Security researchers have discovered a rare strain of router-rooting malware that targets network devices running either Linux or Unix.
The malware, which poses as an Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) file, carries out a brute-force attack on router user name-password pairs from compromised PCs.

If successful, the malware sets up an IRC backdoor onto compromised systems. Early tests by net security firm Trend Micro have confirmed that the malware works on routers from D-Link. Other systems may also be affected.

Trend reports that the malware (dubbed ELF_Tsunami-R) is circulating in Latin America. While incidents of the malware are low the damage potential is high, Trend Micro warns.

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