What is the likely cause of multiple end users downloading files with the .tar.gz extension without consent?

The situation described involves multiple end users downloading files with the .tar.gz extension without their consent, suggesting a coordinated and unauthorized action likely driven by malicious software. This points towards a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) being the cause.

A RAT is a type of malware that provides an attacker with remote access to a user's computer. Once a RAT is installed, it can perform various actions, including downloading and executing additional files, which could include exploit tools packaged in .tar.gz format. The fact that multiple users are affected indicates that the RAT could be propagating across their systems or there is some form of centralized management by the attacker, enabling the unauthorized downloads.

The other potential causes presented do not align as closely with the nature of the incident. For instance, while the command-and-control server scenario pertains to broader command issuance from an attacker, it does not specifically highlight unauthorized file downloads. Logic bombs refer to malicious code triggered under specific conditions but would not necessarily cause the generalized behavior of multiple downloads across different user accounts. Lastly, while a fireless virus spreads through memory and exploits specific vulnerabilities, it doesn’t specifically point towards the targeted downloading behavior that is being observed in this instance. Therefore, the indication of a RAT aligns best with the nature and scale