The IoT Botnet Threat Landscape in 2025
IoT Botnet Current Status
The explosive growth of IoT (Internet of Things) devices has provided botnets with massive attack resources. By mid-2025, the number of connected IoT devices worldwide has exceeded 18 billion, a significant portion of which have security vulnerabilities, making them prime targets for attackers building botnets.
Key Threat Data
| Metric | Data | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Global active IoT botnets | 150+ | +35% |
| Total infected IoT devices | ~12 million | +28% |
| IoT botnet DDoS attack share | 43% | +8% |
| Average nodes per botnet | 80,000 | +15% |
Mirai Variant Evolution
From Mirai to Next-Generation Variants
Since the Mirai source code was publicly released in 2016, Mirai-based variants have proliferated. 2025 IoT botnets, while inheriting Mirai's core architecture, exhibit stronger stealth and destructive power.
Encrypted Communications
Next-generation variants increasingly adopt TLS-encrypted C2 communications, increasing the difficulty of traffic analysis. Traditional detection methods based on plaintext characteristics are no longer effective.
Multi-Architecture Support
Simultaneously supporting x86, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC and other CPU architectures, capable of infecting devices ranging from routers to servers.
Modular Design
Plugin-based architecture allows dynamic loading of attack modules, including DDoS, mining, and data theft, with functionality expandable on demand.
P2P Networks
Decentralized C2 architecture makes botnets harder to dismantle. Even if some nodes are removed, the network can continue operating.
Major Variants in 2025
Combines worm propagation and P2P communication capabilities, with infection scope covering routers, cameras, and smart TVs. Mozi's P2P network uses DHT (Distributed Hash Table) protocol, providing extremely strong resilience against takedowns.
Uses the BitTorrent protocol for C2 communications with self-update capabilities. Hajime's code quality is extremely high, believed to have been developed by nation-state actors.
Integrates code from multiple known botnets (Mirai, Gafgyt, etc.), supporting exploitation of the latest vulnerabilities for propagation. Its modular design enables rapid adaptation to newly emerging vulnerabilities.
Written in Go language with strong cross-platform capabilities, supporting multiple DDoS attack vectors. Go's cross-compilation capabilities enables easy generation of malicious samples targeting different architectures.
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IoT Device Vulnerability Analysis
Common Vulnerability Types
Due to resource constraints and short development cycles, IoT devices commonly have the following security deficiencies:
| Vulnerability Type | Share | Risk Level | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardcoded credentials | 35% | High | Using default or hardcoded usernames and passwords |
| Unencrypted communications | 60% | Medium-High | Management interfaces using plaintext HTTP protocol |
| Lack of automatic updates | 88% | High | No firmware automatic update mechanism |
| Exposed management interfaces | 45% | Extremely High | Telnet/SSH directly exposed on the public internet |
High-Risk Vulnerability Exploitation
IoT vulnerabilities widely exploited by botnets in 2025 include:
- CVE-2024-21887: Ivanti Connect Secure remote code execution vulnerability
- CVE-2025-0282: Authentication bypass vulnerability in a brand of routers, affecting over 2 million devices
- CVE-2025-1094: Smart camera buffer overflow vulnerability, exploitable for remote malware implantation
Infection Path Analysis
Typical Infection Chain
Scanning Discovery → Weak Password Brute Force/Vulnerability Exploitation → Malware Download → Persistence → C2 Registration → Awaiting Attack Commands
Propagation Methods
| Propagation Method | Share | Speed | Stealth | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brute force | 40% | Medium | Low | Exploiting built-in credential dictionaries to brute force Telnet/SSH |
| Vulnerability exploitation | 30% | Fast | Medium | Exploiting known vulnerabilities to directly gain device control |
| Worm propagation | 20% | Extremely fast | Medium | Infected devices automatically scan for new targets |
| Supply chain attacks | 10% | Slow | High | Batch implantation through infecting firmware update servers |
Protection Recommendations
Device Manufacturers
- Secure development lifecycle: Introduce security assessments during product design, following secure coding standards
- Principle of least privilege: Disable unnecessary functions and service ports
- Encrypted communications: Use HTTPS/TLS encryption for all management interfaces
- Automatic updates: Implement automatic security patch push and installation mechanisms
Enterprise Users
Network Segmentation
Isolate IoT devices in dedicated VLANs, restricting their communication with other network segments. Even if devices are compromised, this prevents lateral attack spread.
Traffic Monitoring
Monitor anomalous outbound connections from IoT devices, especially high-volume communications with unknown IPs. Deploy NDR (Network Detection and Response) tools for real-time monitoring.
Access Control
Restrict IoT devices' internet access permissions, allowing only necessary communications. Implement Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) strategies.
Regular Audits
Regularly scan and assess the security status of IoT devices, promptly updating firmware and patching vulnerabilities. Maintain a device asset inventory.
DDoS Protection
Facing large-scale DDoS attacks launched by IoT botnets, enterprises need to deploy professional protection solutions. The Hiddos platform, through its AI-driven traffic analysis engine, can identify botnet traffic characteristics in real time, combined with globally distributed scrubbing nodes to provide Tbps-level protection capabilities. Additionally, Hiddos's threat intelligence system continuously tracks known botnet activity patterns, enabling attack early warning and proactive protection.
Conclusion
IoT botnets remain one of the primary sources of DDoS attacks in 2025. With the continued growth of IoT device numbers and the ongoing evolution of attack techniques, enterprises and device manufacturers need to work together to build comprehensive defense systems from three levels: device security, network protection, and incident response.
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