Analysis
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max time kernel
96s -
max time network
145s -
platform
windows10-2004_x64 -
resource
win10v2004-20241007-en -
resource tags
arch:x64arch:x86image:win10v2004-20241007-enlocale:en-usos:windows10-2004-x64system -
submitted
25-11-2024 06:14
Behavioral task
behavioral1
Sample
PepperX.exe
Resource
win7-20241023-en
Behavioral task
behavioral2
Sample
PepperX.exe
Resource
win10v2004-20241007-en
General
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Target
PepperX.exe
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Size
81KB
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MD5
b950502f66e5c9b058f340ab24b3b5ab
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SHA1
fad3abdf88ef351b25ef339a6d1a082d8516b9e9
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SHA256
d45f6608d6afc48189e0ef63e489f9034cd3e864a95d634640df53ad302b42b3
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SHA512
132235bf2ad67b8b22428e716a27d35b024c38ca09e770237688b4d4e88eb4f44a98b267c068f422aa75a6050bfff3db6073bc71619b5bb85fb76ddf9833a5f9
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SSDEEP
1536:w3kIZ4nmr9iW2wU3gUvpdO0J//E2dLEgtMRloDpU:w3kI4nmr9iY7MhdHMRl6pU
Malware Config
Signatures
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Chaos
Ransomware family first seen in June 2021.
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Chaos Ransomware 2 IoCs
resource yara_rule behavioral2/memory/3012-0-0x0000000000770000-0x000000000078A000-memory.dmp family_chaos behavioral2/files/0x0008000000023c85-6.dat family_chaos -
Chaos family
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Deletes shadow copies 3 TTPs
Ransomware often targets backup files to inhibit system recovery.
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Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit 1 TTPs 2 IoCs
pid Process 4788 bcdedit.exe 2668 bcdedit.exe -
pid Process 3304 wbadmin.exe -
Checks computer location settings 2 TTPs 2 IoCs
Looks up country code configured in the registry, likely geofence.
description ioc Process Key value queried \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-4050598569-1597076380-177084960-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation PepperX.exe Key value queried \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-4050598569-1597076380-177084960-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation svchost.exe -
Drops startup file 3 IoCs
description ioc Process File created C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\svchost.url svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\desktop.ini svchost.exe File created C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\read_it.txt svchost.exe -
Executes dropped EXE 1 IoCs
pid Process 3596 svchost.exe -
Reads user/profile data of web browsers 3 TTPs
Infostealers often target stored browser data, which can include saved credentials etc.
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Drops desktop.ini file(s) 34 IoCs
description ioc Process File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Pictures\Camera Roll\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Pictures\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Documents\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\OneDrive\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Videos\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Maintenance\Desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Public\Videos\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Public\Desktop\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification F:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-4050598569-1597076380-177084960-1000\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Searches\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Saved Games\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Favorites\Links\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Public\Documents\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Contacts\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Music\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Pictures\Saved Pictures\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Favorites\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\Desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Public\Pictures\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Public\Music\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Downloads\desktop.ini svchost.exe File opened for modification C:\Users\Admin\Links\desktop.ini svchost.exe -
Sets desktop wallpaper using registry 2 TTPs 1 IoCs
description ioc Process Set value (str) \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-4050598569-1597076380-177084960-1000\Control Panel\Desktop\Wallpaper = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\e3rjxg4du.jpg" svchost.exe -
Enumerates physical storage devices 1 TTPs
Attempts to interact with connected storage/optical drive(s).
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Checks SCSI registry key(s) 3 TTPs 4 IoCs
SCSI information is often read in order to detect sandboxing environments.
description ioc Process Key opened \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\SCSI\DISK&VEN_WDC&PROD_WDS100T2B0A\4&215468A5&0&000000 vds.exe Key value queried \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\SCSI\Disk&Ven_WDC&Prod_WDS100T2B0A\4&215468a5&0&000000\FriendlyName vds.exe Key opened \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\SCSI\CDROM&VEN_QEMU&PROD_QEMU_DVD-ROM\4&215468A5&0&010000 vds.exe Key value queried \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\SCSI\CdRom&Ven_QEMU&Prod_QEMU_DVD-ROM\4&215468a5&0&010000\FriendlyName vds.exe -
Checks processor information in registry 2 TTPs 3 IoCs
Processor information is often read in order to detect sandboxing environments.
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
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 -
Interacts with shadow copies 3 TTPs 1 IoCs
Shadow copies are often targeted by ransomware to inhibit system recovery.
pid Process 1776 vssadmin.exe -
Modifies registry class 1 IoCs
description ioc Process Key created \REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-4050598569-1597076380-177084960-1000_Classes\Local Settings svchost.exe -
Opens file in notepad (likely ransom note) 1 IoCs
pid Process 4236 NOTEPAD.EXE -
Suspicious behavior: AddClipboardFormatListener 2 IoCs
pid Process 3596 svchost.exe 4448 EXCEL.EXE -
Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses 49 IoCs
pid Process 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3012 PepperX.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe 3596 svchost.exe -
Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken 50 IoCs
description pid Process Token: SeDebugPrivilege 3012 PepperX.exe Token: SeDebugPrivilege 3596 svchost.exe Token: SeBackupPrivilege 4740 vssvc.exe Token: SeRestorePrivilege 4740 vssvc.exe Token: SeAuditPrivilege 4740 vssvc.exe Token: SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSecurityPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeLoadDriverPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSystemProfilePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSystemtimePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeProfSingleProcessPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeCreatePagefilePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeBackupPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeRestorePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeShutdownPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeDebugPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeRemoteShutdownPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeUndockPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeManageVolumePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 33 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 34 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 35 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 36 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSecurityPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeLoadDriverPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSystemProfilePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSystemtimePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeProfSingleProcessPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeCreatePagefilePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeBackupPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeRestorePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeShutdownPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeDebugPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeRemoteShutdownPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeUndockPrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeManageVolumePrivilege 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 33 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 34 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 35 3100 WMIC.exe Token: 36 3100 WMIC.exe Token: SeBackupPrivilege 4340 wbengine.exe Token: SeRestorePrivilege 4340 wbengine.exe Token: SeSecurityPrivilege 4340 wbengine.exe -
Suspicious use of FindShellTrayWindow 1 IoCs
pid Process 4236 NOTEPAD.EXE -
Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx 9 IoCs
pid Process 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE 4448 EXCEL.EXE -
Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory 20 IoCs
description pid Process procid_target PID 3012 wrote to memory of 3596 3012 PepperX.exe 84 PID 3012 wrote to memory of 3596 3012 PepperX.exe 84 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 624 3596 svchost.exe 88 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 624 3596 svchost.exe 88 PID 624 wrote to memory of 1776 624 cmd.exe 90 PID 624 wrote to memory of 1776 624 cmd.exe 90 PID 624 wrote to memory of 3100 624 cmd.exe 93 PID 624 wrote to memory of 3100 624 cmd.exe 93 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 2244 3596 svchost.exe 94 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 2244 3596 svchost.exe 94 PID 2244 wrote to memory of 4788 2244 cmd.exe 96 PID 2244 wrote to memory of 4788 2244 cmd.exe 96 PID 2244 wrote to memory of 2668 2244 cmd.exe 97 PID 2244 wrote to memory of 2668 2244 cmd.exe 97 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 5060 3596 svchost.exe 98 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 5060 3596 svchost.exe 98 PID 5060 wrote to memory of 3304 5060 cmd.exe 100 PID 5060 wrote to memory of 3304 5060 cmd.exe 100 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 4236 3596 svchost.exe 107 PID 3596 wrote to memory of 4236 3596 svchost.exe 107 -
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.
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Uses Volume Shadow Copy service COM API
The Volume Shadow Copy service is used to manage backups/snapshots.
Processes
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C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\PepperX.exe"C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\PepperX.exe"1⤵
- Checks computer location settings
- Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:3012 -
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\svchost.exe"C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\svchost.exe"2⤵
- Checks computer location settings
- Drops startup file
- Executes dropped EXE
- Drops desktop.ini file(s)
- Sets desktop wallpaper using registry
- Modifies registry class
- Suspicious behavior: AddClipboardFormatListener
- Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:3596 -
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /C vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet & wmic shadowcopy delete3⤵
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:624 -
C:\Windows\system32\vssadmin.exevssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet4⤵
- Interacts with shadow copies
PID:1776
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C:\Windows\System32\Wbem\WMIC.exewmic shadowcopy delete4⤵
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
PID:3100
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C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /C bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures & bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no3⤵
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:2244 -
C:\Windows\system32\bcdedit.exebcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures4⤵
- Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit
PID:4788
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C:\Windows\system32\bcdedit.exebcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no4⤵
- Modifies boot configuration data using bcdedit
PID:2668
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C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe"C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" /C wbadmin delete catalog -quiet3⤵
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:5060 -
C:\Windows\system32\wbadmin.exewbadmin delete catalog -quiet4⤵
- Deletes backup catalog
PID:3304
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C:\Windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE"C:\Windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE" C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Roaming\read_it.txt3⤵
- Opens file in notepad (likely ransom note)
- Suspicious use of FindShellTrayWindow
PID:4236
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C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exeC:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe1⤵
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
PID:4740
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C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe"C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe"1⤵
- Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
PID:4340
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C:\Windows\System32\vdsldr.exeC:\Windows\System32\vdsldr.exe -Embedding1⤵PID:3064
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C:\Windows\System32\vds.exeC:\Windows\System32\vds.exe1⤵
- Checks SCSI registry key(s)
PID:324
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C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE" "C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\MeasureClose.xlsm"1⤵
- Checks processor information in registry
- Enumerates system info in registry
- Suspicious behavior: AddClipboardFormatListener
- Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
PID:4448
Network
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v15
Defense Evasion
Direct Volume Access
1Indicator Removal
3File Deletion
3Modify Registry
1Credential Access
Credentials from Password Stores
1Credentials from Web Browsers
1Unsecured Credentials
1Credentials In Files
1Replay Monitor
Loading Replay Monitor...
Downloads
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Filesize
81KB
MD5b950502f66e5c9b058f340ab24b3b5ab
SHA1fad3abdf88ef351b25ef339a6d1a082d8516b9e9
SHA256d45f6608d6afc48189e0ef63e489f9034cd3e864a95d634640df53ad302b42b3
SHA512132235bf2ad67b8b22428e716a27d35b024c38ca09e770237688b4d4e88eb4f44a98b267c068f422aa75a6050bfff3db6073bc71619b5bb85fb76ddf9833a5f9
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Filesize
778B
MD5e476ae4628a4272384255b6003b1b5b3
SHA17bd05141ec08774a5c0ae500e0a5d9806be681f4
SHA256c5f2d8ef689c1af8b9d9f9908beb8e9e16abe5338bc569f4998d6f5e45b95d0f
SHA512a9ac31705fb99985f1b241c5d06447c6870dd5f203bfc43056c7d2c92e6f0af9711395e42707253ec98730f1e765966359ec061f1deee6529df69fe4354a5d8e