EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
PyRAT as a Python-based Remote Access Trojan that highlights how attackers increasingly rely on high-level scripting languages to build functional and adaptable malware. Python’s ease of development, combined with its extensive library ecosystem, allows threat actors to rapidly prototype and deploy malicious tools with relatively low effort. PyRAT is presented as a real-world malware sample rather than a proof-of-concept, having been observed circulating in the wild and flagged by multiple security engines. The analysis emphasizes that the malware was packaged into a standalone executable, masking its Python origins and complicating detection for unsuspecting users. The introductory discussion frames PyRAT as an example of how modern RATs blur the line between simplicity and effectiveness, offering attackers persistent access and control without relying on advanced exploitation techniques. This context sets the stage for a deeper technical breakdown, stressing the importance for defenders to understand how such threats are structured and how they operate once deployed on compromised systems.
The technical analysis focuses on unpacking and examining PyRAT’s internal structure and execution flow. After extraction, the malware reveals multiple Python modules coordinated by a central agent responsible for managing communication and command execution. Once active, PyRAT gathers detailed system information such as operating system type, hostname, and user context, then creates a unique identifier tied to the victim machine to maintain session continuity. Communication with the command-and-control server occurs over standard HTTP using simple request and response mechanisms, enabling the attacker to send commands and receive results with minimal overhead. The malware employs multithreading to handle tasks concurrently, allowing it to remain responsive while performing actions such as file operations or data collection. Persistence is achieved through platform-specific techniques, ensuring the malware automatically executes upon system restart without requiring elevated privileges, which increases its longevity and operational value to attackers.
The concluding section highlights PyRAT’s wide range of capabilities and the risks it poses despite its relatively straightforward design. The malware supports remote command execution, file browsing, uploading and downloading of data, and archiving of files for efficient exfiltration. Additional features such as screenshot capture further enhance its surveillance potential, making it suitable for espionage, credential theft, or prolonged system monitoring. Although PyRAT lacks advanced obfuscation, encryption, or sophisticated evasion mechanisms, its cross-platform support and modular functionality make it a practical and reusable tool for cybercriminals. The analysis reinforces that threats like PyRAT do not need cutting-edge techniques to be effective, especially when deployed against poorly monitored environments.
THREAT PROFILE:
| Tactic | Technique ID | Technique | Sub-Technique |
| Reconnaissance | T1592 | Gather Victim Host Information | — |
| Resource Development | T1587.001 | Develop Capabilities | Malware |
| Execution | T1204.002 | User Execution | Malicious File |
| T1059.006 | Command and Scripting Interpreter | Python | |
| Persistence | T1547.001 | Boot or Logon Autostart Execution | Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder |
| Privilege Escalation | T1068 | Exploitation for Privilege Escalation | — |
| Defense Evasion | T1027 | Obfuscated Files and Information | — |
| Credential Access | T1003 | OS Credential Dumping | — |
| Discovery | T1082 | System Information Discovery | — |
| T1033 | System Owner/User Discovery | — | |
| T1046 | Network Service Discovery | — | |
| Lateral Movement | T1021 | Remote Services | — |
| Collection | T1005 | Data from Local System | — |
| T1113 | Screen Capture | — | |
| Command and Control | T1071.001 | Application Layer Protocol | Web Protocols |
| T1105 | Ingress Tool Transfer | — | |
| Exfiltration | T1041 | Exfiltration Over C2 Channel | — |
MBC MAPPING:
| Objective | Behaviour ID | Behaviour |
| Persistence | F0012 | Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder |
| Command and Control | B0030 | C2 Communication |
| Collection | E1560 | Archive Collected Data |
| E1113 | Screen Capture | |
| Execution | B0011 | Remote Commands |
| Defense Evasion | F0007 | Self Deletion |
REFERENCES:
The following reports contain further technical details:
https://cybersecuritynews.com/python-based-pyrat-with-cross-platform-capabilities/
https://labs.k7computing.com/index.php/the-pyrat-code-python-based-rat-and-its-internals/