NeedyMantis: Unpacking a post-compromise malware family used in targeted operations

Microsoft Threat Intelligence has identified NeedyMantis, a modular post-compromise malware family observed in a limited number of targeted operations affecting telecommunications organizations, universities, medical nonprofits, intergovernmental organizations, and government contractors. Based on observed activity, NeedyMantis is typically deployed after a threat actor has already established access to a target environment, indicating that the malware is used to maintain long-term access and support follow-on operations.

NeedyMantis activity dates back to at least October 2025. We discovered the malware family while analyzing and pivoting from research and indicators of compromise associated with the DAEMON Tools supply chain compromise, which Kaspersky previously reported on as part of its investigation into the campaign. Observed activity involving NeedyMantis has thus far aligned with activity that Microsoft associates with threat actors operating from China, although Microsoft has not determined whether all observed activity is attributable to the same operator.

While NeedyMantis employs techniques commonly used by modern malware, its architecture combines multiple loaders, custom encrypted file archives, a custom executable file format, and modular components that enable operators to evade analysis and extend functionality through additional modules. These characteristics, combined with its use in targeted intrusions, make NeedyMantis a useful case study for understanding how threat actors establish and maintain long-term access within victim environments.

In this blog, we analyze the NeedyMantis malware framework. We examine its packaging and deployment, custom archive format, loader architecture, command-and-control (C2) communications, and modular design. We also provide indicators of compromise (IOCs), Microsoft Defender detections, and mitigation guidance to help organizations defend against this threat and related activity.

Observed operators and targeting

At the time of writing, Microsoft has observed at least one threat actor using NeedyMantis malware: Storm-3069. Storm-3069 is Microsoft Threat Intelligence’s designator for activity associated with the DAEMON Tools supply chain compromise. While Microsoft assesses the activity originates from China, it has not attributed Storm-3069 to a Chinese nation-state actor. Microsoft identified NeedyMantis through follow-on analysis of indicators associated with Kaspersky’s investigation of the DAEMON Tools compromise.

Microsoft has observed additional NeedyMantis activity beyond Storm-3069’s activity in the DAEMON Tools campaign, indicating that the malware might be used by more than one operator. Observed activity involving NeedyMantis has thus far aligned with activity Microsoft associates with threat actors operating from China, such as targeting that aligns with Chinese interests and the use of selective deployment.

NeedyMantis has been observed in intrusions affecting telecommunications organizations, universities, intergovernmental organizations, medical nonprofits, and government contractors. Combined with the malware’s limited observed deployment and alignment with activity Microsoft associates with China-based threat actors, this victimology suggests NeedyMantis is deployed selectively rather than broadly. However, Microsoft has not determined whether all observed activity is attributable to the same threat actor or whether multiple actors have access to the malware.

Malware packaging and distribution

As previously mentioned, observed activity suggests that the malware is typically deployed after a threat actor has established access to a target environment. As a result, the methods used to gain access before NeedyMantis is deployed may vary across intrusions.

NeedyMantis is composed of multiple components written in C++ and x64 shellcode. The malware starts with a first-stage loader and a file archive. The loader and archive have been found packaged alongside legitimate software, with the first-stage loader–masquerading as a required DLL—being loaded through DLL sideloading.

Some of the open-source, software abused by the malware include: Poedit (translation), curl (data transfer), Vim (text editor), and TightVNC (remote access). Microsoft has also observed NeedyMantis masquerading as Microsoft Office, Broadcom, Intel, and NVIDIA DLL components. The following is a list of some of the DLL path names used by the malware:

• %ProgramFiles%\Poedit\WinSparkle.dll
• %ProgramData%\USOShared\libcurl.dll
• %ProgramData%\VIM\vim64.dll
• %ProgramData%\TightVNC\VIM\vim64.dll
• %ProgramData%\office\dbghelp.dll
• %ProgramData%\broadcom\dbghelp.dll
• %ProgramData%\Intel\jli.dll
• %ProgramFiles%\modifiable\nvml.dll
• %ProgramData%\ics\nvml.dll

The malware’s file archive is named the same as the loader DLL without the extension, for example WinSparkle or libcurl.

In one observed incident, an operator used the Impacket toolkit during hands-on-keyboard activity to copy the legitimate software, malicious DLL, and file archive from a network share and execute it on a targeted device. This activity occurred after the actor had already obtained access to the environment and illustrates one method by which NeedyMantis can be introduced during an intrusion post-compromise.

NeedyMantis is observed during the post-compromise stage of an intrusion after an actor has established access to the target environment. While one known user of the malware, Storm-3069, has been associated with supply chain compromises, Microsoft has not observed NeedyMantis itself being distributed through a supply chain compromise. However, supply chain activity remains one possible means by which an actor could gain the access necessary to deploy the malware.

NeedyMantis architecture and capabilities

First-stage loader

NeedyMantis’ first-stage loader is DLL sideloaded and launched when the legitimate software it is packaged with is run. Its only task is to extract the second-stage loader from its file archive and continue execution there.

In the analyzed sample, the loader DLL was named WinSparkle.dll (SHA-256: e842dd7642c8e04b5ec20b6393848a9c904e4832930950c16664fe7800ba382e) and its file archive was named WinSparkle (SHA-256: 9cb68f986043a576e19d32184c583b7d8f571c7219d8dc0065dced1c13f077ef). NeedyMantis spoofed and replaced the

Key Takeaways

• NeedyMantis is a post-compromise malware family used for maintaining long-term access to compromised systems through persistent backdoor capabilities.
• Post-compromise frameworks like NeedyMantis enable threat actors to conduct extended espionage campaigns by evading detection while maintaining access.
• Organizations should implement endpoint detection and response controls capable of identifying post-compromise tool deployment and persistence mechanisms.