Trellix Insights: Mustang Panda PlugX part 2
Technical Articles ID:
KB92510
Last Modified: 2022-08-16 12:55:02 Etc/GMT
Last Modified: 2022-08-16 12:55:02 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
Description of Campaign
The Mustang Panda threat group targeted a range of sectors located in multiple countries with a focus on Hong Kong. The group dropped the PlugX remote access trojan to exfiltrate a range of information including system data and local and network information. The group used several techniques for defense evasion and persistence. These techniques included scripting, hidden files and directories, obfuscation, and DLL hijacking.
How to use this article:
Campaign IOC
Minimum Content Versions:
Detection Summary
Minimum set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: When you implement new rules or signatures, always first set them to Report mode before setting them to Block.
Mitigate against triggering false positives when enabling new rules and signatures by always following best practices.
For best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules, see KB87843 - Dynamic Application Containment rules and best practices.
Endpoint Security - Advanced Threat Protection:Rule ID: 2 Use Enterprise file reputation to identify trusted or malicious files
Rule ID: 4 Use GTI file reputation to identify trusted or malicious files
Aggressive set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: When you implement new rules or signatures, always first set them to Report mode before setting them to Block.
Mitigate against triggering false positives when enabling new rules and signatures by always following best practices.
For best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules, see KB87843 - Dynamic Application Containment rules and best practices.
Host Intrusion Prevention:Rule ID: 6010 Generic Application Hooking Protection
The Mustang Panda threat group targeted a range of sectors located in multiple countries with a focus on Hong Kong. The group dropped the PlugX remote access trojan to exfiltrate a range of information including system data and local and network information. The group used several techniques for defense evasion and persistence. These techniques included scripting, hidden files and directories, obfuscation, and DLL hijacking.
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 |
Minimum Content Versions:
Content Type | Version |
Detection Summary
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
IOC | Scanner | Detection |
Minimum set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: When you implement new rules or signatures, always first set them to Report mode before setting them to Block.
Mitigate against triggering false positives when enabling new rules and signatures by always following best practices.
For best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules, see KB87843 - Dynamic Application Containment rules and best practices.
Endpoint Security - Advanced Threat Protection:
Rule ID: 4 Use GTI file reputation to identify trusted or malicious files
Aggressive set of Manual Rules to improve protection to block this campaign
IMPORTANT: When you implement new rules or signatures, always first set them to Report mode before setting them to Block.
Mitigate against triggering false positives when enabling new rules and signatures by always following best practices.
For best practices for Endpoint Security Dynamic Application Containment rules, see KB87843 - Dynamic Application Containment rules and best practices.
Host Intrusion Prevention: