A newly identified botnet named “HTTPBot” has emerged as a significant cybersecurity threat, executing over 200 precision-targeted distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks since April 2025. This malware primarily targets the gaming industry, technology firms, educational institutions, and tourism platforms in China. Notably, HTTPBot deviates from typical botnet behavior by focusing on Windows systems and employing sophisticated evasion techniques.
Emergence and Rapid Expansion
First detected in August 2024 by NSFOCUS Fuying Lab, HTTPBot is a Trojan developed in the Go programming language. Unlike many botnets that exploit Linux or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, HTTPBot specifically targets Windows platforms. Its activity surged in April 2025, with over 200 attack instructions issued, indicating a rapid expansion and aggressive targeting strategy.
Technical Sophistication and Attack Mechanisms
HTTPBot is engineered for stealth and precision. Upon infection, it conceals its graphical user interface to evade detection by users and security tools. It manipulates the Windows Registry to ensure persistence, allowing it to execute automatically upon system startup.
The botnet communicates with command-and-control (C2) servers to receive instructions for launching HTTP flood attacks. These attacks are characterized by high-volume HTTP requests designed to overwhelm targeted servers. HTTPBot supports multiple attack modules, including:
- BrowserAttack: Utilizes hidden instances of Google Chrome to mimic legitimate user traffic, exhausting server resources.
- HttpAutoAttack: Employs cookie-based methods to simulate authentic sessions accurately.
- HttpFpDlAttack: Leverages the HTTP/2 protocol to increase server CPU load by inducing large response payloads.
- WebSocketAttack: Establishes WebSocket connections using “ws://” and “wss://” protocols to maintain persistent communication channels.
- PostAttack: Conducts attacks using HTTP POST requests to bypass certain security measures.
- CookieAttack: Enhances the BrowserAttack method by adding complex cookie processing flows.
These modules enable HTTPBot to perform highly targeted attacks that can bypass traditional security defenses by closely mimicking legitimate user behavior.
Strategic Targeting and Impact
HTTPBot’s attacks are notably precise, focusing on critical business interfaces such as game login and payment systems. This targeted approach signifies a shift from broad-spectrum DDoS attacks to strategic disruptions aimed at specific services, posing significant risks to industries reliant on real-time interactions.
The botnet’s ability to simulate legitimate traffic patterns allows it to evade detection mechanisms that rely on identifying abnormal traffic volumes or patterns, making it a formidable threat to targeted organizations.
Implications for Cybersecurity
The emergence of HTTPBot underscores the evolving nature of cyber threats, where attackers develop more sophisticated tools to bypass existing security measures. Organizations, particularly those in the gaming, technology, education, and tourism sectors, must enhance their cybersecurity strategies to detect and mitigate such advanced threats.
Implementing behavioral analysis tools, regular system audits, and employee training on cybersecurity best practices are essential steps in defending against threats like HTTPBot.
Conclusion
HTTPBot represents a significant advancement in botnet capabilities, combining stealth, precision, and adaptability. Its focus on Windows systems and ability to mimic legitimate traffic make it a challenging adversary for traditional security infrastructures. As cyber threats continue to evolve, proactive and adaptive cybersecurity measures are crucial in safeguarding critical digital assets against such sophisticated attacks.