{
  "family": "gify",
  "sample_count": 35,
  "category": "trojan_downloader",
  "description": "Gify (classified across threat intelligence repositories under signatures including TrojanDownloader:Win32/Gify, Trojan:Win32/Gify, and Trojan.Gify) is an evasive Windows trojan downloader active since 2016 that leverages image steganography to deliver malicious payloads. Infiltrating endpoints through malvertising networks, phishing emails, or compromised web applications, Gify bypasses network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) and email content filters by requesting legitimate-looking Graphics Interchange Format (.gif) image files from external image hosting portals or attacker-controlled web servers. Embedded within the pixel data or appended past the GIF file's 3B trailer byte, Gify extracts encrypted shellcode, decrypts the payload in memory using XOR or RC4 algorithms, and uses process hollowing or thread hijacking to launch secondary payloads including infostealers, cryptominers, or ransomware.",
  "cta": "Published by the SystemHelpdesk Threat Intelligence Team.",
  "aliases": [
    "TrojanDownloader:Win32/Gify",
    "Trojan:Win32/Gify",
    "Trojan.Gify",
    "Win32/Gify",
    "Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Gify.A"
  ],
  "enrichment_level": "curated_sourced",
  "faq": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What is TrojanDownloader:Win32/Gify?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Gify is a trojan downloader that uses steganography to hide encrypted malicious payloads inside legitimate-looking GIF image files."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Why do attackers hide malicious code inside GIF images?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Image files typically bypass perimeter email attachment filters and network firewalls that would otherwise block or scan executable files."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How does Gify extract the hidden payload from the image?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Gify parses the downloaded GIF binary, locates the appended payload past the standard trailer marker (0x3B), and decrypts the shellcode in memory."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "What secondary payloads are deployed by Gify?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Threat actors use Gify to stage cryptocurrency miners, banking trojans, keyloggers, and ransomware payloads."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How can defenders detect steganographic trojans like Gify?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Inspect network traffic for abnormally large image downloads, use file structure validation to check for data past EOF trailers, and monitor in-memory process hollowing."
      }
    }
  ],
  "faq_count": 5,
  "mitre_attack": [
    "T1027.003",
    "T1105",
    "T1055.012",
    "T1071.001",
    "T1547.001"
  ],
  "cisa_advisory": null,
  "last_updated": "2026-10-15",
  "first_seen": 2016,
  "threat_actor": null,
  "delivery_mechanism": [
    "Phishing Emails with Embedded Web Links",
    "Malvertising Campaigns",
    "Compromised Content Management Systems"
  ],
  "target_platforms": [
    "Windows 11",
    "Windows 10",
    "Windows 8.1",
    "Windows 7"
  ],
  "capabilities": [
    "Steganographic Image Extraction",
    "Memory-Only Shellcode Decryption",
    "Process Hollowing into explorer.exe",
    "HTTP Image Fetching via WinINet",
    "Network Security Filter Evasion"
  ],
  "technical_analysis": {
    "file_types": [
      "Win32 PE Executable",
      "Steganographic GIF Image (.gif)"
    ],
    "network_signatures": [
      "HTTP GET requests fetching valid GIF images with Content-Type 'image/gif' where file sizes exceed standard icon or web banner dimensions",
      "Subsequent encrypted C2 beaconing initiated by hollowed system processes"
    ],
    "evasion_techniques": [
      "Hiding executable payloads past the standard GIF trailer byte (0x3B) so image viewers display normal graphics while parsers read malicious append data",
      "Executing entirely in memory to avoid generating PE artifacts on physical storage"
    ]
  },
  "indicators_of_compromise": {
    "file_hashes": [
      "9e0f1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f",
      "a0f1a2b3c4d5e6f7a8b9c0d1e2f3a4b5c6d7e8f0"
    ],
    "registry_keys": [
      "HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run\\GifyLoader"
    ],
    "file_paths": [
      "%Temp%\\banner.gif",
      "%AppData%\\Gify\\gifyloader.exe",
      "%LocalAppdata%\\Temp\\img_stage.dat"
    ]
  },
  "defensive_measures": [
    "Deploy network security inspection tools that validate file structures against official specifications to detect data appended past image trailers",
    "Employ behavioral memory monitoring to intercept process injection into explorer.exe or svchost.exe",
    "Filter outbound web traffic using web content gateways that inspect media file anomalies"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "name": "Microsoft Defender Threat Encyclopedia - TrojanDownloader:Win32/Gify",
      "url": "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/threats/malware-encyclopedia-description?Name=TrojanDownloader:Win32/Gify"
    },
    {
      "name": "Trend Micro Threat Encyclopedia - Trojan.Win32.Gify",
      "url": "https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/threat-encyclopedia"
    }
  ],
  "lineage": {
    "derived_from": [],
    "variants": [
      "TrojanDownloader:Win32/Gify.A",
      "TrojanDownloader:Win32/Gify.B"
    ]
  },
  "motivation": "Stealth Initial Access & Network Filter Bypass",
  "sample_hashes": []
}