Top 10 Tools Most Used by Cybercriminals in 2024
Introduction
As cybersecurity threats evolve, so do the tools and techniques used by cybercriminals. In 2024, many of these tools are designed to evade detection, automate attacks, and exploit vulnerabilities at scale. By understanding these tools, cybersecurity professionals can develop more effective defense strategies and proactively mitigate potential threats. This article outlines the top 10 tools most commonly used by cybercriminals in 2024, highlighting their capabilities, common attack scenarios, and defensive measures to combat them.1. Cobalt Strike
Overview: Originally developed as a legitimate tool for penetration testers, Cobalt Strike has become one of the most popular tools for cybercriminals. It offers a range of features for remote access, lateral movement, and privilege escalation, making it ideal for advanced attacks.Capabilities:
- Command and Control (C2) capabilities.
- Built-in tools for spear-phishing and social engineering.
- Support for executing payloads and deploying beacons for persistence.
- Monitor for common Cobalt Strike signatures, such as “mimikatz” or “psinject”.
- Use network traffic analysis tools to detect C2 communication patterns.
2. Metasploit Framework
Overview: The Metasploit Framework is another legitimate tool that’s widely misused by cybercriminals. Its extensive exploit library allows attackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities in various systems.Capabilities:
- Contains thousands of exploits for known vulnerabilities.
- Supports payload generation and post-exploitation modules.
- Compatible with scripts and plugins for extended functionality.
- Regular vulnerability assessments to identify and patch exploitable weaknesses.
- Monitor for abnormal activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.
3. Mimikatz
Overview: Mimikatz is a well-known tool for extracting credentials from Windows systems. Despite being widely detected by modern antivirus software, attackers continuously update Mimikatz to bypass defenses.Capabilities:
- Dumps plaintext passwords from memory.
- Extracts Kerberos tickets and NTLM hashes.
- Performs pass-the-hash and pass-the-ticket attacks for lateral movement.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and limit the use of privileged accounts.
- Monitor for abnormal process activities associated with credential dumping.
4. Agent Tesla
Overview: Agent Tesla is an advanced keylogger and information stealer used by cybercriminals to capture keystrokes, screenshots, and clipboard data. It’s often deployed via phishing campaigns and malicious attachments.Capabilities:
- Captures keystrokes, screenshots, and clipboard data.
- Exfiltrates data via email, FTP, or HTTP.
- Steals information from web browsers, VPNs, and email clients.
- Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for keylogger activity.
- Educate users on phishing and social engineering to reduce infection rates.
5. Emotet
Overview: Emotet is a modular malware initially designed as a banking Trojan but has since evolved into a platform for delivering other malware, including ransomware. Emotet is highly resilient and difficult to detect due to its modular structure.Capabilities:
- Delivers secondary payloads such as TrickBot and ransomware.
- Uses polymorphism to avoid detection.
- Propagates through phishing emails and malicious attachments.
- Deploy email filtering and anti-phishing solutions.
- Regularly update security patches to prevent exploitation.
6. Hydra
Overview: Hydra is a brute-force password-cracking tool frequently used to attack various services such as SSH, FTP, HTTP, and MySQL. Hydra is favored by cybercriminals for its speed and flexibility across multiple protocols.Capabilities:
- Brute-force attacks on dozens of protocols.
- Fast, multi-threaded support for large-scale attacks.
- Integration with custom wordlists and dictionaries.
- Implement account lockout policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Monitor for repeated failed login attempts and IP addresses with suspicious behavior.
7. C2CON
Overview: C2CON is a newer Command and Control (C2) tool specifically designed to be modular, scalable, and capable of evading advanced detection systems. Its stealth and flexibility make it a favorite among cybercriminals.Capabilities:
- Establishes C2 channels using HTTPS, DNS tunneling, and WebSocket connections.
- Supports modular payloads and plugins for extended functionality.
- Includes obfuscation techniques to bypass endpoint security tools.
- Use network monitoring and anomaly detection to spot unusual connections.
- Implement strict egress filtering to block unauthorized outbound traffic.
8. Brute Ratel C4
Overview: Brute Ratel C4 is a commercial tool similar to Cobalt Strike but designed to evade detection by advanced security systems. It offers a range of post-exploitation tools and has become a top choice for cybercriminals.Capabilities:
- Stealthy C2 communications and payload delivery.
- Extensive post-exploitation tools, including credential dumping and lateral movement.
- Obfuscation techniques to evade detection by EDRs.
- Regularly update EDR and endpoint protection tools to detect new threats.
- Monitor for unusual C2 traffic, particularly encrypted traffic to untrusted domains.
9. NjRat
Overview: NjRat is a remote access Trojan (RAT) commonly used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to Windows systems. It provides remote control features such as file upload/download, keylogging, and screen capturing.Capabilities:
- Full remote control over infected systems.
- Keylogging, screen capture, and file management capabilities.
- Often used for data exfiltration and surveillance.
- Restrict remote desktop access and use application whitelisting.
- Use EDR solutions to monitor for RAT activity and detect unauthorized access.
10. SQLmap
Overview: SQLmap is an automated tool for detecting and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities. While primarily used by penetration testers, cybercriminals often leverage SQLmap to gain unauthorized access to databases.Capabilities:
- Identifies and exploits SQL injection vulnerabilities.
- Supports automated database enumeration, data extraction, and privilege escalation.
- Compatible with multiple database management systems (DBMS) like MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server.
- Use web application firewalls (WAFs) to block SQL injection attempts.
- Regularly scan web applications for vulnerabilities and secure input validation.
Summary of Tools and Defensive Strategies
| Tool | Primary Use | Common Attack Vectors | Defensive Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobalt Strike | C2 and Post-Exploitation | Phishing, RDP Exploitation | Network traffic analysis, signature-based detection |
| Metasploit | Exploitation | Vulnerability Scanning | Regular vulnerability scanning and patching |
| Mimikatz | Credential Theft | Credential Dumping | MFA, privilege access controls, anomaly monitoring |
| Agent Tesla | Keylogging and Data Theft | Phishing, Social Engineering | EDR, anti-phishing training |
| Emotet | Malware Delivery Platform | Phishing, Drive-by Downloads | Email filtering, regular updates |
| Hydra | Brute-force Attacks | SSH, FTP, HTTP | Account lockouts, MFA |
| C2CON | Command and Control | HTTPS, DNS Tunneling | Anomaly detection, egress filtering |
| Brute Ratel C4 | Stealthy C2 | Phishing, Remote Access | Update EDR tools, monitor for suspicious C2 traffic |
| NjRat | Remote Access Trojan | Phishing, Malicious Attachments | Restrict remote access, EDR solutions |
| SQLmap | SQL Injection Exploitation | Web Applications | WAFs, secure input validation |
