H3XAOperational intelligence
Live analytical pictureEvidence before assessment
TypeMalware
External ID—
First seen2026-08-14
Last seen2026-08-14

Confidence

—

[Pikabot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1145) is a backdoor used for initial access and follow-on tool deployment active since early 2023. [Pikabot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1145) is notable for extensive use of multiple encoding, encryption, and defense evasion mechanisms to evade defenses and avoid analysis. [Pikabot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1145) has some overlaps with [QakBot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0650), but insufficient evidence exists to definitively link these two malware families. [Pikabot](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S1145) is frequently used to deploy follow on tools such as [Cobalt Strike](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0154) or ransomware variants.(Citation: Zscaler Pikabot 2023)(Citation: Elastic Pikabot 2024)(Citation: Logpoint Pikabot 2024)

Labels

malware
24 recorded

Relationships

usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
usesTechnique
uses
from TA577
Group
4 external

References

mitre-attack
S1145
open
Zscaler Pikabot 2023
https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/technical-analysis-pikabot
open
Elastic Pikabot 2024
https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/pikabot-i-choose-you
open
Logpoint Pikabot 2024
https://www.logpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/logpoint-etpr-pikabot.pdf
open