H3XA — Operational Evidence

TypeMalware

External ID—

First seen2026-08-14

Last seen2026-08-14

Confidence

—

[ZLib](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0086) is a full-featured backdoor that was used as a second-stage implant during [Operation Dust Storm](https://attack.mitre.org/campaigns/C0016) since at least 2014. [ZLib](https://attack.mitre.org/software/S0086) is malware and should not be confused with the legitimate compression library from which its name is derived.(Citation: Cylance Dust Storm)

Labels

malware

12 recorded

Relationships

uses

from Operation Dust Storm

Campaign

uses

to Archive via Library

Technique

uses

to Exfiltration Over C2 Channel

Technique

uses

to File and Directory Discovery

Technique

uses

to Ingress Tool Transfer

Technique

uses

to Match Legitimate Resource Name or Location

Technique

uses

to Screen Capture

Technique

uses

to System Information Discovery

Technique

uses

to System Service Discovery

Technique

uses

to Web Protocols

Technique

uses

to Windows Command Shell

Technique

uses

to Windows Service

Technique

2 external

References

mitre-attack

S0086

Cylance Dust Storm

https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/cylance/prod/cylance-web/en-us/resources/knowledge-center/resource-library/reports/Op_Dust_Storm_Report.pdf