FAKEUPDATESFakeUpdates

FAKEUPDATES is a downloader written in JavaScript that communicates via HTTP. Supported payload types include executables and JavaScript. It writes the payloads to disk prior to launching them. FAKEUPDATES has led to further compromise via additional malware families that include CHTHONIC, DRIDEX, EMPIRE, KOADIC, DOPPELPAYMER, and AZORULT. FAKEUPDATES has been heavily used by UNC1543,a financially motivated group. SocGholish, first appearing in late 2017 and rising to prominence in mid-2018, has been used to describe both the web drive-by download network used to infect victims and the JavaScript-based loader malware that targets Windows systems.