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New msaRAT malware uses Chrome, Edge browsers to route C2 traffic

The Chaos ransomware gang is using a new backdoor dubbed msaRAT that hides command-and-control (C2) communication by routing it through the Chrome or Edge browsers.

What happened

Recent reporting highlighted new msarat malware uses chrome, edge browsers to route c2 traffic. The Chaos ransomware gang is using a new backdoor dubbed msaRAT that hides command-and-control (C2) communication by routing it through the Chrome or Edge browsers. The malware is written in Rust and uses the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) to control a headless browser session and establish a connection to the attacker’s server.

Why it matters

This matters because it has practical implications for defensive prioritisation, exposure management, or incident response rather than sitting as abstract security commentary. It also helps frame how defenders should think about attacker adaptation and recurring tradecraft rather than single incidents in isolation.

Assessment

The strongest signal here is the tradecraft pattern and what it says about attacker adaptation, not just the single campaign or disclosure. In practice, that means operators should read this as a broader signal over noise item rather than a narrow one-off.

  • Review whether the issue, advisory, or attack pattern is relevant to your environment, suppliers, or exposed systems
  • Patch, harden, or validate logging and monitoring coverage where applicable
  • Map the observed activity to existing detections and threat-hunting hypotheses instead of tracking it only as narrative reporting
  • Monitor follow-on reporting or primary-source updates for scope expansion, implementation guidance, or stronger enforcement signals

Further reading