Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
Darktrace has discovered a new Go-based botnet, named PumaBot, that is targeting Internet of Things (IoT) devices and avoiding scanning by using a C2 server to acquire targets and then use brute-force attacks to grab SSH credentials.
PumaBot retrieves a list of targets from a command-and-control server and then establishes persistence, using system service files.
After harvesting a list of IP addresses for IoT devices with open SSH ports, PumaBot identifies a valid SSH credential pair, logs in, self-deploys, and begins the replication process. PumaBot uses a trySSHLogin() function to perform environment fingerprint checks to avoid getting trapped in honeypots or execution environments (such as restricted shells) that are suitable for its needs. If the environment passes the checks, the malware runs the uname -a command to discover the operating system type, kernel version, and architecture. After that, it disguises itself as a legitimate Redis system file, creates a systemd service, and adds its own SSH keys to the user's authorized_keys file.
PumaBot does not automatically propagate like a traditional worm, but it does present worm-like behavior.
According to Darktrace, it's important to monitor for anomalous SSH login activity, audit systemd services, inspect the authorized_keys file, filter or alert on outbound HTTP requests with nonstandard headers (such as X-API-KEY), and apply strict firewall rules to limit SSH exposure.

Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.