Do Son 
Pirated games have long been a risky endeavor, but recent research from Trellix reveals just how dangerous that risk has become. The analysis exposes a sophisticated malware campaign leveraging the popular piracy site Dodi Repacks to distribute HijackLoader, a modular malware loader actively used to deliver a wide range of cyber threats.
On piracy forums, one common refrain is that downloads are safe “as long as you have an adblocker installed.” Trellix researchers directly challenged this belief. As the report notes:
“Keep in mind, all of this occurred with the adblocker uBlock Origin installed, so the often-parroted claim on piracy forums that ‘as long as you have an adblocker installed, you’ll be safe when downloading pirated software’ is patently false.”
Even with an adblocker active, users were funneled through multiple redirects—ending up on a MEGA-hosted archive containing a malicious payload disguised as a game crack.
The malicious archive contained a bloated DLL file named DivXDownloadManager.dll, weighing in at over 500 MB. Trellix explains this tactic as a way to bypass online scanners and sandboxes, which often impose file-size restrictions. Using tools like Debloat, researchers were able to strip away the excess data and uncover the malware’s true functionality.
Once executed, HijackLoader follows a multi-stage loading process:
- Stage I – A hijacked DLL decrypts configuration data hidden in innocuous-looking files such as quintillionth.ppt.
- Stage II – Loader setup introduces advanced evasion techniques, including module stomping and API spoofing to hide malicious activity.
- Stage III – The so-called “ti module” disables hooks, performs anti-VM checks, and prepares the ground for stealthy persistence.
- Stage IV – Final injection deploys the ultimate payload, which in most recent cases has been the information-stealing malware LummaC2.
As Trellix highlights, “HijackLoader is a modular loader that currently supports 40 modules,” giving attackers an arsenal of capabilities to tailor each campaign.
While the investigation began with a game download from Dodi Repacks, Trellix emphasizes that this is far from an isolated case.
“HijackLoader distribution is extremely widespread. Simply searching for any cracked software has a high chance of yielding links on the first page of Google search results that are distributing the malware.”
In one striking example, threat actors even abused the music streaming platform TIDAL, creating a playlist titled “FL Studio Producer Edition Crack” with a description linking to a malware-laden download.
HijackLoader is not a standalone threat—it’s a delivery mechanism. Trellix observed it being used to spread numerous malware families, including Redline Stealer, Danabot, Remcos, xWorm, Amadey, and XMRig miners. Recently, LummaC2 has become the favored payload, enabling large-scale credential theft and data exfiltration.
Even when domains distributing HijackLoader get flagged, attackers quickly adapt. Trellix notes that “the threat actors simply change the site serving the malware when it gets flagged in typical cat and mouse fashion.” With active development underway, modules such as ti, rshell, and X64L continue to evolve, ensuring HijackLoader remains a potent and elusive threat.
The sophistication of HijackLoader demonstrates how piracy has become a vector for advanced malware, with attackers exploiting both curiosity and cost-saving motives of gamers worldwide.
As Trellix concludes, piracy-driven malware distribution is no longer fringe but mainstream, blending into everyday search results and trusted platforms. The best defense remains simple: avoid pirated software and rely on legitimate sources.
Related Posts:
- HijackLoader Evolves: New Modules Bring Stealth, Persistence, and Advanced VM Evasion
- New Malware Duo HijackLoader & DeerStealer Surge: Bypassing Defenses for Data Theft
- Hackers make poisoned Final Cut Pro specifically to target Mac users
- RedLine Stealer Unleashed: Inno Setup Installers Abused for Stealthy Data Theft & Cryptowallet Draining
- The Hidden Threat in Pirated macOS Applications: Unveiling a New Malware Campaign
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