Analysis Overview
SHA256
88695f106560d1c1848111fdcef15e2983f0f0f2c5a8f8957df0cc530783f896
Threat Level: Known bad
The file 6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78 was found to be: Known bad.
Malicious Activity Summary
Darkcomet
Modifies WinLogon for persistence
Modifies security service
Windows security bypass
Modifies firewall policy service
Darkcomet family
Sets file to hidden
Disables RegEdit via registry modification
Disables Task Manager via registry modification
Executes dropped EXE
Loads dropped DLL
Checks computer location settings
Windows security modification
UPX packed file
Adds Run key to start application
Suspicious use of SetThreadContext
Drops file in Windows directory
Enumerates physical storage devices
Unsigned PE
Suspicious behavior: GetForegroundWindowSpam
Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
Modifies registry class
Views/modifies file attributes
Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
System policy modification
MITRE ATT&CK
Enterprise Matrix V15
Analysis: static1
Detonation Overview
Reported
2024-01-20 21:02
Signatures
Darkcomet family
UPX packed file
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Unsigned PE
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Analysis: behavioral1
Detonation Overview
Submitted
2024-01-20 21:02
Reported
2024-01-20 21:05
Platform
win7-20231215-en
Max time kernel
121s
Max time network
124s
Command Line
Signatures
Darkcomet
Modifies WinLogon for persistence
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\UserInit = "C:\\Windows\\system32\\userinit.exe,C:\\Windows\\MSDCSC\\msdcsc.exe" | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Modifies firewall policy service
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\EnableFirewall = "0" | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | N/A |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\DisableNotifications = "0" | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | N/A |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\EnableFirewall = "0" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\DisableNotifications = "0" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | N/A |
Modifies security service
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\wscsvc\Start = "4" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\wscsvc\Start = "4" | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | N/A |
Windows security bypass
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Disables RegEdit via registry modification
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3308111660-3636268597-2291490419-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableRegistryTools = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3308111660-3636268597-2291490419-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableRegistryTools = "1" | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | N/A |
Disables Task Manager via registry modification
Sets file to hidden
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
Executes dropped EXE
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Loads dropped DLL
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
UPX packed file
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Windows security modification
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Adds Run key to start application
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3308111660-3636268597-2291490419-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\MicroUpdate = "C:\\Windows\\MSDCSC\\msdcsc.exe" | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Suspicious use of SetThreadContext
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| PID 2844 set thread context of 2628 | N/A | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe |
Drops file in Windows directory
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| File opened for modification | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
| File opened for modification | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\ | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
| File created | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Enumerates physical storage devices
Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
System policy modification
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion\Explorern | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion\Explorern\NoControlPanel = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Views/modifies file attributes
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
Processes
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe
"C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe"
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe
"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /k attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe" +s +h
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe
"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /k attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp" +s +h
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe
attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp" +s +h
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe
attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe" +s +h
C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe
"C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe"
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
Network
Files
memory/2672-0-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/2672-1-0x00000000003D0000-0x00000000003D1000-memory.dmp
C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe
| MD5 | 6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78 |
| SHA1 | c81c521e28d81be3dd1ea6d9980af29ef79e944c |
| SHA256 | 88695f106560d1c1848111fdcef15e2983f0f0f2c5a8f8957df0cc530783f896 |
| SHA512 | 2fcc6591dd012a1d8a6a7d4b145c51ac07e00ffcb7906c9bc42804a19cf287dfa917e166f1b423c3a69e97b70520dd4605024a998e6e7f2c88a06d218f08f920 |
memory/2672-12-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/2844-13-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/2844-15-0x00000000003E0000-0x00000000003E1000-memory.dmp
memory/2628-16-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/2844-17-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
Analysis: behavioral2
Detonation Overview
Submitted
2024-01-20 21:02
Reported
2024-01-20 21:04
Platform
win10v2004-20231215-en
Max time kernel
150s
Max time network
149s
Command Line
Signatures
Darkcomet
Modifies WinLogon for persistence
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\UserInit = "C:\\Windows\\system32\\userinit.exe,C:\\Windows\\MSDCSC\\msdcsc.exe" | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Modifies firewall policy service
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\EnableFirewall = "0" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\DisableNotifications = "0" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Modifies security service
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\wscsvc\Start = "4" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Windows security bypass
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Disables RegEdit via registry modification
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (int) | \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-1232405761-1209240240-3206092754-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableRegistryTools = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Disables Task Manager via registry modification
Sets file to hidden
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
Checks computer location settings
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Key value queried | \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-1232405761-1209240240-3206092754-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Executes dropped EXE
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
UPX packed file
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Windows security modification
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Adds Run key to start application
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-1232405761-1209240240-3206092754-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\MicroUpdate = "C:\\Windows\\MSDCSC\\msdcsc.exe" | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Drops file in Windows directory
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| File created | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
| File opened for modification | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
| File opened for modification | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\ | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Enumerates physical storage devices
Modifies registry class
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\ | C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe | N/A |
Suspicious behavior: GetForegroundWindowSpam
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
System policy modification
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Key created | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion\Explorern | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
| Set value (str) | \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion\Explorern\NoControlPanel = "1" | C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe | N/A |
Views/modifies file attributes
| Description | Indicator | Process | Target |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe | N/A |
Processes
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe
"C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe"
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe
"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /k attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe" +s +h
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe
"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /k attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp" +s +h
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe
attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78.exe" +s +h
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe
attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp" +s +h
C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe
"C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe"
C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
"C:\Windows\explorer.exe"
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\notepad.exe
notepad
Network
| Country | Destination | Domain | Proto |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 196.249.167.52.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| US | 138.91.171.81:80 | tcp | |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 0.204.248.87.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| N/A | 10.127.0.18:27015 | tcp | |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 17.160.190.20.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| RU | 94.243.21.22:27015 | tcp | |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 228.249.119.40.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| N/A | 10.127.0.18:27015 | tcp | |
| RU | 94.243.21.22:27015 | tcp | |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 103.169.127.40.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 18.31.95.13.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 134.71.91.104.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| N/A | 10.127.0.18:27015 | tcp | |
| RU | 94.243.21.22:27015 | tcp | |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 196.178.17.96.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| N/A | 10.127.0.18:27015 | tcp | |
| RU | 94.243.21.22:27015 | tcp | |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 13.227.111.52.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 186.178.17.96.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| N/A | 10.127.0.18:27015 | tcp | |
| RU | 94.243.21.22:27015 | tcp | |
| N/A | 10.127.0.18:27015 | tcp | |
| RU | 94.243.21.22:27015 | tcp | |
| N/A | 10.127.0.18:27015 | tcp | |
| US | 8.8.8.8:53 | 26.73.42.20.in-addr.arpa | udp |
| RU | 94.243.21.22:27015 | tcp |
Files
memory/2432-0-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/2432-1-0x00000000024E0000-0x00000000024E1000-memory.dmp
C:\Windows\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe
| MD5 | 6b78492169ace001ed943e1c098dbc78 |
| SHA1 | c81c521e28d81be3dd1ea6d9980af29ef79e944c |
| SHA256 | 88695f106560d1c1848111fdcef15e2983f0f0f2c5a8f8957df0cc530783f896 |
| SHA512 | 2fcc6591dd012a1d8a6a7d4b145c51ac07e00ffcb7906c9bc42804a19cf287dfa917e166f1b423c3a69e97b70520dd4605024a998e6e7f2c88a06d218f08f920 |
memory/2432-63-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-62-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-64-0x00000000006B0000-0x00000000006B1000-memory.dmp
memory/4388-65-0x0000000001360000-0x0000000001361000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-66-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-68-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-70-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-73-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-75-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp
memory/4608-77-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004BA000-memory.dmp