DDoS Botnet Now Can Detect Denial-Of-Service Defenses

DDoS Botnet Now Can Detect Denial-Of-Service Defenses: Bad news for DDoS mitigation methods: A new version of an infamous distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) toolkit can check victims’ networks for DDoS mitigation methods so it can circumvent those defenses.

DirtJumper Drive, a DIY kit that makes it easy for anyone to create their own botnet to DDoS a target, has been evolving over the past year. This summer, Arbor Networks’ ASERT team discovered that the malware had begun to obfuscate its communique with bots. Now DirtJumper Drive is fighting back against DDoS mitigation services.

“We found one attack that was searching for DDoS mitigation techniques and trying to actively bypass those so it can get through to its target and get the target down,” says Jason Jones, a security research analyst with ASERT. The attack appeared to be against a financial industry organization, he says.

“This time, they are definitely going after us and others in the DDoS mitigation space. I want to make sure we share enough information, samples, and future [ways] to identify it … It’s definitely a step up in the protection game for us,” he says.

It also signals a turning point in DDoS attacks. “Historically, DDoS malware has not been as sophisticated as other malware and not as advanced,” he says. “It will be harder to detect.”

DirtJumper, which was created by a Russian-speaking malware writer allegedly known as “sokol,” can cost as little as $150 in the underground, according to DDoS mitigation provider Prolexic.