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MITRE ATT&CK® Malware

S0673: DarkWatchman

DarkWatchman is a lightweight JavaScript-based remote access tool (RAT) that avoids file operations; it was first observed in November 2021.[1]

EnterpriseS0673MalwareObject v1.2Modified
Glexia's Take · Automated analysis

Security context for executives and security teams

Automation confidenceMedium

DarkWatchman matters because ATT&CK describes it as a lightweight JavaScript-based Windows RAT that avoids file operations. That shifts defensive value away from file-only malware controls and toward visibility into script execution, Registry activity, WMI, scheduled tasks, discovery behavior, local data collection, and web-based command-and-control patterns.

Executive priority

Treat this as a coverage validation item for Windows endpoint resilience and incident response readiness. Leaders should ask whether the organization can investigate a mostly fileless RAT scenario: Can teams prove what script ran, what Registry keys changed, whether persistence was created, what data was discovered or staged, and whether outbound web traffic carried command-and-control? The priority is not a single signature; it is evidence quality across endpoint, identity context, and network telemetry.

Technical view

The supplied ATT&CK relationships show DarkWatchman using Windows-relevant execution and persistence paths including JavaScript, PowerShell, Windows Command Shell, WMI, Scheduled Task, Registry query/modify, fileless storage, command obfuscation, compile-after-delivery, compression, masquerading, file deletion, discovery, collection, keylogging, local staging, and web protocols for command-and-control. SOC and IR teams should validate whether Windows telemetry connects these behaviors into a timeline, especially where activity does not leave conventional malware files on disk. No official ATT&CK detection text is provided, so detection engineering should be based on the related techniques and local baselines.

Likely telemetry

  • Windows process creation with command-line detail for script interpreters, PowerShell, cmd, WMI, and task-scheduling utilities
  • PowerShell and script execution logs where enabled, including encoded or obfuscated command indicators
  • Windows Registry query and modification events, especially unusual persistence or storage patterns
  • Scheduled Task creation, modification, and execution events
  • WMI activity, including local or remote command execution indicators

Detection direction

  • Prioritize behavior correlation over file hashes because the official description emphasizes avoidance of file operations and the relationships include fileless storage and obfuscation.
  • Tune detections for unusual chains such as JavaScript or script execution leading to Registry modification, WMI execution, Scheduled Task creation, discovery commands, local staging, and web-protocol outbound traffic.
  • Baseline administrative use of PowerShell, cmd, WMI, Registry tools, and Scheduled Tasks to reduce false positives while preserving alerts for rare parent-child process relationships, unusual users, or unusual hosts.
  • Validate visibility into Registry-backed or non-file storage because file-centric EDR or antivirus-only workflows may miss material evidence.
  • Review outbound web traffic by process and host context; web protocols are common, so detection should emphasize abnormal initiating processes, destinations, timing, and surrounding endpoint behavior rather than protocol use alone.

Mitigation priorities

  • Harden and monitor Windows scripting environments, including JavaScript/JScript, PowerShell, and command shell usage, according to business need.
  • Restrict and audit WMI, Scheduled Task, and Registry modification capabilities using least privilege and administrative control review.
  • Enable sufficient Windows logging for process creation, command line, PowerShell/script activity, Registry changes, scheduled tasks, and WMI so investigations are evidence-driven.
  • Apply egress monitoring and web-protocol inspection policies appropriate to the environment, with attention to endpoint process context.
  • Prepare incident response procedures for fileless malware scenarios, including memory-aware triage, Registry review, persistence checks, and data-staging searches.
Additional notes and limits

DarkWatchman is identified by ATT&CK as software S0673, a JavaScript-based RAT first observed in November 2021. The most decision-useful context comes from its ATT&CK technique relationships, which indicate a Windows-focused pattern of script execution, stealth, discovery, collection, persistence, and web-based command-and-control. This take intentionally avoids claims about current exploitation, attribution, prevalence, or guaranteed detectability.

ATT&CK provides no official detection text for this object, and the object itself lists no tactics. Several relationship descriptions are truncated in the supplied data, and some related technique platform lists are broader or inconsistent with the malware object's Windows platform. Local environment telemetry, baselines, and control configuration are required to assess real 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

DarkWatchman

DarkWatchman is a lightweight JavaScript-based remote access tool (RAT) that avoids file operations; it was first observed in November 2021.[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.

34 rows
DomainIDNameRelationship / procedure
EnterpriseT1614System Location Discovery

DarkWatchman can identity the OS locale of a compromised host.[1]

EnterpriseT1070.004File DeletionSub-technique

DarkWatchman has been observed deleting its original launcher after installation.[1]

EnterpriseT1027.011Fileless StorageSub-technique

DarkWatchman can store configuration strings, keylogger, and output of components in the Registry.[1]

EnterpriseT1027.015CompressionSub-technique

DarkWatchman has been delivered as compressed RAR payloads in ZIP files to victims.[1]

EnterpriseT1112Modify Registry

DarkWatchman can modify Registry values to store configuration strings, keylogger, and output of components.[1]

EnterpriseT1490Inhibit System Recovery

DarkWatchman can delete shadow volumes using vssadmin.exe.[1]

EnterpriseT1074.001Local Data StagingSub-technique

DarkWatchman can stage local data in the Windows Registry.[1]

EnterpriseT1010Application Window Discovery

DarkWatchman reports window names along with keylogger information to provide application context.[1]

EnterpriseT1059.001PowerShellSub-technique

DarkWatchman can execute PowerShell commands and has used PowerShell to execute a keylogger.[1]

EnterpriseT1124System Time Discovery

DarkWatchman can collect time zone information and system `UPTIME`.[1]

EnterpriseT1083File and Directory Discovery

DarkWatchman has the ability to enumerate file and folder names.[1]

EnterpriseT1027.010Command ObfuscationSub-technique

DarkWatchman has used Base64 to encode PowerShell commands.[1]

EnterpriseT1568.002Domain Generation AlgorithmsSub-technique

DarkWatchman has used a DGA to generate a domain name for C2.[1]

EnterpriseT1012Query Registry

DarkWatchman can query the Registry to determine if it has already been installed on the system.[1]

EnterpriseT1129Shared Modules

DarkWatchman can load DLLs.[1]

EnterpriseT1217Browser Information Discovery

DarkWatchman can retrieve browser history.[1]

EnterpriseT1132.001Standard EncodingSub-technique

DarkWatchman encodes data using hexadecimal representation before sending it to the C2 server.[1]

EnterpriseT1059.003Windows Command ShellSub-technique

DarkWatchman can use `cmd.exe` to execute commands.[1]

EnterpriseT1573.002Asymmetric CryptographySub-technique

DarkWatchman can use TLS to encrypt its C2 channel.[1]

EnterpriseT1071.001Web ProtocolsSub-technique

DarkWatchman uses HTTPS for command and control.[1]

EnterpriseT1005Data from Local System

DarkWatchman can collect files from a compromised host.[1]

EnterpriseT1140Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information

DarkWatchman has the ability to self-extract as a RAR archive.[1]

EnterpriseT1047Windows Management Instrumentation

DarkWatchman can use WMI to execute commands.[1]

EnterpriseT1566.001Spearphishing AttachmentSub-technique

DarkWatchman has been delivered via spearphishing emails that contain a malicious zip file.[1]

EnterpriseT1027.004Compile After DeliverySub-technique

DarkWatchman has used the csc.exe tool to compile a C# executable.[1]

EnterpriseT1053.005Scheduled TaskSub-technique

DarkWatchman has created a scheduled task for persistence.[1]

EnterpriseT1518.001Security Software DiscoverySub-technique

DarkWatchman can search for anti-virus products on the system.[1]

EnterpriseT1056.001KeyloggingSub-technique

DarkWatchman can track key presses with a keylogger module.[1]

EnterpriseT1036Masquerading

DarkWatchman has used an icon mimicking a text file to mask a malicious executable.[1]

EnterpriseT1082System Information Discovery

DarkWatchman can collect the OS version, system architecture, and computer name.[1]

EnterpriseT1033System Owner/User Discovery

DarkWatchman has collected the username from a victim machine.[1]

EnterpriseT1070Indicator Removal

DarkWatchman can uninstall malicious components from the Registry, stop processes, and clear the browser history.[1]

EnterpriseT1059.007JavaScriptSub-technique

DarkWatchman uses JavaScript to perform its core functionalities.[1]

EnterpriseT1120Peripheral Device Discovery

DarkWatchman can list signed PnP drivers for smartcard readers.[1]

Relationship explorer

All related ATT&CK context

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
e2fa177e61c90086...
Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases(1)
ReleaseBundle importedObject versionModifiedStatusRaw hash
19.11.2Current bundlee2fa177e61c9…
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.

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]
    Prevailion DarkWatchman 2021

    Smith, S., Stafford, M. (2021, December 14). DarkWatchman: A new evolution in fileless techniques. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

    Open source URL
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    Smith, S., Stafford, M. (2021, December 14). DarkWatchman: A new evolution in fileless techniques. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

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    Smith, S., Stafford, M. (2021, December 14). DarkWatchman: A new evolution in fileless techniques. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

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    mitre-attackS0673
    Open source URL
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    Open source URL
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    Open source URL
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    Smith, S., Stafford, M. (2021, December 14). DarkWatchman: A new evolution in fileless techniques. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

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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.