ardamax | 8f7869ea37512378dd1d4265493d52f20371df7c9d91928a094d7940ce2c98b7

Analysis

max time kernel
94s
max time network
149s
platform
windows10-2004_x64
resource
win10v2004-20241007-en
resource tags

arch:x64arch:x86image:win10v2004-20241007-enlocale:en-usos:windows10-2004-x64system
submitted
24-01-2025 01:12

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General

Target

JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe
Size

562KB
MD5

1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411
SHA1

19b389b8d4b472df246428ac9369735a59df4488
SHA256

8f7869ea37512378dd1d4265493d52f20371df7c9d91928a094d7940ce2c98b7
SHA512

f24a7970a72e1db15aeafeaf9b9761f5e5a3241204f661f760d1355abf5b3812dece0c1784adf05e818af96a06b449e5f1bfb23869b4faf326ac861a80c0d006
SSDEEP

12288:/Muo3R2vkRQ5ugjoL7/q2mVINMAPk5vxDyArhtnh0BT9HnOGbnKs7wezZ56y:/lo3R2vkG5zq7lNfwd9F5OTRnl+s7hzR

Score

10^/10

ardamax defense_evasion discovery keylogger persistence stealer

Malware Config

Signatures

Ardamax
A keylogger first seen in 2013.
keylogger stealer ardamax
Ardamax family
ardamax

Ardamax main executable 1 IoCs

resource	yara_rule
behavioral2/files/0x0008000000023bba-36.dat	family_ardamax

Checks computer location settings 2 TTPs 4 IoCs

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

Query Registry

T1012

System Information Discovery

T1082

description	ioc	Process
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-493223053-2004649691-1575712786-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-493223053-2004649691-1575712786-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	Install.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-493223053-2004649691-1575712786-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	Exporer32.exe
Key value queried	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-493223053-2004649691-1575712786-1000\Control Panel\International\Geo\Nation	IXCT.exe

Executes dropped EXE 3 IoCs

pid	Process
4800	Install.exe
1728	Exporer32.exe
2272	IXCT.exe

Loads dropped DLL 6 IoCs

pid	Process
1728	Exporer32.exe
2272	IXCT.exe
4180	NOTEPAD.EXE
2272	IXCT.exe
2272	IXCT.exe
4944	WerFault.exe

Adds Run key to start application 2 TTPs 1 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\IXCT Agent = "C:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\28463\\IXCT.exe"	IXCT.exe

Checks installed software on the system 1 TTPs
Looks up Uninstall key entries in the registry to enumerate software on the system.
discovery

Query Registry
T1012
Indicator Removal: File Deletion 1 TTPs
Adversaries may delete files left behind by the actions of their intrusion activity.
defense_evasion

File Deletion
T1070.004

Drops file in System32 directory 6 IoCs

description	ioc	Process
File created	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.001	Exporer32.exe
File created	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.006	Exporer32.exe
File created	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.007	Exporer32.exe
File created	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.exe	Exporer32.exe
File created	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\AKV.exe	Exporer32.exe
File opened for modification	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463	IXCT.exe

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

System Information Discovery
T1082

Program crash 1 IoCs

pid	pid_target	Process	procid_target
4944	2272	WerFault.exe	86

System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery 1 TTPs 6 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	cmd.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	NOTEPAD.EXE
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	Install.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	Exporer32.exe
Key opened	\REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\NLS\Language	IXCT.exe

Modifies registry class 1 IoCs

description	ioc	Process
Key created	\REGISTRY\USER\S-1-5-21-493223053-2004649691-1575712786-1000_Classes\Local Settings	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe

Opens file in notepad (likely ransom note) 1 IoCs

ransomware

pid	Process
4180	NOTEPAD.EXE

Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses 64 IoCs

pid	Process
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe
4800	Install.exe

Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken 3 IoCs

description	pid	Process
Token: 33	2272	IXCT.exe
Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege	2272	IXCT.exe
Token: SeIncBasePriorityPrivilege	2272	IXCT.exe

Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx 8 IoCs

pid	Process
804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe
804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe
4800	Install.exe
2272	IXCT.exe
2272	IXCT.exe
2272	IXCT.exe
2272	IXCT.exe
2272	IXCT.exe

Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory 15 IoCs

description	pid	Process	procid_target
PID 804 wrote to memory of 4180	804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe	83
PID 804 wrote to memory of 4180	804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe	83
PID 804 wrote to memory of 4180	804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe	83
PID 804 wrote to memory of 4800	804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe	84
PID 804 wrote to memory of 4800	804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe	84
PID 804 wrote to memory of 4800	804	JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe	84
PID 4800 wrote to memory of 1728	4800	Install.exe	85
PID 4800 wrote to memory of 1728	4800	Install.exe	85
PID 4800 wrote to memory of 1728	4800	Install.exe	85
PID 1728 wrote to memory of 2272	1728	Exporer32.exe	86
PID 1728 wrote to memory of 2272	1728	Exporer32.exe	86
PID 1728 wrote to memory of 2272	1728	Exporer32.exe	86
PID 2272 wrote to memory of 4660	2272	IXCT.exe	106
PID 2272 wrote to memory of 4660	2272	IXCT.exe	106
PID 2272 wrote to memory of 4660	2272	IXCT.exe	106

C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe
"C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\JaffaCakes118_1ca3413a3b28eac2c1a072e60f74b411.exe"
1⤵
- Checks computer location settings
- System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
- Modifies registry class
- Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
- Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
PID:804
- C:\Windows\SysWOW64\NOTEPAD.EXE
  "C:\Windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE" C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\tempalbert\asdfs.txt
  2⤵
  - Loads dropped DLL
  - System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
  - Opens file in notepad (likely ransom note)
  PID:4180
- C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\tempalbert\Install.exe
  "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\tempalbert\Install.exe"
  2⤵
  - Checks computer location settings
  - Executes dropped EXE
  - System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
  - Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
  - Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
  - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
  PID:4800
- - C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\Exporer32.exe
    "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\Exporer32.exe"
    3⤵
    - Checks computer location settings
    - Executes dropped EXE
    - Loads dropped DLL
    - Drops file in System32 directory
    - System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
    - Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
    PID:1728
  - - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.exe
      "C:\Windows\system32\28463\IXCT.exe"
      4⤵
      Checks computer location settings
      Executes dropped EXE
      Loads dropped DLL
      Adds Run key to start application
      Drops file in System32 directory
      System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
      Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
      Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
      Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
      PID:2272
    - - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WerFault.exe
        
        C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WerFault.exe -u -p 2272 -s 1068
        5⤵
        Loads dropped DLL
        Program crash
        
        PID:4944
    - - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe
        
        "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe" /c del C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.exe > nul
        5⤵
        System Location Discovery: System Language Discovery
        
        PID:4660

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WerFault.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WerFault.exe -pss -s 408 -p 2272 -ip 2272
1⤵
PID:4372

Network

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v15

Reconnaissance

Resource Development

Initial Access

Execution

Persistence

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1547

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Privilege Escalation

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution

T1547

Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

T1547.001

Defense Evasion

Indicator Removal

T1070

File Deletion

T1070.004

Modify Registry

T1112

Credential Access

Discovery

Query Registry

T1012

System Information Discovery

T1082

System Location Discovery

T1614

System Language Discovery

T1614.001

Lateral Movement

Collection

Command and Control

Exfiltration

Impact

Replay Monitor

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Downloads

C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\@7985.tmp

Filesize
4KB

MD5
25530555085337eb644b061f239aa9d4

SHA1
8d91e099aba5439d4bfa8bce464c94e3e1acf620

SHA256
3fb6b438ad1530abdd068bffb303fb8a4de51430e0e18ddb6b1a0469ffab8325

SHA512
b1f9de0c276533a5a7070aeb2b6415cc1c0bdd2baf5e0645c6ac5ba767cab0d76e5b4461800d89724992af2c863294ada3c1eb2e4516183fe2010c33d47d6a2a

Download Submit
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\Exporer32.exe

Filesize
480KB

MD5
f880fcfce29c441092fef245df6c8991

SHA1
2f9c81b73dd8e2819215aee1dda3b49f2030c5bc

SHA256
66b8ac5099de5b87aa422271cffdefb5ed5521afba85573afb15c69f9cbb6960

SHA512
2eeee865f0dc94666da9ff4c8c1aa65f8d6ce248759589a6b2ce965361b71b96b866a5bf7cd3668faa97b84267083f5a3fe945d0d8de4e6d7fe60c73cdbf9a0e

Download Submit
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\tempalbert\Install.exe

Filesize
564KB

MD5
83963197833d3fd2828f7d653ee45ad6

SHA1
1a2eafeaadd0a95796b0af3a5ac43e085085dc82

SHA256
715763e2ae90cade0d8c9be759e681c2b61dcf08dc8498906d4093020c34c15f

SHA512
9e2ee9f1ec0a55c143a21de9f0bbe0895fbcffae5972ab43d2b29514cd88794a16a57789b1d0f2e2ffe08a4f3ca720ad1afd060bfde4aeb2f931c52654608a2a

Download Submit
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\tempalbert\asdfs.txt

Filesize
905B

MD5
40881aef253c52fe67fa9afe11979a67

SHA1
df426c9882b624c6857739ceebd7639b20dcb663

SHA256
665a9f9711c5c519af7eddfe1885cb9975f3e5814502574bde7eb12b64ae7817

SHA512
10ee681b4fbf7f40bc3606dd9412525f8434e50e130c8eb0fb02d3c5f7e9172087fb47e6261f29b8d46cbd57be37f15e0b30f8b14c88ef980a794ce0e3cd9c94

Download Submit
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\AKV.exe

Filesize
395KB

MD5
d63cc8679a63448db1c64252e14e4ab5

SHA1
10b3a9ac4bc16e8ac1cd05e50b4d540fa3ef223e

SHA256
29b3646a556879a4a48e4f2f81e09179c34ac2051ed3e4f4c28e293092470d3d

SHA512
cb1911e1a77fb9be560aa4fd8bbef65e181b6d4438d65657501dbcd8dbf488ba01738a7222f35f8d4317e8df8c6f307d9e3623d6e3e45753e138b80fb68ff768

Download Submit
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.001

Filesize
404B

MD5
cf06630ea8d64c650866db8a21128ec4

SHA1
37ceb72895eedd55acb0bfc381e63085e4000498

SHA256
0e9c671d27249cf99481f77fb4ae9ab4aea42ad75070ae2eb8cf6467faaeafe1

SHA512
1f5cc28e43e6892b0aeae4f214126872a630cafa888bebe1480a1561f27b4878a1da0e6f5205541681a531f809c09bf442c360eb60bb5fd96391736b305d80ac

Download Submit
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.006

Filesize
8KB

MD5
81e20f4361cf8f5a57812871c24d945e

SHA1
5d7877d6959ab26599b05795a71633f00c37a3da

SHA256
e6e8b4a29dccb3531f58c75b754caf7f26afe3e7043239305fd0ae7ab2f7571d

SHA512
69b1d75ab7123054bf98cf3a0f2cc7a0749cda8d85ebdef85be7d89f1454154ce29070907b934727a6c5276ff430e94810b87a5634d25d8529df9ee36fd20818

Download Submit
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.007

Filesize
5KB

MD5
e9fbdcc2f5fb657fa519b3f5c69fc52d

SHA1
c49cca77b46a59d620711de7564d43e5dafcd2b5

SHA256
cc440cfc4ce1a1ff503cc9e8937c59aae64bfce4daa3e7dc757220a25cadc2e4

SHA512
913759967e16b99d8ea66433e5dc99d5ddbf737be6784306e67c2b23a525b7a578fcae1028221d3209abc452ff30508eb750c62113c3868a7af36b544e525fb1

Download Submit
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\28463\IXCT.exe

Filesize
473KB

MD5
97d8ad45f48b4b28a93aab94699b7168

SHA1
8b69b7fd7c008b95d12386f6da415097e72151de

SHA256
661df22a66b2062b233eb0bd9665de924cfe0ac9c6ba29e20ffef24f817f9331

SHA512
3351eac970bab391de410fcf1937da75d2e4722b808f10332f487ddfe469544e32e7d4ed0e5bdc19bd5f472cffcc55ca1498c95945b4e9c4ceff6ff5cc521c8a

Download Submit