darkcomet | cbda73ebcf4af6763dded20544a0658366740bbaf9791baf177391514498072b

Processes:

AzoteClient.exe

description	ioc	process
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\UserInit = "C:\\Windows\\system32\\userinit.exe,C:\\Users\\Admin\\Documents\\MSDCSC\\msdcsc.exe"	AzoteClient.exe

Modifies firewall policy service 2 TTPs 3 IoCs

evasion

Modify Registry

Windows Service

T1543.003

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile	msdcsc.exe
Set value (int)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\EnableFirewall = "0"	msdcsc.exe
Set value (int)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\StandardProfile\DisableNotifications = "0"	msdcsc.exe

Modifies security service 2 TTPs 1 IoCs
evasion

Modify Registry
T1112

Windows Service
T1543.003

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

description ioc process

Set value (int) \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\wscsvc\Start = "4" msdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Set value (int)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\wscsvc\Start = "4"	msdcsc.exe

Windows security bypass 2 TTPs 2 IoCs

evasion trojan

Disable or Modify Tools

T1562.001

Modify Registry

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"	msdcsc.exe
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"	msdcsc.exe

Disables RegEdit via registry modification 1 IoCs

evasion

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Set value (int)	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3808065738-1666277613-1125846146-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DisableRegistryTools = "1"	msdcsc.exe

Disables Task Manager via registry modification
evasion
Sets file to hidden 1 TTPs 2 IoCs
Modifies file attributes to stop it showing in Explorer etc.
evasion

Hidden Files and Directories
T1564.001

Processes:

attrib.exeattrib.exe

pid process

1188 attrib.exe
4264 attrib.exe

pid	process
1188	attrib.exe
4264	attrib.exe

Checks computer location settings 2 TTPs 1 IoCs

Looks up country code configured in the registry, likely geofence.

Query Registry

T1012

System Information Discovery

T1082

Processes:

AzoteClient.exe

description	ioc	process
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3808065738-1666277613-1125846146-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	AzoteClient.exe

Deletes itself 1 IoCs

Processes:

notepad.exe

pid process

1996 notepad.exe
Executes dropped EXE 1 IoCs

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

pid process

3148 msdcsc.exe

pid	process
1996	notepad.exe

pid	process
3148	msdcsc.exe

UPX packed file 11 IoCs

Detects executables packed with UPX/modified UPX open source packer.

upx

Processes:

resource	yara_rule
behavioral2/memory/864-0-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
C:\Users\Admin\Documents\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-64-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/864-67-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-69-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-70-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-73-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-75-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-77-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-79-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/3148-81-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx

Windows security modification 2 TTPs 2 IoCs

evasion trojan

Disable or Modify Tools

T1562.001

Modify Registry

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"	msdcsc.exe
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"	msdcsc.exe

Adds Run key to start application 2 TTPs 2 IoCs

persistence

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Modify Registry

Processes:

AzoteClient.exemsdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3808065738-1666277613-1125846146-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\MicroUpdate = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\Documents\\MSDCSC\\msdcsc.exe"	AzoteClient.exe
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-3808065738-1666277613-1125846146-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\MicroUpdate = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\Documents\\MSDCSC\\msdcsc.exe"	msdcsc.exe

Enumerates physical storage devices 1 TTPs
Attempts to interact with connected storage/optical drive(s).

System Information Discovery
T1082
Modifies registry class 1 IoCs

Processes:

AzoteClient.exe

description ioc process

Key created \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\ AzoteClient.exe
Suspicious behavior: GetForegroundWindowSpam 1 IoCs

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

pid process

3148 msdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\	AzoteClient.exe

pid	process
3148	msdcsc.exe

Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken 48 IoCs

Processes:

AzoteClient.exemsdcsc.exe

description	pid	process
Token: SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSecurityPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeLoadDriverPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSystemProfilePrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSystemtimePrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeProfSingleProcessPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeCreatePagefilePrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeBackupPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeRestorePrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeShutdownPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeChangeNotifyPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeRemoteShutdownPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeUndockPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeManageVolumePrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeImpersonatePrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeCreateGlobalPrivilege	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 33	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 34	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 35	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 36	864	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSecurityPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeLoadDriverPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSystemProfilePrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSystemtimePrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeProfSingleProcessPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeCreatePagefilePrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeBackupPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeRestorePrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeShutdownPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeChangeNotifyPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeRemoteShutdownPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeUndockPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeManageVolumePrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeImpersonatePrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeCreateGlobalPrivilege	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: 33	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: 34	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: 35	3148	msdcsc.exe
Token: 36	3148	msdcsc.exe

Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx 1 IoCs

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

pid process

3148 msdcsc.exe

pid	process
3148	msdcsc.exe

Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory 59 IoCs

Processes:

AzoteClient.execmd.execmd.exemsdcsc.exe

description	pid	process	target process
PID 864 wrote to memory of 4328	864	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 4328	864	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 4328	864	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 2372	864	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 2372	864	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 2372	864	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 1996	864	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4328 wrote to memory of 1188	4328	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4328 wrote to memory of 1188	4328	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4328 wrote to memory of 1188	4328	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 2372 wrote to memory of 4264	2372	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 2372 wrote to memory of 4264	2372	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 2372 wrote to memory of 4264	2372	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 3148	864	AzoteClient.exe	msdcsc.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 3148	864	AzoteClient.exe	msdcsc.exe
PID 864 wrote to memory of 3148	864	AzoteClient.exe	msdcsc.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2236	3148	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2236	3148	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2236	3148	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2788	3148	msdcsc.exe	explorer.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2788	3148	msdcsc.exe	explorer.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe
PID 3148 wrote to memory of 2060	3148	msdcsc.exe	notepad.exe

System policy modification 1 TTPs 3 IoCs

evasion

Modify Registry

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

description	ioc	process
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion	msdcsc.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion\Explorern	msdcsc.exe
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CurrentVersion\Explorern\NoControlPanel = "1"	msdcsc.exe

Views/modifies file attributes 1 TTPs 2 IoCs
evasion

Hidden Files and Directories
T1564.001

Processes:

attrib.exeattrib.exe

pid process

1188 attrib.exe
4264 attrib.exe

pid	process
1188	attrib.exe
4264	attrib.exe

C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\AzoteClient.exe
"C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\AzoteClient.exe"
1⤵
- Modifies WinLogon for persistence
- Checks computer location settings
- Adds Run key to start application
- Modifies registry class
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:864

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe
"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /k attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\AzoteClient.exe" +s +h
2⤵
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:4328

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe
attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\AzoteClient.exe" +s +h
3⤵
- Sets file to hidden
- Views/modifies file attributes
PID:1188

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe
"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /k attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp" +s +h
2⤵
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:2372

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe
attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp" +s +h
3⤵
- Sets file to hidden
- Views/modifies file attributes
PID:4264

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\notepad.exe
notepad
2⤵
- Deletes itself
PID:1996

C:\Users\Admin\Documents\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe
"C:\Users\Admin\Documents\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe"
2⤵
- Modifies firewall policy service
- Modifies security service
- Windows security bypass
- Disables RegEdit via registry modification
- Executes dropped EXE
- Windows security modification
- Adds Run key to start application
- Suspicious behavior: GetForegroundWindowSpam
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
- Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
- System policy modification
PID:3148

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
3⤵
PID:2236

C:\Windows\explorer.exe
"C:\Windows\explorer.exe"
3⤵
PID:2788

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\notepad.exe
notepad
3⤵
PID:2060

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --type=utility --utility-sub-type=asset_store.mojom.AssetStoreService --lang=en-US --service-sandbox-type=asset_store_service --no-appcompat-clear --mojo-platform-channel-handle=3804 --field-trial-handle=2264,i,15001568551143786084,90255922961447677,262144 --variations-seed-version /prefetch:8
1⤵
PID:1708

Network

MITRE ATT&CK Matrix ATT&CK v13

Initial Access

Execution

Persistence

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1547

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Winlogon Helper DLL

T1547.004

Create or Modify System Process

T1543

Windows Service

T1543.003

Privilege Escalation

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1547

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Winlogon Helper DLL

T1547.004

Create or Modify System Process

T1543

Windows Service

T1543.003

Defense Evasion

Modify Registry

7

Impair Defenses

T1562

Disable or Modify Tools

T1562.001

Hide Artifacts

T1564

Hidden Files and Directories

T1564.001

Credential Access

Discovery

Query Registry

T1012

System Information Discovery