Hidden malware in DNS records bypasses defences

PowerShell stagers delivered via DNS pave the way for potentially more harmful malware to load.
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Security researchers at DomainTools have revealed a novel and stealthy cyberattack method: embedding malware within DNS records. Attackers are storing tiny, encoded pieces of malicious code inside TXT records across multiple subdomains.

The fragments are individually benign, but once fetched and reassembled, typically using PowerShell, they form fully operational malware, including Joke Screenmate prankware and a more serious PowerShell stager that can download further payloads.

DNS traffic is often treated as trustworthy and bypasses many security controls. The growing use of encrypted DNS services like DoH and DoT makes visibility even harder, creating an ideal channel for covert malware delivery.

Reported cases include the fragmentation of Joke Screenmate across hundreds of subdomain TXT records and instances of Covenant C2 stagers hidden in this manner.

Security teams are urged to ramp up DNS analytics, monitor uncommon TXT query patterns, and utilize comprehensive threat intelligence feeds. While still rare in the wild, this technique’s simplicity and stealthiness suggest it could gain traction soon

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