Noodle RAT: The Fileless Ghost

Malmon Profile

Classification: APT/Infostealer ⭐⭐⭐
Discovery Credit: Lena Yu, Cybersecurity Researcher, 2023
First Documented: May 2023
Threat Level: Advanced (Fileless persistence specialist)

Malmon Card Reference

Noodle RAT

RAT/Stealth

⭐⭐

Noodle RAT is a stealthy backdoor malware used by Chinese-speaking threat actors for cyber espionage. It features two core variants—fileless and file-based—both supporting key operations like file uploads, downloads, command execution, and self-deletion. Often deployed via DLL side-loading, Noodle RAT blends into compromised systems and maintains persistence with minimal forensic trace.

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Fileless Persistence

Operates entirely in memory with registry-based persistence mechanisms

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Data Harvesting

Systematic collection of credentials, documents, and system information

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APT Infrastructure

Connected to Chinese APT operations with sophisticated command and control

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Advanced Espionage Platform

Develops enhanced lateral movement and data exfiltration capabilities

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Memory Analysis

Vulnerable to memory forensics and behavioral monitoring techniques

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Property Icons:

🔍Detection

🔒Persistence

📡Spread

💣Payload

🥷Evasion

Technical Characteristics

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

Initial Access: T1566.001 (Spearphishing Attachment)
Defense Evasion: T1055 (Process Injection)
Exfiltration: T1041 (Exfiltration Over C2 Channel)

Detailed ATT&CK Analysis

🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Technique Analysis

Technique	Tactic	Description	Mitigation	Detection
T1566.001 Spearphishing Attachment	Initial Access	Targets victims through carefully crafted spearphishing campaigns	Email security, user training, attachment scanning	Email analysis, attachment behavior monitoring, user reporting
T1055 Process Injection	Defense Evasion	Injects malicious code into legitimate processes to avoid detection	Process monitoring, memory protection, behavioral analysis	Process behavior monitoring, memory analysis, API monitoring
T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel	Exfiltration	Exfiltrates collected data through encrypted command and control channels	Network monitoring, egress filtering, traffic analysis	Network traffic analysis, C2 communication patterns, data flow monitoring

IM Facilitation Notes:

Use these techniques to guide player investigation questions
Help players connect evidence to specific ATT&CK techniques
Highlight type effectiveness relationships in responses
Encourage discussion of real-world mitigation strategies

Exfiltration: T1041 (Exfiltration Over C2 Channel)

Core Capabilities

Fileless Operation:

Operates entirely in memory without disk-based artifacts
Uses legitimate system processes for malicious activities
Persists through registry modifications and scheduled tasks
+3 bonus against traditional file-based detection systems

Credential Harvesting:

Dumps passwords from browser stores and system memory
Captures keystrokes and clipboard contents
Steals authentication tokens and session cookies
+2 bonus to credential theft and account compromise

Advanced Evasion (Hidden Ability):

Uses process hollowing and injection techniques
Communicates through encrypted channels mimicking legitimate traffic
Self-destructs when forensic analysis is detected
Evolves into persistent APT with lateral movement capabilities

Type Effectiveness Against Noodle RAT

Understanding which security controls work best against advanced APT/Infostealer threats like Noodle RAT:

Trojan

Weak to: Detection

Resists: Training

Worm

Weak to: Isolation

Resists: Backup

Ransomware

Weak to: Backup

Resists: Encryption

Rootkit

Weak to: Forensics

Resists: Detection

APT

Weak to: Intelligence

Phishing

Weak to: Training

Botnet

Weak to: Coordination

Infostealer

Weak to: Encryption

Key Strategic Insights for IMs:

Most Effective: Behavioral Analysis (detects fileless techniques), Memory Forensics (catches process injection), Threat Intelligence (tracks APT campaigns)
Moderately Effective: Network Monitoring (C2 patterns), Zero Trust Architecture (limits credential reuse), Advanced Endpoint Detection
Least Effective: Signature Detection (fileless operation), Traditional Antivirus (legitimate process abuse), File-based Analysis (no disk artifacts)

APT/Infostealer Considerations:
This represents sophisticated credential theft operations - emphasize advanced detection, memory analysis, and assumption of compromise approaches.

Vulnerabilities

Memory Analysis Detection:

Vulnerable to advanced memory forensics and behavioral analysis
Process injection creates detectable anomalies in system behavior
-3 penalty when defenders use memory analysis tools

Network Behavioral Analysis:

Encrypted communications still create detectable patterns
Command and control traffic has identifiable characteristics
Vulnerable to network behavioral analysis and traffic correlation

Facilitation Guide

Pre-Session Preparation

Choose Noodle RAT When:

Advanced teams ready for sophisticated evasion techniques
Fileless malware and advanced persistence concepts need demonstration
Credential security and access management focus is desired
Memory forensics and behavioral analysis techniques should be explored
APT tactics and stealth operations require illustration

Avoid Noodle RAT When:

Novice teams who haven’t mastered basic malware detection
File-based security focus where fileless techniques aren’t relevant
Time-limited sessions where complexity might prevent adequate exploration

Session Structure Guidance

Discovery Phase (Round 1) Facilitation

Initial Symptoms to Present:

“Users reporting unexpected password changes and account lockouts”
“Network monitoring detects encrypted traffic to suspicious domains”
“No malicious files found despite clear signs of compromise”
“Legitimate system processes consuming unusual amounts of memory”

IM Question Progression:

“How could systems be compromised without any malicious files present?”
“What would cause legitimate processes to behave suspiciously?”
“How might attackers steal credentials without leaving obvious traces?”
“What investigation techniques work when traditional forensics find nothing?”

Expected Player Discovery Path:

Detective: Analyzes memory dumps and process behavior for injection indicators
Protector: Investigates credential compromise and access control bypasses
Tracker: Maps encrypted communications and behavioral network patterns
Communicator: Assesses user reports of account and authentication issues
Crisis Manager: Coordinates response to invisible threat with visible impact
Threat Hunter: Develops techniques for detecting fileless malware and memory-resident threats

Fileless Discovery: Guide toward: “This appears to be a fileless threat operating entirely in memory, making it nearly invisible to traditional detection.”

Investigation Phase (Round 2) Facilitation

Fileless Investigation Techniques:

“How do you investigate threats that leave no files on disk?”
“What forensic techniques work for memory-only malware?”
“How do you preserve evidence of something that exists only in volatile memory?”

Credential Compromise Assessment:

“How do you determine what credentials have been stolen without obvious indicators?”
“What accounts and systems might be compromised through stolen credentials?”
“How do you assess the scope of access an attacker might have gained?”

Advanced Evasion Analysis:

“How do you detect process injection and hollowing techniques?”
“What makes encrypted command and control traffic suspicious?”
“How do you distinguish between legitimate and malicious memory usage?”

Response Phase (Round 3) Facilitation

Specialized Response Techniques:

“How do you respond to threats that traditional tools can’t detect?”
“What combination of techniques gives you the best chance of finding memory-resident malware?”
“How do you ensure complete removal of threats that don’t exist as files?”

Credential Security Response:

“What immediate steps are needed when credential theft is suspected?”
“How do you prevent lateral movement using stolen credentials?”
“What long-term changes are needed to prevent credential-based attacks?”

Advanced Facilitation Techniques

Fileless Malware Education

Memory Forensics Concepts:

Help teams understand how malware can operate without files
Guide discussion of memory analysis techniques and tools
Explore the challenges of preserving volatile evidence

Behavioral Analysis Focus:

Discuss how behavior-based detection works for fileless threats
Explore the importance of baseline understanding for anomaly detection
Guide development of hunting techniques for advanced persistent threats

Credential Security Deep Dive

Access Management Strategy:

Discuss multi-factor authentication and zero-trust principles
Explore credential management and privileged access controls
Guide teams through credential compromise response procedures

Lateral Movement Prevention:

Help teams understand how stolen credentials enable network traversal
Discuss network segmentation and access control strategies
Explore monitoring and detection for credential abuse

Real-World Learning Connections

Advanced Threat Detection

Memory forensics and behavioral analysis techniques
Network traffic analysis for encrypted communications
Process monitoring and injection detection
Threat hunting methodologies for advanced persistent threats

Credential Security Management

Multi-factor authentication implementation and management
Privileged access management and least privilege principles
Credential monitoring and compromise detection
Zero-trust architecture and identity-based security

Incident Response Evolution

Adapting response procedures for fileless and memory-resident threats
Volatile evidence preservation and memory forensics
Advanced threat actor tactics and countermeasures
Coordination between technical analysis and business protection

Assessment and Learning Objectives

Success Indicators

Team Successfully:

Recognizes fileless malware characteristics and detection challenges
Understands memory forensics and behavioral analysis concepts
Develops response strategies for advanced persistent threats
Demonstrates understanding of credential security and access management
Coordinates technical analysis with business impact assessment

Advanced Learning Indicators:**

Discusses threat hunting techniques for memory-resident malware
Explores zero-trust architecture and identity-based security
Considers long-term defensive strategies against APT tactics
Demonstrates understanding of advanced evasion techniques and countermeasures

Post-Session Reflection Questions

“How does fileless malware change your approach to threat detection?”
“What detection strategies work against memory-resident threats?”
“How do you balance security with usability in credential management?”
“What organizational changes are needed to defend against advanced persistent threats?”

Community Contributions and Extensions

Advanced Scenarios

Zero-Day Exploitation: Fileless delivery through unknown vulnerabilities
Living-off-the-Land: Using only legitimate tools for malicious purposes
Supply Chain Integration: Fileless compromise through trusted software
Insider Threat: Malicious use of legitimate access and credentials

Strategic Applications

Threat Hunting Program Development: Building capabilities for advanced threat detection
Zero-Trust Implementation: Designing identity-based security architectures
Memory Forensics Training: Developing organizational capabilities for fileless threat analysis
Credential Security Strategy: Implementing comprehensive access management programs

Noodle RAT represents the cutting edge of malware evasion, demonstrating how advanced threats adapt to security controls and requiring organizations to evolve beyond traditional file-based detection toward behavioral analysis and memory forensics.