The campaign typically begins with phishing emails that contain Dropbox links. These links deliver files using double extensions, such as .pdf.url, which are designed to mislead recipients into believing they are opening legitimate documents. When the files are opened, victims unknowingly download multi-stage scripts from TryCloudflare domains. At the same time, a genuine PDF document is displayed to reduce suspicion and delay user awareness of malicious activity.
A notable aspect of this operation is the attackers’ use of legitimate software sources. The malware chain includes downloading official Python distributions directly from Python.org. Once installed, a full Python environment is set up on the compromised system. This environment is then leveraged to execute advanced code injection techniques, specifically targeting the Windows explorer.exe process, allowing the malware to run stealthily within a trusted system component.
To maintain long-term access, the attackers rely on multiple persistence mechanisms. These include placing scripts such as ahke.bat and olsm.bat in Windows startup folders so they automatically execute when a user logs in. The campaign also uses WebDAV mounting to sustain communication with command-and-control servers hosted through Cloudflare tunnels.
The threat actors heavily employ so-called “living-off-the-land” techniques, abusing built-in Windows tools such as PowerShell, Windows Script Host, and other native utilities. By blending malicious behavior with legitimate system operations, the attackers further complicate detection and analysis, as their activity closely resembles normal administrative actions.
According to research cited by Trend Micro, the use of Cloudflare’s infrastructure creates a significant blind spot for many security solutions. Domains containing “trycloudflare.com” often appear trustworthy, allowing AsyncRAT payloads to be delivered without triggering immediate alerts. This abuse of reputable services highlights how attackers increasingly rely on legitimate platforms to scale operations and evade defenses.
Security researchers warn that although known malicious repositories and infrastructure may be taken down, similar campaigns are likely to reappear using new domains and delivery methods. Monitoring WebDAV connections, scrutinizing traffic involving TryCloudflare domains, and closely analyzing phishing attachments remain critical steps in identifying and mitigating AsyncRAT infections.
