HTTPBot Botnet Orchestrates Over 200 Targeted DDoS Attacks
Executive Summary:
CSIS has identified a highly sophisticated botnet, dubbed HTTPBot, that has been actively conducting precision-based Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks across the gaming, technology, and education sectors, with a notable concentration of activity in China. First observed in August 2024, HTTPBot has executed over 200 targeted campaigns by April 2025, representing a shift in DDoS tactics toward application-layer disruption.
Technical Overview
Platform Targeted: Microsoft Windows
Primary Protocol: HTTP (Flood-Based)
Programming Language: Golang
Unlike conventional DDoS malware that focuses on traffic volume, HTTPBot employs advanced simulation of browser behavior to evade detection and achieve persistent disruption of business-critical services. The malware’s use of Golang and its focus on Windows systems is a notable deviation from the norm, as most DDoS botnets historically prefer Linux-based IoT platforms.
Capabilities and Evasion Methods
- Protocol Emulation: Accurately mimics browser-layer interactions, allowing it to bypass protocol integrity checks and rule-based filters.
- Stealth Operation: Conceals its graphical interface to avoid user discovery and process-level inspection.
- Persistence Mechanism: Modifies Windows Registry entries to ensure automatic execution upon system startup.
- Command-and-Control (C2): Establishes and maintains connection with a remote server to receive dynamic attack directives.
Modular Attack Vectors
HTTPBot utilizes several payload modules to enhance attack flexibility:
- BrowserAttack: Initiates headless browser instances to simulate human interaction.
- HttpAutoAttack: Uses session cookies to mimic authenticated sessions.
- HttpFpDlAttack: Exploits HTTP/2 features to spike server CPU loads through forced large-response generation.
- WebSocketAttack: Leverages WebSocket protocols (
ws://,wss://) for persistent connection abuse. - PostAttack: Employs high-volume POST requests to saturate application endpoints.
- CookieAttack: Builds on cookie manipulation to bypass session validation mechanisms.
Strategic Implications
HTTPBot exemplifies an emerging trend in DDoS operations—moving from large-scale, indiscriminate outages to precision-engineered business disruption. Its emphasis on application-layer emulation, persistent session hijacking, and targeted service degradation positions it as a systemic threat to industries dependent on real-time digital interaction.
Organizations within sectors such as online gaming, SaaS platforms, and digital learning environments are advised to adopt enhanced defense postures, including:
- Application-layer traffic profiling
- Behavioral anomaly detection
- Session consistency verification
CSIS RECOMMENDATIONS:
Deploy adaptive threat detection technologies capable of identifying simulated application behavior. Traditional network-layer mitigation alone is insufficient against HTTPBot’s evasive strategies.
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