Application Window Discovery
Adversaries may attempt to get a listing of open application windows. Window listings could convey information about how the system is used.(Citation: Prevailion DarkWatchman 2021) For example, information about application windows could be used identify potential data to collect as well as identifying security tooling (Security Software Discovery) to evade.(Citation: ESET Grandoreiro April 2020) Adversaries typically abuse system features for this type of enumeration. For example, they may gather information through native system features such as Command and Scripting Interpreter commands and Native API functions.
Procedure Examples |
|
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Attor |
Attor can obtain application window titles and then determines which windows to perform Screen Capture on.(Citation: ESET Attor Oct 2019) |
| NetTraveler |
NetTraveler reports window names along with keylogger information to provide application context.(Citation: Kaspersky NetTraveler) |
| Cadelspy |
Cadelspy has the ability to identify open windows on the compromised host.(Citation: Symantec Chafer Dec 2015) |
| Flagpro |
Flagpro can check the name of the window displayed on the system.(Citation: NTT Security Flagpro new December 2021) |
| njRAT |
njRAT gathers information about opened windows during the initial infection.(Citation: Fidelis njRAT June 2013) |
| Lazarus Group |
Lazarus Group malware IndiaIndia obtains and sends to its C2 server the title of the window for each running process. The KilaAlfa keylogger also reports the title of the window in the foreground.(Citation: Novetta Blockbuster)(Citation: Novetta Blockbuster Loaders)(Citation: Novetta Blockbuster Tools) |
| Trojan.Karagany |
Trojan.Karagany can monitor the titles of open windows to identify specific keywords.(Citation: Secureworks Karagany July 2019) |
| DarkGate |
DarkGate will search for cryptocurrency wallets by examining application window names for specific strings.(Citation: Ensilo Darkgate 2018) DarkGate extracts information collected via NirSoft tools from the hosting process's memory by first identifying the window through the |
| DarkWatchman |
DarkWatchman reports window names along with keylogger information to provide application context.(Citation: Prevailion DarkWatchman 2021) |
| PowerDuke |
PowerDuke has a command to get text of the current foreground window.(Citation: Volexity PowerDuke November 2016) |
| InvisiMole |
InvisiMole can enumerate windows and child windows on a compromised host.(Citation: ESET InvisiMole June 2018)(Citation: ESET InvisiMole June 2020) |
| Aria-body |
Aria-body has the ability to identify the titles of running windows on a compromised host.(Citation: CheckPoint Naikon May 2020) |
| Grandoreiro |
Grandoreiro can identify installed security tools based on window names.(Citation: ESET Grandoreiro April 2020) |
| WINERACK |
WINERACK can enumerate active windows.(Citation: FireEye APT37 Feb 2018) |
| Machete |
Machete saves the window names.(Citation: ESET Machete July 2019) |
| NightClub |
NightClub can use `GetForegroundWindow` to enumerate the active window.(Citation: MoustachedBouncer ESET August 2023) |
| NETWIRE |
NETWIRE can discover and close windows on controlled systems.(Citation: Red Canary NETWIRE January 2020) |
| Kazuar |
Kazuar gathers information about opened windows.(Citation: Unit 42 Kazuar May 2017) |
| Remexi |
Remexi has a command to capture active windows on the machine and retrieve window titles.(Citation: Securelist Remexi Jan 2019) |
| DUSTTRAP |
DUSTTRAP can enumerate running application windows.(Citation: Google Cloud APT41 2024) |
| SOUNDBITE |
SOUNDBITE is capable of enumerating application windows.(Citation: FireEye APT32 May 2017) |
| Duqu |
The discovery modules used with Duqu can collect information on open windows.(Citation: Symantec W32.Duqu) |
| Volt Typhoon |
Volt Typhoon has collected window title information from compromised systems.(Citation: CISA AA24-038A PRC Critical Infrastructure February 2024) |
| HotCroissant |
HotCroissant has the ability to list the names of all open windows on the infected host.(Citation: Carbon Black HotCroissant April 2020) |
| Metamorfo |
Metamorfo can enumerate all windows on the victim’s machine.(Citation: FireEye Metamorfo Apr 2018)(Citation: Fortinet Metamorfo Feb 2020) |
| ROKRAT |
ROKRAT can use the `GetForegroundWindow` and `GetWindowText` APIs to discover where the user is typing.(Citation: Talos ROKRAT) |
| SILENTTRINITY |
SILENTTRINITY can enumerate the active Window during keylogging through execution of `GetActiveWindowTitle`.(Citation: GitHub SILENTTRINITY Modules July 2019) |
| Catchamas |
Catchamas obtains application windows titles and then determines which windows to perform Screen Capture on.(Citation: Symantec Catchamas April 2018) |
| QakBot |
QakBot has the ability to enumerate windows on a compromised host.(Citation: ATT QakBot April 2021) |
| HEXANE |
HEXANE has used a PowerShell-based keylogging tool to capture the window title.(Citation: SecureWorks August 2019) |
| PLEAD |
PLEAD has the ability to list open windows on the compromised host.(Citation: TrendMicro BlackTech June 2017)(Citation: TrendMicro BlackTech June 2017) |
| PoisonIvy |
PoisonIvy captures window titles.(Citation: Symantec Darkmoon Aug 2005) |
| FunnyDream |
FunnyDream has the ability to discover application windows via execution of `EnumWindows`.(Citation: Bitdefender FunnyDream Campaign November 2020) |
Mitigations |
|
| Mitigation | Description |
|---|---|
| Application Window Discovery Mitigation |
Identify unnecessary system utilities or potentially malicious software that may be used to acquire information, and audit and/or block them by using whitelisting (Citation: Beechey 2010) tools, like AppLocker, (Citation: Windows Commands JPCERT) (Citation: NSA MS AppLocker) or Software Restriction Policies (Citation: Corio 2008) where appropriate. (Citation: TechNet Applocker vs SRP) |
Detection
System and network discovery techniques normally occur throughout an operation as an adversary learns the environment. Data and events should not be viewed in isolation, but as part of a chain of behavior that could lead to other activities based on the information obtained. Monitor processes and command-line arguments for actions that could be taken to gather system and network information. Remote access tools with built-in features may interact directly with the Windows API to gather information. Information may also be acquired through Windows system management tools such as Windows Management Instrumentation and PowerShell.
References
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- ESET. (2020, April 28). Grandoreiro: How engorged can an EXE get?. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
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- Fidelis Cybersecurity. (2013, June 28). Fidelis Threat Advisory #1009: "njRAT" Uncovered. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
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- Secureworks. (2019, July 24). Updated Karagany Malware Targets Energy Sector. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- Adi Zeligson & Rotem Kerner. (2018, November 13). Enter The DarkGate - New Cryptocurrency Mining and Ransomware Campaign. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- Adair, S.. (2016, November 9). PowerDuke: Widespread Post-Election Spear Phishing Campaigns Targeting Think Tanks and NGOs. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
- Hromcova, Z. and Cherpanov, A. (2020, June). INVISIMOLE: THE HIDDEN PART OF THE STORY. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
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- Levene, B, et al. (2017, May 03). Kazuar: Multiplatform Espionage Backdoor with API Access. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- Legezo, D. (2019, January 30). Chafer used Remexi malware to spy on Iran-based foreign diplomatic entities. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
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- Symantec Security Response. (2011, November). W32.Duqu: The precursor to the next Stuxnet. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- CISA et al.. (2024, February 7). PRC State-Sponsored Actors Compromise and Maintain Persistent Access to U.S. Critical Infrastructure. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
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- Zhang, X. (2020, February 4). Another Metamorfo Variant Targeting Customers of Financial Institutions in More Countries. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
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- Mercer, W., Rascagneres, P. (2017, April 03). Introducing ROKRAT. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
- Salvati, M. (2019, August 6). SILENTTRINITY Modules. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- Balanza, M. (2018, April 02). Infostealer.Catchamas. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- Morrow, D. (2021, April 15). The rise of QakBot. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
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Связанные риски
Каталоги
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