Unusual mail traffic indicating possible implant
Description
AlphaSOC has detected unexpected mail traffic that may indicate the presence of a malware implant. This detection suggests that there is email communication occurring within the network, potentially being used for data exfiltration or command and control (C2) purposes. Threat actors often leverage common protocols to blend their malicious activities with legitimate traffic, making it harder to detect their operations.
Impact
A malware implant using email protocols may allow adversaries to exfiltrate sensitive data, receive commands, or maintain persistent access to the compromised system. This method of communication is particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional security controls and remain undetected for extended periods.
Severity
| Severity | Condition |
|---|---|
Medium | Unusual inbound traffic over POP3 or IMAP ports |
Medium | Unusual outbound traffic over SMTP port |
Investigation and Remediation
Investigate the source and destination of the unexpected mail traffic, examining email logs and headers for suspicious patterns or unknown recipients. Analyze the affected systems for signs of compromise, such as unexpected processes or modified files. If an implant is confirmed, isolate the infected system and conduct a thorough malware analysis.
Known False Positives
- System notifications, alerts, or campaigns sent via email in bulk