Trellix Insights: Analyzing Operation Ghostsecret: Attack seeks to steal data worldwide
Technical Articles ID:
KB93033
Last Modified: 2022-08-19 12:34:59 Etc/GMT
Last Modified: 2022-08-19 12:34:59 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
Our Advanced Threat Research analysts have uncovered a global data reconnaissance campaign that assaults a wide number of industries including critical infrastructure, entertainment, finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. This campaign, dubbedOperation GhostSecret , uses multiple implants, tools, and malware variants associated with the state-sponsored cyber group Hidden Cobra . The infrastructure currently remains active.
Our investigation into this campaign reveals that the actor used multiple malware implants, including an unknown implant with capabilities similar toBankshot . From March 18–26, we observed the malware operating in multiple areas of the world. This new variant resembles parts of the Destover malware, which was used in the 2014 Sony Pictures attack.
Furthermore, the Advanced Threat Research team has discoveredProxysvc , which appears to be an undocumented implant. We have also uncovered other control servers that are still active and associated with these new implants. Based on our analysis of public and private information from submissions, plus product telemetry, it appears Proxysvc was used with the 2017 Destover variant and has operated undetected since mid-2017.
The attackers behindOperation GhostSecret used a similar infrastructure to earlier threats, including SSL certificates used by FakeTLS . These certificates were used in implants found in the Destover backdoor variant known as Escad , which was used in the Sony Pictures attack. Based on our technical analysis, telemetry, and data from submissions, we can assert with high confidence that this campaign is the work of the Hidden Cobra group. The Advanced Threat Research team uncovered activity related to this campaign in March 2018, when the actors targeted Turkish banks. These initial findings appear to be the first stage of Operation GhostSecret .
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: 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: 4 Use GTI file reputation to identify trusted or malicious files
Endpoint Security - Access Protection Rules:
Creating new executable files in the Windows folder
Virusscan Enterprise - Access Protection Rules:Prevent programs registering as a service
Prevent creation of new executable files in the Windows folder
Endpoint Security - Access Protection Custom Rules:Rule: 1
Executables (Include):
netsh.exe
Subrules:
Subrule Type: Files
Operations:
Write
Targets (Include):
?:\windows\system32\config\txr\*.blf
?:\windows\system32\config\txr\*.regtrans-ms
Rule: 2
Executables (Include):svchost.exe
Subrules:
Subrule Type: Files
Operations: Read
Targets (Include):?:\windows\temp\*.tmp
VirusScan Enterprise - Access Protection Custom Rules:
Rule: 1
Rule Type: File
Process to include: netsh.exe
File or folder name to block:*\windows\system32\config\txr\*.blf
File actions to prevent: Write
Rule: 2
Rule Type: File
Process to include:svchost.exe
File or folder name to block:*\windows\temp\*.tmp
File actions to prevent: Create
Rule: 3
Rule Type: File
Process to include:netsh.exe
File or folder name to block:*\windows\system32\config\txr\*.regtrans-ms
File actions to prevent: Write
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:Modifying the Services registry location
Host Intrusion Prevention: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: 6011 Generic Application Invocation Protection
Our Advanced Threat Research analysts have uncovered a global data reconnaissance campaign that assaults a wide number of industries including critical infrastructure, entertainment, finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. This campaign, dubbed
Our investigation into this campaign reveals that the actor used multiple malware implants, including an unknown implant with capabilities similar to
Furthermore, the Advanced Threat Research team has discovered
The attackers behind
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 |
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:
Endpoint Security - Access Protection Rules:
Creating new executable files in the Windows folder
Virusscan Enterprise - Access Protection Rules:
Prevent creation of new executable files in the Windows folder
Endpoint Security - Access Protection Custom Rules:
Executables (Include):
Subrules:
Subrule Type: Files
Operations:
Write
Targets (Include):
?:\windows\system32\config\txr\*.regtrans-ms
Rule: 2
Executables (Include):
Subrules:
Subrule Type: Files
Operations: Read
Targets (Include):
Rule Type: File
Process to include:
File or folder name to block:
File actions to prevent: Write
Rule: 2
Rule Type: File
Process to include:
File or folder name to block:
File actions to prevent: Create
Rule: 3
Rule Type: File
Process to include:
File or folder name to block:
File actions to prevent: Write
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:
Host Intrusion Prevention:
Rule ID: 6010 Generic Application Hooking Protection
Rule ID: 1148 CMD Tool Access by a Network Aware Application
Rule ID: 6011 Generic Application Invocation Protection
