darkcomet | 158ae9f5635e5da95fd6762cd9988719fd850e6227895e4a364fb5c773a38d22

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 6 IoCs

Modify Registry

Windows Service

Processes:

iexplore.exemsdcsc.exe

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

Modifies security service 2 TTPs 2 IoCs

Modify Registry

Windows Service

Processes:

msdcsc.exeiexplore.exe

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

Windows security bypass 2 TTPs 4 IoCs

evasion trojan

Disable or Modify Tools

T1562.001

Modify Registry

Processes:

iexplore.exemsdcsc.exe

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

Processes:

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

1116 attrib.exe
3504 attrib.exe

pid	process
1116	attrib.exe
3504	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

4352 notepad.exe
Executes dropped EXE 1 IoCs

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

pid process

4576 msdcsc.exe

pid	process
4352	notepad.exe

pid	process
4576	msdcsc.exe

UPX packed file 6 IoCs

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

upx

Processes:

resource	yara_rule
behavioral2/memory/4484-0-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
C:\Users\Admin\Documents\MSDCSC\msdcsc.exe	upx
behavioral2/memory/4484-63-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/4576-65-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/2004-67-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-memory.dmp	upx
behavioral2/memory/4576-68-0x0000000000400000-0x00000000004E8000-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\UpdatesDisableNotify = "1"	msdcsc.exe
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Security Center\AntiVirusDisableNotify = "1"	msdcsc.exe

Adds Run key to start application 2 TTPs 3 IoCs

persistence

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Modify Registry

Processes:

AzoteClient.exemsdcsc.exeiexplore.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
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"	iexplore.exe

Suspicious use of SetThreadContext 1 IoCs

Processes:

msdcsc.exe

description pid process target process

PID 4576 set thread context of 2004 4576 msdcsc.exe iexplore.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:

iexplore.exe

pid process

2004 iexplore.exe

description	pid	process	target process
PID 4576 set thread context of 2004	4576	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe

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

pid	process
2004	iexplore.exe

Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken 64 IoCs

Processes:

AzoteClient.exemsdcsc.exeiexplore.exe

description	pid	process
Token: SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSecurityPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeLoadDriverPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSystemProfilePrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSystemtimePrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeProfSingleProcessPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeCreatePagefilePrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeBackupPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeRestorePrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeShutdownPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeChangeNotifyPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeRemoteShutdownPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeUndockPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeManageVolumePrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeImpersonatePrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeCreateGlobalPrivilege	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 33	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 34	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 35	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: 36	4484	AzoteClient.exe
Token: SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSecurityPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeLoadDriverPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSystemProfilePrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSystemtimePrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeProfSingleProcessPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeCreatePagefilePrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeBackupPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeRestorePrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeShutdownPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeChangeNotifyPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeRemoteShutdownPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeUndockPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeManageVolumePrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeImpersonatePrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeCreateGlobalPrivilege	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: 33	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: 34	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: 35	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: 36	4576	msdcsc.exe
Token: SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeSecurityPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeLoadDriverPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeSystemProfilePrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeSystemtimePrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeProfSingleProcessPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeCreatePagefilePrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeBackupPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeRestorePrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeShutdownPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeChangeNotifyPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe
Token: SeRemoteShutdownPrivilege	2004	iexplore.exe

Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx 1 IoCs

Processes:

iexplore.exe

pid process

2004 iexplore.exe

pid	process
2004	iexplore.exe

Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory 59 IoCs

Processes:

AzoteClient.execmd.execmd.exemsdcsc.exeiexplore.exe

description	pid	process	target process
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4104	4484	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4104	4484	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4104	4484	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4564	4484	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4564	4484	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4564	4484	AzoteClient.exe	cmd.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4352	4484	AzoteClient.exe	notepad.exe
PID 4104 wrote to memory of 3504	4104	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4104 wrote to memory of 3504	4104	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4104 wrote to memory of 3504	4104	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4564 wrote to memory of 1116	4564	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4564 wrote to memory of 1116	4564	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4564 wrote to memory of 1116	4564	cmd.exe	attrib.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4576	4484	AzoteClient.exe	msdcsc.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4576	4484	AzoteClient.exe	msdcsc.exe
PID 4484 wrote to memory of 4576	4484	AzoteClient.exe	msdcsc.exe
PID 4576 wrote to memory of 2004	4576	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 4576 wrote to memory of 2004	4576	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 4576 wrote to memory of 2004	4576	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 4576 wrote to memory of 2004	4576	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 4576 wrote to memory of 2004	4576	msdcsc.exe	iexplore.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe
PID 2004 wrote to memory of 3556	2004	iexplore.exe	notepad.exe

System policy modification 1 TTPs 3 IoCs

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

1116 attrib.exe
3504 attrib.exe

pid	process
1116	attrib.exe
3504	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:4484

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:4104

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:3504

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:4564

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\attrib.exe
attrib "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp" +s +h
3⤵
- Sets file to hidden
- Views/modifies file attributes
PID:1116

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\notepad.exe
notepad
2⤵
- Deletes itself
PID:4352

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 use of SetThreadContext
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
- System policy modification
PID:4576

C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"
3⤵
- Modifies firewall policy service
- Modifies security service
- Windows security bypass
- Disables RegEdit via registry modification
- Adds Run key to start application
- Suspicious behavior: GetForegroundWindowSpam
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
- Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:2004

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\notepad.exe
notepad
4⤵
PID:3556

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=1028 --field-trial-handle=2328,i,5873823382323802923,13134441441264702821,262144 --variations-seed-version /prefetch:8
1⤵
PID:2672

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

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

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