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MITRE ATT&CK® Malware

S0348: Cardinal RAT

Cardinal RAT is a potentially low volume remote access trojan (RAT) observed since December 2015. Cardinal RAT is notable for its unique utilization of uncompiled C# source code and the Microsoft Windows built-in csc.exe compiler.[1]

EnterpriseS0348MalwareObject v1.2Modified
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Glexia's Take · Automated analysis

Security context for executives and security teams

Automation confidenceMedium

Cardinal RAT matters because it represents a Windows remote access capability that may arrive as source code and compile on the endpoint using Microsoft’s built-in csc.exe compiler. That shifts defensive value from only blocking known binaries to validating whether endpoints log compiler use, registry changes, discovery activity, command shell execution, and web-based command-and-control behavior. For leaders, the practical question is whether the organization can prove visibility and response coverage for a low-volume RAT that blends host discovery, credential collection, persistence, obfuscation, and C2 resilience.

Executive priority

Prioritize this as a coverage-validation issue for Windows endpoint monitoring, identity risk, and incident response readiness. The ATT&CK relationships show behaviors tied to persistence, credential access, collection, discovery, defense evasion, and command-and-control. Executives should ask whether SOC and IR teams can reconstruct: how a malicious file executed, whether csc.exe compiled suspicious code, what registry persistence changed, what user or system information was collected, and what outbound web/proxy/fallback channels were used. This is also useful evidence for audit and compliance programs that require demonstrable endpoint logging, malware response procedures, and control validation rather than reliance on signature detection alone.

Technical view

Cardinal RAT is documented for Windows and is notable for use of uncompiled C# source code with the Windows csc.exe compiler. ATT&CK relationships associate it with compile-after-delivery, encoded/encrypted files, deobfuscation, process injection, command shell execution, registry query/modify activity, Run Key or Startup Folder persistence, discovery of users/processes/system/files, keylogging, screen capture, archive-via-library collection, ingress tool transfer, and web/proxy/fallback encrypted C2 patterns. SOC teams should validate correlations across endpoint process creation, compiler invocation, registry writes, file creation/deletion, suspicious child processes from cmd.exe or csc.exe, and outbound network sessions that resemble web traffic but do not match normal application behavior.

Likely telemetry

  • Windows endpoint process creation and command-line logging, especially csc.exe and cmd.exe execution context
  • File creation, modification, deletion, and temporary source-code or compiled-artifact activity
  • Windows Registry query and modification events, including Run Keys and Startup Folder persistence locations
  • EDR telemetry for process injection or unusual cross-process memory activity
  • User/session discovery, process enumeration, system information discovery, and file/directory enumeration events

Detection direction

  • Do not rely only on known malware hashes; the described use of uncompiled C# and csc.exe makes compiler and build-artifact telemetry important.
  • Baseline legitimate csc.exe use by developers, build servers, administrative tools, and software installers to reduce false positives before alerting on compiler execution.
  • Correlate suspicious csc.exe execution with nearby malicious-file execution, encoded files, deobfuscation, file deletion, registry persistence, or outbound network activity.
  • Monitor registry modifications and queries together: discovery of configuration followed by Run Key or Startup Folder changes is higher-value than either event alone.
  • Tune command-shell detections around unusual parent/child process chains and execution from user-writable or temporary paths where local evidence supports that pattern.

Mitigation priorities

  • Establish and test Windows endpoint logging for process command lines, registry changes, file events, and network connections before an incident occurs.
  • Control and monitor use of built-in compilers such as csc.exe on non-development endpoints where business need is limited.
  • Harden user execution paths and reduce exposure to malicious files through attachment handling, user awareness, and endpoint prevention controls.
  • Restrict persistence opportunities by monitoring and governing Registry Run Keys and Startup Folder locations.
  • Apply least privilege so registry modification, process manipulation, and persistence attempts have reduced success likelihood.
Additional notes and limits

The strongest defensive lead from the supplied object is Cardinal RAT’s reported use of uncompiled C# source code and Windows csc.exe, combined with its ATT&CK relationships across discovery, stealth, persistence, collection, and command-and-control. The object does not provide official detection guidance, so recommended validation is derived from the supplied relationships and platform field rather than a MITRE-provided analytic.

The supplied ATT&CK object lists Windows as the malware platform and provides no official detection text, aliases, labels, or specified malware-level tactics. Relationship techniques include broader platform lists, but those do not expand Cardinal RAT’s supplied platform beyond Windows. Local baselines are required to distinguish legitimate compiler, registry, command shell, web traffic, archive, and administrative activity from malicious behavior.

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Official MITRE ATT&CK definition

Cardinal RAT

Cardinal RAT is a potentially low volume remote access trojan (RAT) observed since December 2015. Cardinal RAT is notable for its unique utilization of uncompiled C# source code and the Microsoft Windows built-in csc.exe compiler.[1]

View the same entry on attack.mitre.org (MITRE-hosted reference; in-page links above use the Glexia ATT&CK library.)

Glexia analysis

How security teams should use this page

Treat this object as behavior context, not an attribution claim. Validate the related groups, software, data sources, and mitigations against official ATT&CK relationships and your own telemetry before making control-coverage decisions.

ATT&CK relationship table

Techniques used

This mirrors the MITRE pattern of making group, software, campaign, and technique relationships scannable. Relationship notes come from mirrored ATT&CK relationship text when available.

22 rows
DomainIDNameRelationship / procedure
EnterpriseT1059.003Windows Command ShellSub-technique

Cardinal RAT can execute commands.[1]

EnterpriseT1105Ingress Tool Transfer

Cardinal RAT can download and execute additional payloads.[1]

EnterpriseT1083File and Directory Discovery

Cardinal RAT checks its current working directory upon execution and also contains watchdog functionality that ensures its executable is located in the correct path (else it will rewrite the payload).[1]

EnterpriseT1033System Owner/User Discovery

Cardinal RAT can collect the username from a victim machine.[1]

EnterpriseT1056.001KeyloggingSub-technique

Cardinal RAT can log keystrokes.[1]

EnterpriseT1573.001Symmetric CryptographySub-technique

Cardinal RAT uses a secret key with a series of XOR and addition operations to encrypt C2 traffic.[1]

EnterpriseT1204.002Malicious FileSub-technique

Cardinal RAT lures victims into executing malicious macros embedded within Microsoft Excel documents.[1]

EnterpriseT1560.002Archive via LibrarySub-technique

Cardinal RAT applies compression to C2 traffic using the ZLIB library.[1]

EnterpriseT1012Query Registry

Cardinal RAT contains watchdog functionality that periodically ensures HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Load is set to point to its executable.[1]

EnterpriseT1027.004Compile After DeliverySub-technique

Cardinal RAT and its watchdog component are compiled and executed after being delivered to victims as embedded, uncompiled source code.[1]

EnterpriseT1090Proxy

Cardinal RAT can act as a reverse proxy.[1]

EnterpriseT1055Process Injection

Cardinal RAT injects into a newly spawned process created from a native Windows executable.[1]

EnterpriseT1070.004File DeletionSub-technique

Cardinal RAT can uninstall itself, including deleting its executable.[1]

EnterpriseT1140Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

Cardinal RAT decodes many of its artifacts and is decrypted (AES-128) after being downloaded.[1]

EnterpriseT1082System Information Discovery

Cardinal RAT can collect the hostname, Microsoft Windows version, and processor architecture from a victim machine.[1]

EnterpriseT1008Fallback Channels

Cardinal RAT can communicate over multiple C2 host and port combinations.[1]

EnterpriseT1071.001Web ProtocolsSub-technique

Cardinal RAT is downloaded using HTTP over port 443.[1]

EnterpriseT1112Modify Registry

Cardinal RAT sets HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Load to point to its executable.[1]

EnterpriseT1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup FolderSub-technique

Cardinal RAT establishes Persistence by setting the HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Load Registry key to point to its executable.[1]

EnterpriseT1057Process Discovery

Cardinal RAT contains watchdog functionality that ensures its process is always running, else spawns a new instance.[1]

EnterpriseT1113Screen Capture

Cardinal RAT can capture screenshots.[1]

EnterpriseT1027.013Encrypted/Encoded FileSub-technique

Cardinal RAT encodes many of its artifacts and is encrypted (AES-128) when downloaded.[1]

Relationship explorer

All related ATT&CK context

uses · TechniqueT1059.003: Windows Command ShellEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1105: Ingress Tool TransferEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1083: File and Directory DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1033: System Owner/User DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1056.001: KeyloggingEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1573.001: Symmetric CryptographyEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1204.002: Malicious FileEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1560.002: Archive via LibraryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1012: Query RegistryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1027.004: Compile After DeliveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1090: ProxyEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1055: Process InjectionEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1070.004: File DeletionEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1140: Deobfuscate/Decode Files or InformationEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1082: System Information DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1008: Fallback ChannelsEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1071.001: Web ProtocolsEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1112: Modify RegistryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1547.001: Registry Run Keys / Startup FolderEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1057: Process DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1113: Screen CaptureEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1027.013: Encrypted/Encoded FileEnterprise
Change history

Object version and sync metadata

The fields below describe the current mirrored snapshot. When Glexia retains multiple ATT&CK source imports, you can open the table to compare the same object across releases (hashes and MITRE timestamps). For MITRE’s own release notes and roadmap, see ATT&CK resources — Updates.

ATT&CK release
19.1
Object version
1.2
Created
Modified
Raw hash
2d4584079f0bb473...
Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases(1)
ReleaseBundle importedObject versionModifiedStatusRaw hash
19.11.2Current bundle2d4584079f0b…
Raw source

Mirrored ATT&CK source object

The raw object is retained through the mirrored ATT&CK source bundle and object hash. The raw endpoint returns the exact object from the mirrored bundle when available.

Open mirrored raw JSONOpen MITRE-hosted copy
Source references

External references and citations

MITRE external references are preserved separately from Glexia analysis so citations remain traceable to their original source records.

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    PaloAlto CardinalRat Apr 2017

    Grunzweig, J.. (2017, April 20). Cardinal RAT Active for Over Two Years. Retrieved December 8, 2018.

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    Grunzweig, J.. (2017, April 20). Cardinal RAT Active for Over Two Years. Retrieved December 8, 2018.

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    mitre-attackS0348
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    mitre-attackS0348
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    Grunzweig, J.. (2017, April 20). Cardinal RAT Active for Over Two Years. Retrieved December 8, 2018.

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    Grunzweig, J.. (2017, April 20). Cardinal RAT Active for Over Two Years. Retrieved December 8, 2018.

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Source and licensing

Source: MITRE ATT&CK®. © 2026 The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation. MITRE ATT&CK and ATT&CK are registered trademarks of The MITRE Corporation. Glexia is not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE.

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