Executive Summary

• SGI sensors detected network traffic originating from IP address 190.167.237.191, associated with AS6400 in the Dominican Republic.
• A file hash (SHA256: 01ba4719c80b6fe911b091a7c05124b64eeece964e09c058ef8f9805daca546b) was observed, identified by VirusTotal as a text file.
• The identified malware family is “standalone-framework.js”, categorized as low severity.
• The likely objective is reconnaissance or initial stage activity, given the low severity and file type.
• Business risk is considered low, but further investigation is warranted to rule out potential lateral movement.

Organizations should enhance monitoring for similar network patterns and implement preventative measures to mitigate potential risks.

Observed Activity (SGI Sensors)

On November 4, 2025, SGI sensors detected network activity from IP address 190.167.237.191 originating from the Dominican Republic. The observed traffic used the TCP protocol, but the specific port was not captured. A file hash was associated with this activity and submitted to VirusTotal for further analysis. The file was identified as a text file.

Malware/Technique Overview

The malware family identified is “standalone-framework.js”, which suggests a JavaScript-based framework potentially used for various purposes. Given the low severity, it’s plausible that this is a legitimate framework being used in a benign context. However, it could also be a component of a more complex attack or used for reconnaissance. Without further context, it’s difficult to determine the exact purpose.

• T1071 – Application Layer Protocol
• T1105 – Ingress Tool Transfer

VirusTotal Snapshot

VirusTotal analysis shows the file hash 01ba4719c80b6fe911b091a7c05124b64eeece964e09c058ef8f9805daca546b was flagged as undetected by 62 vendors and malicious by 0. The reputation score is -575. VirusTotal identified the file type as Text.

Links:

• VirusTotal Sample

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

It is recommended to monitor these IoCs for at least 30 days.

Detection & Hunting

Splunk SPL

index=* src_ip=190.167.237.0/24  | stats count by dest_ip, dest_port

This query searches for connections originating from the 190.167.237.0/24 subnet and aggregates the connections based on destination IP and port. Validate true positives by correlating with known legitimate traffic and services. False positives may arise from common services hosted in that region.

Containment, Eradication & Recovery

1. Isolate affected systems from the network to prevent potential lateral movement.
2. Block the identified IP address (190.167.237.191) at the firewall level.
3. Scan all systems for the presence of the identified file hash (01ba4719c80b6fe911b091a7c05124b64eeece964e09c058ef8f9805daca546b).
4. Reset any potentially compromised credentials, especially if the affected systems have access to sensitive data.

Ensure clear communication between IT and leadership regarding the incident and remediation steps. Preserve any evidence related to the incident for potential forensic analysis.

Hardening & Preventive Controls

• Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all user accounts (NIST CSF PR.AC-1, CIS Control 6).
• Tune Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems to detect suspicious file executions and network connections (NIST CSF DE.CM-1, CIS Control 10).
• Enforce Least Privilege principles to limit the impact of potential compromises (NIST CSF PR.AC-3, CIS Control 5).
• Maintain Patch SLAs to ensure timely patching of vulnerabilities (NIST CSF PR.PT-1, CIS Control 7).

Business Impact & Risk Outlook

The potential business impact is currently low, given the nature of the observed activity. However, failure to address the identified vulnerabilities could lead to operational disruptions, legal liabilities, and reputational damage. In the next 3-6 months, we anticipate an increase in reconnaissance activity targeting organizations with weak security controls. Proactive monitoring and hardening are crucial to mitigating these risks.

Appendix

Assumptions & Data Gaps

• Specific port used in the TCP connection is unknown.
• The full payload of the network traffic was not captured.
• The exact purpose and context of “standalone-framework.js” are not fully understood.

References

• VirusTotal Sample

SGI remains vigilant in monitoring emerging threats and providing actionable intelligence to protect our clients. To enhance your organization’s security posture, consider a Request an Incident Readiness Review. For continuous protection, explore our 24/7 Monitoring with Sentry365™ services. Our vCISO Advisory services provide expert guidance to align your security strategy with your business objectives.