Description of Campaign
The Mustang Panda threat group targeted a range of sectors located in multiple countries. The group used malicious documents to drop the PlugX remote access trojan and the Cobalt Strike pen-testing tool. The initial infection vector consisted of a zip archive with a Windows shortcut containing an embedded HTA file. After executed by the victim, the VBScript or PowerShell script enclosed would drop the decoy document and run the malicious payload in the background. The campaign used several techniques. The techniques include PowerShell, MSHTA, WMI, scheduled tasks, and obfuscation for execution, persistence, and defense evasion.
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
Type |
Value |
Domain |
adobephotostage.com |
Domain |
olk4.com |
Domain |
airdndvn.com |
Domain |
officeproduces.com |
Domain |
geocities.jp |
Domain |
apple-net.com |
Domain |
wbemsystem.com |
Domain |
yahoorealtors.com |
Host name |
web.adobephotostage.com |
Host name |
web.officeproduces.com |
Host name |
up.officeproduces.com |
Host name |
we.officeproduces.com |
Host name |
download.officeproduces.com |
Host name |
update.olk4.com |
Host name |
www.cab-sec.com |
IP |
50.63.202.94 |
IP |
50.63.202.67 |
IP |
50.63.202.82 |
IP |
184.168.221.94 |
IP |
184.168.221.82 |
IP |
184.168.221.71 |
IP |
50.63.202.73 |
IP |
207.148.12.47 |
IP |
149.28.74.41 |
IP |
207.148.78.101 |
IP |
149.28.74.149 |
IP |
50.63.202.59 |
IP |
198.54.117.200 |
IP |
198.54.117.199 |
IP |
198.54.117.197 |
IP |
45.32.50.150 |
IP |
167.88.180.15 |
IP |
43.254.217.67 |
IP |
154.221.24.47 |
IP |
144.202.54.86 |
IP |
198.54.117.198 |
IP |
162.255.119.150 |
IP |
167.88.180.148 |
IP |
167.88.177.224 |
IP |
167.88.180.3 |
IP |
45.248.87.14 |
IP |
91.195.240.117 |
IP |
103.224.182.250 |
IP |
167.88.178.24 |
IP |
185.239.226.19 |
IP |
45.77.209.52 |
IP |
167.88.178.118 |
IP |
185.239.226.61 |
IP |
45.77.184.12 |
URL |
http://144.202.54.86/vkt2 |
URL |
http://144.202.54.86/download/Mau2.hta |
URL |
http://144.202.54.86/download/Mau%20cam%20ket%20danh%20cho%20Chua%20Dang%20vien.docx |
URL |
http://airdndvn.com/6CDC9F833C87FB661DBB9339 |
URL |
http://www.wbemsystem.com/B2FC407BB86E8219/397A4853 |
URL |
web.officeproduces.com:8000/update?wd=1b1fe9aa |
URL |
154.221.24.47/HaQ3 |
SHA256 |
62DF273B977BC779860D0AD903F1C14EA8CB82CE79DDF15A194E4C300BBE0B29 |
SHA256 |
C12319DA450433229043B016AB9842A84D69CA0BA839BB72B0CB94C5F45179EC |
SHA256 |
768CCFCE5E2788DCAE2B0AC0F01143CF13D65D74CEB03345924B8AC73A7FA1D9 |
SHA256 |
BC2F69B138FD76AD52C63C0CE623B3C6800995EEA849B3F5BCF3A9D76143106E |
SHA256 |
F80430864E7AC22B01CD8042215028E9E9A08CB053B59068A406971EB7D40860 |
SHA256 |
10A0613FBC0B4AD0CC8ED2E4CA32386A489EE7A48B5AB5FAA03C66B53B3ED1BD |
SHA256 |
CE1848033AA82F408201695F718FD82B8A1DD0D588332BC003C7ABB6CE2664A2 |
SHA256 |
FB3E3D9671BB733FCECD6900DEF15B9A6B4F36B0A35BDC769B0A69BC5FB7E40D |
SHA256 |
B032FE5C0D44BC3376C980A089B38C90EDB9AB65F98EFBEE3B2A01E7B3FBAE31 |
SHA256 |
437416D9EF87DA4F72B381C8306CA6D296DFDBD2CF83F4E85737F1F2B3F2E994 |
SHA256 |
161787D08F75ADF61C58DCFDCE34EAAF741626B3A9579EC14756FF7F658E3B51 |
SHA256 |
D89A88EDFB0108141E149DB338044387AF498E4B37D0B58C23B2365FF3BA557A |
SHA256 |
988B01FE70E7C74B046C58207B5E1204BCDEE34A035E73FBEB87202E925E92A7 |
SHA256 |
E85EE3153D5CBD4FF8002A1053A820AA2E25DB32AD24D4E8F3E12A3D4DE5B3EB |
SHA256 |
1CB8C0F87DCA3906B6351EEFB2A9A639F508D818B3F87CA14873101E95BD6D6B |
SHA256 |
1FC051343ABFDB71DA895783B4F42CA1A3F16EF026A5C3BE2820D0194BEE40B0 |
Minimum Content Versions:
Content Type |
Version |
V2 DAT (VirusScan Enterprise) |
9480 |
V3 DAT (Endpoint Security) |
3931 |
Detection Summary
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
62DF273B977BC779860D0AD903F1C14EA8CB82CE79DDF15A194E4C300BBE0B29 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
|
|
|
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
C12319DA450433229043B016AB9842A84D69CA0BA839BB72B0CB94C5F45179EC |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.at |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.at |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
768CCFCE5E2788DCAE2B0AC0F01143CF13D65D74CEB03345924B8AC73A7FA1D9 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
BC2F69B138FD76AD52C63C0CE623B3C6800995EEA849B3F5BCF3A9D76143106E |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
F80430864E7AC22B01CD8042215028E9E9A08CB053B59068A406971EB7D40860 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
10A0613FBC0B4AD0CC8ED2E4CA32386A489EE7A48B5AB5FAA03C66B53B3ED1BD |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
CE1848033AA82F408201695F718FD82B8A1DD0D588332BC003C7ABB6CE2664A2 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
FB3E3D9671BB733FCECD6900DEF15B9A6B4F36B0A35BDC769B0A69BC5FB7E40D |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
B032FE5C0D44BC3376C980A089B38C90EDB9AB65F98EFBEE3B2A01E7B3FBAE31 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.at |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.at |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
437416D9EF87DA4F72B381C8306CA6D296DFDBD2CF83F4E85737F1F2B3F2E994 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
161787D08F75ADF61C58DCFDCE34EAAF741626B3A9579EC14756FF7F658E3B51 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.az |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.az |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
D89A88EDFB0108141E149DB338044387AF498E4B37D0B58C23B2365FF3BA557A |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ah |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
988B01FE70E7C74B046C58207B5E1204BCDEE34A035E73FBEB87202E925E92A7 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
E85EE3153D5CBD4FF8002A1053A820AA2E25DB32AD24D4E8F3E12A3D4DE5B3EB |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
1CB8C0F87DCA3906B6351EEFB2A9A639F508D818B3F87CA14873101E95BD6D6B |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
IOC |
Scanner |
Detection |
1FC051343ABFDB71DA895783B4F42CA1A3F16EF026A5C3BE2820D0194BEE40B0 |
AVEngine V2 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
AVEngine V3 |
LNK/Downloader.ac |
JTI (ATP Rules) |
- |
RP Static |
- |
RP Dynamic |
- |
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: 2 Use Enterprise file reputation to identify trusted or malicious files
Virusscan Enterprise - Access Protection Rules:
Protect Internet Explorer favorites and settings
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.
Host Intrusion Prevention:
Rule ID: 6010 Generic Application Hooking Protection
Rule ID: 6053 Accessing other users home directory
Rule ID: 1148 CMD Tool Access by a Network Aware Application
Rule ID: 1020 Windows Agent Shielding - File Access