalous DNS traffic that is distinctive from regular internet activity.

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Blog

Infoblox Threat Intel
April 20, 2023

Dog Hunt: Finding Decoy Dog Toolkit via Anomalous DNS Traffic

Infoblox analyzes over 70 billion DNS records each day, along with millions of domain-related records from other sources, to identify suspicious and malicious domains throughout the internet.

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