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RESEARCH Palo Alto Unit 42

The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications

Aug 10, 2026, 10:00 PM · by Palo Alto Unit 42

Analysis of the Aeternum botnet loader, a threat leveraging Polygon blockchain smart contracts for decentralized C2 infrastructure and payload execution. The post The Permanent Threat: Analyzing Aeternum’s Blockchain-Based C2 Operations and Communications (https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/aeternum-blockchain-c2-analysis/) appeared first on Unit 42 (https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com). Because attacks of this type can go unnoticed for extended periods, the window between initial compromise and detection is often the deciding factor in the eventual impact. Finally, maintain offline, tested backups and a clear communication plan so that business continuity decisions are made ahead of time rather than under pressure.

Source: Palo Alto Unit 42