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

Modifies system executable filetype association

Adds Run key to start application

Checks installed software on the system

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

Drops desktop.ini file(s)

Legitimate hosting services abused for malware hosting/C2

Writes to the Master Boot Record (MBR)

Bootkits write to the MBR to gain persistence at a level below the operating system.

Checks system information in the registry

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