A cyberespionage group known in security research circles as PlushDaemon has been carrying out a long-running operation in which they take advantage of software update systems to secretly install their own tools on targeted computers. According to new analysis by ESET, this group has been active for several years and has repeatedly improved its techniques. Their operations have reached both individuals and organizations across multiple regions, including areas in East Asia, the United States, and Oceania. Victims have included universities, companies that manufacture electronics, and even a major automotive facility located in Cambodia. ESET’s data suggests that this shift toward manipulating software updates has been a consistent part of PlushDaemon’s strategy since at least 2019, which indicates the group has found this method to be reliable and efficient.
The attackers begin by attempting to take control of the network equipment that people rely on for internet connectivity, such as routers or similar devices. They usually exploit security weaknesses that are already publicly known or take advantage of administrators who have left weak passwords unchanged. Once the attackers get access to these devices, they install a custom-built implant researchers call EdgeStepper. This implant is written in the Go programming language and compiled in a format that works comfortably on Linux-based router systems. After deployment, EdgeStepper operates quietly in the background, monitoring how the device handles internet traffic.
What makes this implant dangerous is its ability to inte
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