two-stage-payload

The two-stage payload tag covers discussions about malware that uses a multi-step infection process, often involving an initial dropper or installer that later fetches and executes a secondary malicious payload. In the context of WindowsForum.com, this tag appears in threads about supply-chain attacks, such as the Solana-Scan campaign where malicious npm packages first harvest system information and then deploy a second stage to steal wallet keys and developer credentials. These attacks highlight how two-stage payloads can evade initial detection by separating the reconnaissance and data theft phases, making them a persistent threat in software development environments.