Deep Dive: Neshta (File_Infector)
Today we are analyzing the Neshta malware family, which falls under the File_Infector category.
Overview
Neshta is a file infector virus first identified around 2005 and attributed to a Belarusian author. It is written in the Delphi programming language. Its name derives from the Belarusian word "neshta" (something). As a classic file infector, Neshta spreads by modifying legitimate Windows executable (.exe) files so that its own code runs when an infected program is launched, which is why it continues to appear in malware telemetry long after its initial release. It is documented by Fraunhofer FKIE's Malpedia and has been the subject of named-vendor analyses, including write-ups by BlackBerry and Virus Bulletin.
Known Aliases
Security vendors and researchers may refer to this family by several different names, including:
win32.neshtaneshutaneshta.aneshta.bsality_neshta
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
This family has been observed utilizing the following techniques:
- T1080: View on MITRE
- T1547.001: View on MITRE
- T1041: View on MITRE
- T1027: View on MITRE
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neshta?
Neshta is a file infector virus, first seen around 2005 and written in the Delphi programming language. It is attributed to a Belarusian author, and its name comes from the Belarusian word "neshta," meaning "something."
How does Neshta spread?
As a file infector, Neshta propagates by altering legitimate Windows executable (.exe) files so that the malicious code executes whenever an infected program is run. This parasitic infection of host files is the defining behavior of the file infector class to which Neshta belongs.
Why does Neshta still appear in malware datasets today?
Because Neshta infects existing executables rather than relying on a single dropper, infected files can persist and continue to circulate for many years. Security vendors such as BlackBerry have noted that the file infector endures in collected samples long after its original 2005 appearance.
What sources document Neshta?
Neshta has a profile in Fraunhofer FKIE's Malpedia, and it has been analyzed in named-vendor publications including a BlackBerry threat spotlight (2019) and a Virus Bulletin article (2014). These sources describe it as a long-running Delphi file infector of Belarusian origin.
This article is part of the Malware Families Catalog. Visit the original page for more details and interactive data! You can also find the full dataset on Hugging Face and Kaggle.
