Event Triggered Execution: Component Object Model Hijacking

Adversaries may establish persistence by executing malicious content triggered by hijacked references to Component Object Model (COM) objects.

Executes dropped EXE

Loads dropped DLL

Reads user/profile data of local email clients

Email clients store some user data on disk where infostealers will often target it.

Reads user/profile data of web browsers

Infostealers often target stored browser data, which can include saved credentials etc.

Checks installed software on the system

Looks up Uninstall key entries in the registry to enumerate software on the system.

Checks whether UAC is enabled

Installs/modifies Browser Helper Object

BHOs are DLL modules which act as plugins for Internet Explorer.

Looks up external IP address via web service

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

Network Share Discovery

Attempt to gather information on host network.

Checks system information in the registry

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

Drops file in System32 directory