Before building and running this code, ensure you have the following installed on a Linux host:

• gcc - GNU Compiler Collection
• golang - Go programming language
• electric-fence - Memory debugging library
• mysql-server - MySQL database server
• mysql-client - MySQL database client
• build-essential - Essential build tools
• crossbuild-essential-armel - Cross-compilation tools for ARM

Additional Resources:

• For detailed setup instructions and background information, refer to the original leak post in ForumPost.txt or view the formatted version at ForumPost.md.

⚠️ CRITICAL DISCLAIMER
This repository contains the leaked source code of the Mirai botnet, originally created to infect IoT devices and launch large-scale DDoS attacks. This code is provided strictly for cybersecurity research, reverse engineering, malware analysis, and detection development purposes only.

⚠️ WARNING: Do not use this code to attack or scan any real devices or networks. Unauthorized use is illegal and violates GitHub policy.

🛡️ SECURITY NOTICE: The zip file for this repo is being identified by some AV programs as malware. Please take caution.

• About Mirai
• Repository Structure
• Requirements
• How to Use (Lab Research Only)
• Learning Use Cases
• Do NOT Use For
• References
• Credits
• Acknowledgments

Mirai is a malware botnet that infects Internet of Things (IoT) devices using default or weak login credentials. Once infected, these devices are controlled by a command-and-control (CnC) server and can be used to launch DDoS attacks.

This repo is a fork of the original leaked source code and includes components such as:

• The bot (runs on IoT devices)
• The CnC server
• The loader (infects devices)
• Scanning and deployment scripts

You must use isolated VMs or an offline network. Never run this on a real device or public network.

Install on a Linux host:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gcc make build-essential git crossbuild-essential-armel -y

git clone https://github.com/jgamblin/Mirai-Source-Code.git
cd Mirai-Source-Code

./build.sh

This will:

• Cross-compile the bot for different IoT architectures (MIPS, ARM, etc.)

• Compile the CnC server for your local machine

You can customize the build script and source code paths if needed.

Create a virtual lab with:

• 1 Ubuntu VM for CnC and loader

• 1 or more OpenWRT/Linux VMs simulating IoT devices

Use Host-Only or Internal Networking mode to keep the lab isolated.

• Start the CnC server (mirai/cnc/cnc)

• Run the loader to infect virtual IoT VMs

• Observe communication logs, infection, and payload delivery

You can use this source code to:

• Understand how botnets spread through weak credentials

• Reverse engineer malware behavior

• Write intrusion detection rules (YARA, Snort, Suricata)

• Develop antivirus and botnet defenses

• Study CnC-to-bot protocol and build simulators

• Scanning or infecting real IoT devices

• DDoS attacks

• Deploying the bot to the public internet

Any such use is illegal and against GitHub policy.

• Original Leak on Hackforums (2016)
• DDoS Analysis of Mirai by MalwareMustDie
• US-CERT Alert TA16-288A

Original Author: Anna-senpai - Original Mirai botnet source code leak (2016)
Note: The original forum appears to be inactive as of now.

Special thanks to Pushpenderrathore for the improved README structure and comprehensive documentation that makes this educational resource more accessible for cybersecurity research.