N. Korean Hackers Use PylangGhost Malware in Fake Crypto Job Scam

A new series of cyber attacks is targeting professionals in the crypto and blockchain industries using fake recruitment scams, according to new research by Cisco Talos. The attackers, linked to a North Korea-aligned group known as Famous Chollima, are impersonating legitimate companies to trick victims into installing malware disguised as video drivers.

The group has been active since at least mid-2024, previously known for tactics like fake developer job postings and fraudulent interview processes. This latest development shows the operation evolving in sophistication, now with a new Python-based malware called PylangGhost, a variant of the previously identified GolangGhost trojan.

Victims are approached by fake recruiters offering positions at companies that appear to be in the crypto sector. Targets are often software developers, marketers and designers with cryptocurrency experience.

Once contact is made, the victim is directed to a fake skill-assessment page designed to look like it belongs to a real company, including well-known names like Coinbase, Robinhood, Uniswap and others.

These pages use the React framework and closely mimic real corporate interfaces. After filling out personal information and completing the test, applicants are told they must record a video introduction for the hiring team. To do so, they’re asked to install “video drivers” by copying and pasting commands into their terminal.

That step downloads the malware.

According to Cicso Talos’ blog post, if the victim follows instructions on a Windows or MacOS system, a malicious ZIP file is pulled down. It contains the Python-based PylangGhost trojan and related scripts. The malware then unpacks itself, runs in the background and gives attackers remote access to the victim’s machine.

The Python version functions almost identically to its Go-based counterpart. It installs itself to run every time the system starts, collects system info, and connects to a command and control server. Once active, it can receive and execute remote commands, harvest credentials, and steal browser data, including passwords and crypto wallet keys.

According to Talos, it targets more than 80 different browser extensions, including widely used password managers and digital wallets like MetaMask, 1Password, NordPass and Phantom.

The malware uses RC4 encryption for communication with its server. Though the data stream is encrypted, the encryption key is sent along with the data, limiting the security of that method. Still, the setup helps it blend in with regular traffic and makes detection harder.

The goal of this operation is twofold. First, it allows attackers to gather sensitive personal data from real jobseekers. Second, it opens the door for fake employees to be placed inside real companies, which could lead to long-term infiltration and access to valuable financial data or software infrastructure.

Only a small number of victims have been confirmed so far, mostly in India. Linux users are not affected in this particular campaign. No Cisco customers appear to have been impacted at this time.

Talos notes that the malware’s development does not seem to involve AI code generation, and the structure of both the Python and Go versions suggests the same developers created both.

If you’re applying for roles in crypto or tech, be cautious with job listings that ask you to install software or run terminal commands as part of an interview. Legitimate companies will not require this.

Cybersecurity teams should review employee onboarding processes, especially for remote hires, and educate staff about these types of social engineering attacks. Monitoring for unexpected outbound connections or strange ZIP downloads can also help catch early signs of compromise.