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MITRE ATT&CK® Tool

S0434: Imminent Monitor

Imminent Monitor was a commodity remote access tool (RAT) offered for sale from 2012 until 2019, when an operation was conducted to take down the Imminent Monitor infrastructure. Various cracked versions and variations of this RAT are still in circulation.[1]

EnterpriseS0434ToolObject v1.1Modified
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Glexia's Take · Automated analysis

Security context for executives and security teams

Automation confidenceHigh

Imminent Monitor matters because it represents a commodity Windows remote access tool with cracked variants still circulating after its original infrastructure takedown. For leaders, the key risk is not a single named campaign but the operational reality that inexpensive RAT capability can combine remote control, credential collection, user surveillance, discovery, exfiltration, stealth, and defense impairment behaviors. That makes endpoint visibility, credential protection, and incident response readiness more important than relying on takedown history alone.

Executive priority

Prioritize this as a validation use case for Windows endpoint resilience and SOC readiness. Ask whether the organization can prove it collects enough endpoint, authentication, process, file, peripheral-use, and network evidence to investigate RAT activity. The relationships to APT-C-36 and TA2541 show relevance to espionage and cybercriminal tradecraft in sectors including government, financial, energy, manufacturing, aviation, aerospace, transportation, and defense, but local exposure must be assessed from your own telemetry and threat model.

Technical view

MITRE does not provide object-specific detection guidance for Imminent Monitor, so defenders should validate coverage through the related ATT&CK behaviors: RDP use, obfuscated files, C2-channel exfiltration, keylogging, process and file discovery, command/script execution, file deletion, native API use, audio/video capture, deobfuscation, compute hijacking, browser credential access, hidden files/directories, and disabling or modifying tools. Because the tool platform is listed as Windows, prioritize Windows endpoint telemetry and correlate suspicious process behavior, credential access indicators, abnormal RDP sessions, unexplained outbound C2-like communications, file hiding/deletion, and security tool tampering.

Likely telemetry

  • Windows endpoint process creation and command-line telemetry
  • Endpoint file creation, deletion, hidden attribute, and directory enumeration events
  • Authentication and RDP logon/session records
  • Network connection, proxy, DNS, and egress telemetry for C2 and exfiltration analysis
  • Browser credential store access evidence where available

Detection direction

  • Do not depend on a single Imminent Monitor signature; validate behavior-based detections across the related techniques because cracked versions and variations are noted as still circulating.
  • Correlate remote access behavior with credential access, discovery, exfiltration, and stealth events rather than alerting on isolated administration-like activity.
  • Review RDP detections for valid-account abuse patterns, unusual source systems, unusual times, and follow-on endpoint activity.
  • Tune for false positives from legitimate remote administration, scripting, browser management, conferencing software, and security tools while preserving correlation logic for suspicious combinations.
  • Validate that attempts to disable or modify security tools generate high-priority alerts and are not silently suppressed by endpoint management workflows.

Mitigation priorities

  • Harden and monitor Windows remote access paths, especially RDP exposure and account use.
  • Strengthen identity controls around valid accounts, including least privilege and review of remote logon permissions.
  • Maintain endpoint protection and logging resilience so security tool tampering is visible and investigated quickly.
  • Reduce credential theft risk by limiting browser-stored credentials where feasible and monitoring access to credential stores.
  • Control egress paths and retain network telemetry needed to investigate C2-channel exfiltration.
Additional notes and limits

This take is based on the official ATT&CK software object, its external reference, and supplied relationships. The most decision-useful context is that Imminent Monitor is a commodity RAT formerly sold from 2012 to 2019, with cracked versions and variations still in circulation, and that ATT&CK links it to multiple post-compromise behaviors. Relationship context also names APT-C-36 and TA2541 as groups that use this object, but this should not be treated as attribution for any local incident without corroborating evidence.

MITRE provides no official detection section, no aliases, and no object-level tactics for this software entry. The object platform is Windows, while several related techniques are broader across platforms; this summary does not infer non-Windows execution for Imminent Monitor. Local telemetry, asset exposure, and incident evidence are required to determine actual risk or coverage.

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

Official MITRE ATT&CK definition

Imminent Monitor

Imminent Monitor was a commodity remote access tool (RAT) offered for sale from 2012 until 2019, when an operation was conducted to take down the Imminent Monitor infrastructure. Various cracked versions and variations of this RAT are still in circulation.[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.

16 rows
DomainIDNameRelationship / procedure
EnterpriseT1106Native API

Imminent Monitor has leveraged CreateProcessW() call to execute the debugger.[2]

EnterpriseT1555.003Credentials from Web BrowsersSub-technique

Imminent Monitor has a PasswordRecoveryPacket module for recovering browser passwords.[2]

EnterpriseT1140Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

Imminent Monitor has decoded malware components that are then dropped to the system.[2]

EnterpriseT1056.001KeyloggingSub-technique

Imminent Monitor has a keylogging module.[1]

EnterpriseT1070.004File DeletionSub-technique

Imminent Monitor has deleted files related to its dynamic debugger feature.[2]

EnterpriseT1021.001Remote Desktop ProtocolSub-technique

Imminent Monitor has a module for performing remote desktop access.[2]

EnterpriseT1057Process Discovery

Imminent Monitor has a "Process Watcher" feature to monitor processes in case the client ever crashes or gets closed.[1]

EnterpriseT1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Imminent Monitor has a CommandPromptPacket and ScriptPacket module(s) for creating a remote shell and executing scripts.[2]

EnterpriseT1125Video Capture

Imminent Monitor has a remote webcam monitoring capability.[1][2]

EnterpriseT1685Disable or Modify Tools

Imminent Monitor has a feature to disable Windows Task Manager.[1]

EnterpriseT1564.001Hidden Files and DirectoriesSub-technique

Imminent Monitor has a dynamic debugging feature to set the file attribute to hidden.[2]

EnterpriseT1496.001Compute HijackingSub-technique

Imminent Monitor has the capability to run a cryptocurrency miner on the victim machine.[1]

EnterpriseT1041Exfiltration Over C2 Channel

Imminent Monitor has uploaded a file containing debugger logs, network information and system information to the C2.[2]

EnterpriseT1123Audio Capture

Imminent Monitor has a remote microphone monitoring capability.[1][2]

EnterpriseT1027Obfuscated Files or Information

Imminent Monitor has encrypted the spearphish attachments to avoid detection from email gateways; the debugger also encrypts information before sending to the C2.[2]

EnterpriseT1083File and Directory Discovery

Imminent Monitor has a dynamic debugging feature to check whether it is located in the %TEMP% directory, otherwise it copies itself there.[2]

Associated objects

Groups, software, and campaigns

GroupEnterprise

G0099: APT-C-36

APT-C-36 is a suspected South American threat group that has engaged in espionage and financially motivated operations since at least 2018. APT-C-36 has targeted government institutions and entities in the financial, energy, and professional manufacturing sectors across Colombia and other Latin American countries.[1][2][3][4]

GroupEnterprise

G1018: TA2541

TA2541 is a cybercriminal group that has been targeting the aviation, aerospace, transportation, manufacturing, and defense industries since at least 2017. TA2541 campaigns are typically high volume and involve the use of commodity remote access tools obfuscated by crypters and themes related to aviation, transportation, and travel.[1][2]

Relationship explorer

All related ATT&CK context

uses · TechniqueT1106: Native APIEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1555.003: Credentials from Web BrowsersEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1140: Deobfuscate/Decode Files or InformationEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1056.001: KeyloggingEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1070.004: File DeletionEnterpriseuses · GroupG0099: APT-C-36Enterpriseuses · TechniqueT1021.001: Remote Desktop ProtocolEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1057: Process DiscoveryEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1059: Command and Scripting InterpreterEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1125: Video CaptureEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1685: Disable or Modify ToolsEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1564.001: Hidden Files and DirectoriesEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1496.001: Compute HijackingEnterpriseuses · GroupG1018: TA2541Enterpriseuses · TechniqueT1041: Exfiltration Over C2 ChannelEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1123: Audio CaptureEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1027: Obfuscated Files or InformationEnterpriseuses · TechniqueT1083: File and Directory DiscoveryEnterprise
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
1.1
Created
Modified
Raw hash
1eb56a29ff82464f...
Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases(1)
ReleaseBundle importedObject versionModifiedStatusRaw hash
19.11.1Current bundle1eb56a29ff82…
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.

  1. [1]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  2. [2]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  3. [3]
    Proofpoint TA2541 February 2022

    Larson, S. and Wise, J. (2022, February 15). Charting TA2541's Flight. Retrieved September 12, 2023.

    Open source URL
  4. [4]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  5. [5]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  6. [6]
    mitre-attackS0434
    Open source URL
  7. [7]
    mitre-attackS0434
    Open source URL
  8. [8]
    mitre-attackS0434
    Open source URL
  9. [9]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  10. [10]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  11. [11]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  12. [12]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  13. [13]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  14. [14]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  15. [15]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  16. [16]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  17. [17]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  18. [18]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  19. [19]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  20. [20]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  21. [21]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  22. [22]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  23. [23]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  24. [24]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  25. [25]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  26. [26]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  27. [27]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  28. [28]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  29. [29]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  30. [30]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  31. [31]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  32. [32]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  33. [33]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  34. [34]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  35. [35]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  36. [36]
    Proofpoint TA2541 February 2022

    Larson, S. and Wise, J. (2022, February 15). Charting TA2541's Flight. Retrieved September 12, 2023.

    Open source URL
  37. [37]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  38. [38]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  39. [39]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  40. [40]
    Imminent Unit42 Dec2019

    Unit 42. (2019, December 2). Imminent Monitor – a RAT Down Under. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  41. [41]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  42. [42]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  43. [43]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  44. [44]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
  45. [45]
    QiAnXin APT-C-36 Feb2019

    QiAnXin Threat Intelligence Center. (2019, February 18). APT-C-36: Continuous Attacks Targeting Colombian Government Institutions and Corporations. Retrieved May 5, 2020.

    Open source URL
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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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