Trellix Insights: ApoMacroSploit and its creators
Technical Articles ID:
KB94402
Last Modified: 2022-09-06 13:46:49 Etc/GMT
Last Modified: 2022-09-06 13:46:49 Etc/GMT
Environment
IMPORTANT: This Knowledge Base article discusses a specific threat that is being automatically tracked by Trellix Insights technology. The content is intended for use by Trellix Insights users, but is provided for general knowledge to all customers. Contact us for more information about Trellix Insights.
Summary
The Office malware builder APOMacroSploit appeared in November 2020 and was involved in multiple phishing campaigns affecting more than 80 different companies. This builder produces malware that is capable of evading Windows Defender and detecting debugging environments. The creators regularly update the tool and also assist users that purchase it with further developments. This tool delivers XLS malware that makes use of macros to download and execute another piece of malware that will serve as RAT tool and allow for information theft. Researchers at Check Point Research have extensively investigated the actors' monikers and have uncovered the identity of one of the perpetrators.
Our Threat Research team gathers and analyzes information from multiple open and closed sources before disseminating intelligence reports. This campaign was researched by Check Point and shared publicly.
How to use this article:
- If a Threat Hunting table has been created, use the rules contained to search for malware related to this campaign.
- Review the product detection table and confirm that your environment is at least on the specified content version.
To download the latest content versions, go to the Security Updates page. - Scroll down and review the "Product Countermeasures" section of this article. Consider implementing them if they are not already in place.
- Review
KB91836 - Countermeasures for entry vector threats . - Review KB87843 - Dynamic Application Containment rules and best practices.
- Review KB82925 - Identify what rule corresponds to an Adaptive Threat Protection and Threat Intelligence Exchange event.
Campaign IOC
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Minimum set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: Always follow best practices when you enable new rules and signatures.
When you implement new rules or signatures, always set them to Report mode first and check the alerts generated. Resolve any issues that arise and then set the rules to Block. This step mitigates against triggering false positives and allows you to refine your configuration.
For more information, see KB87843 - List of and best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules.
Endpoint Security - Advanced Threat Protection:
Rule ID: 309 Block processes attempting to launch from office applications. Rule enabled only in high security policies
Endpoint Security - Exploit Prevention:
Rule ID: 6127 Suspicious LSASS Access from Powershell
Endpoint Security - Access Protection Custom Rules:
excel.exe
Subrules:
Subrule Type: Files
Operations:
execute
Targets (Include):
cmd.exe
Rule: 2
powershell.exe
Subrules:
Subrule Type: Files
Operations:
create
Targets (Include):
?:\users\*\documents\*.bat
Rule: 3
excel.exe
Subrules:
Subrule Type: Files
Operations:
execute
Targets (Include):
powershell.exe
VirusScan Enterprise - Access Protection Custom Rules:
Process to include: excel.exe
File or folder name to block: powershell.exe
File actions to prevent: Terminate
Rule: 2
Process to include: powershell.exe
File or folder name to block: *\users\*\documents\*.bat
File actions to prevent: Create
Rule: 3
Process to include: excel.exe
File or folder name to block: cmd.exe
File actions to prevent: Terminate
Aggressive set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: Always follow best practices when you enable new rules and signatures.
When you implement new rules or signatures, always set them to Report mode first and check the alerts generated. Resolve any issues that arise and then set the rules to Block. This step mitigates against triggering false positives and allows you to refine your configuration.
For more information, see KB87843 - List of and best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules.
Endpoint Security - Dynamic Application Containment:
Virusscan Enterprise - Access Protection Rules:
Host Intrusion Prevention:
Rule ID: 1020 Windows Agent Shielding - File Access
Rule ID: 6011 Generic Application Invocation Protection
Rule ID: 2806 Attempt to create a hardlink to a file
Rule ID: 6010 Generic Application Hooking Protection
Rule ID: 1148 CMD Tool Access by a Network Aware Application
Rule ID: 6135 Unmanaged Powershell Detected
Endpoint Security - Access Protection Rules:
Running files from common user folders
Remotely accessing local files or folders