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# Operation Endgame Shuts Down Gootloader, CastleRAT and StealC Infrastructure, Exposes Millions of Credentials
- URL: https://www.cyberdelegate.com/operation-endgame-shuts-down-gootloader-castlerat-and-stealc-infrastructure-exposes-millions-of-credentials/
- Published: 2026-11-13T19:58:46.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-13T19:58:45.000Z
- Description: Europol and partners seized hundreds of servers used by three major malware families, uncovering over 6 million stolen credentials and prompting security advice for WordPress users.
- Author: The CyberDiplomat
- Tags: Ransomware & Data Breaches, Europe, malware takedown, credential theft, WordPress security, operation endgame, #crawler

Europol together with law‑enforcement agencies from nine nations announced on 12 November that they had confiscated 235 servers and 257 domains linked to the Gootloader, CastleRAT and StealC malware families. The operation uncovered more than 6 million credential records, many of which belong to users of compromised WordPress sites.

## What was taken down

The coordinated effort targeted the backend infrastructure that supported three distinct threats. Gootloader, active since 2020, delivers hidden JavaScript that triggers PowerShell scripts on victims’ machines. CastleRAT, first observed in 2025, functions as a remote‑access trojan, while StealC operates as an infostealer that siphons login data, cryptocurrency wallet details and other private information. Across the three families, investigators seized 257 domains and 235 servers.

## Scale of the breach

Analysis of the confiscated infrastructure revealed 6.4 million distinct victim data sets, translating to over six million stolen credentials. Europol said victim data will be shared through notification services such as Have I Been Pwned, Shadowserver, Sekoia, DIVD, NoMoreLeaks, CheckjeHack and the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre, so that affected people can be alerted and check whether they are exposed.

## Why WordPress owners should act

Gootloader frequently gains entry by poisoning search‑engine results that redirect users to compromised WordPress installations. Once a site is infected, the malware can harvest credentials from visitors and site administrators alike. Security experts therefore urge anyone who runs a WordPress site—or logs into one—to change passwords immediately, activate multi‑factor authentication and apply any pending software patches.

## Advice for users whose data may have been leaked

Individuals whose email addresses or login details appear in the released data should be alert for phishing attempts that reuse the stolen information. Changing passwords on all accounts, especially those that reuse credentials, and monitoring financial statements for unauthorized activity are prudent steps. Enabling MFA wherever possible adds an extra barrier against account takeover.

## Broader impact

The takedown underscores the trans‑national nature of cybercrime, with police from nine countries across Europe and North America taking part, among them Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Canada and the US. While the exact number of victims remains unknown, the scale of the operation demonstrates how widely deployed malicious infrastructure can affect users worldwide, particularly those who rely on popular content‑management systems.

### Sources

- [BleepingComputer](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/police-dismantles-gootloader-castlerat-stealc-malware-infrastructure/?ref=cyberdelegate.com)
- [France: rançongiciel (bing)](https://www.lemagit.fr/actualites/366654643/Operation-Endgame-la-saison-4-commence-avec-Gootloader?ref=cyberdelegate.com)

*This brief was prepared with AI assistance from the sources above and reviewed by our editors.*