DarkGate malware is a sophisticated and versatile malicious software designed to infiltrate computer systems, evade detection, and execute a variety of cyberattacks. First discovered in 2018, DarkGate has evolved significantly, becoming a prominent threat in the cybersecurity landscape. It operates as a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) with infostealer capabilities, allowing attackers to gain control over compromised systems and extract valuable information. The malware is distributed under a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) model, making it accessible to various threat actors for a hefty subscription fee. Once DarkGate infiltrates a system, it follows a complex infection chain to establish control and execute its malicious activities. The initial compromise typically occurs through a malicious attachment or link, which, upon execution, downloads additional payloads from remote servers using techniques like DLL side-loading or obfuscated PowerShell commands. To avoid detection and removal, DarkGate employs sophisticated evasion methods, such as obfuscating malicious code within AutoIt scripts, shellcode encryption, and detecting installed antivirus software. To maintain control over infected systems, DarkGate creates malicious registry keys, injects code into legitimate processes, and adds itself to the startup directory. The malware communicates with its command-and-control (C2) server using HTTP POST requests, often employing custom Base64 encoding to obfuscate data, allowing attackers to send commands and receive stolen data. DarkGate supports a wide range of malicious functionalities, including keylogging, credential theft, remote code execution, privilege escalation, and cryptocurrency mining.