Techniques Used

APT32 enumerated administrative users using the commands net localgroup administrators.[5]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vV88RCStP1I2d5A96y3JjUfDGkH9iASL6XG8woO0MXc/edit#heading=h.9f3a0bh8fut6

APT32 has used JavaScript that communicates over HTTP or HTTPS to attacker controlled domains to download additional frameworks. The group has also used downloaded encrypted payloads over HTTP.[2][5]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vV88RCStP1I2d5A96y3JjUfDGkH9iASL6XG8woO0MXc/edit#heading=h.9f3a0bh8fut6

APT32's backdoor has used LZMA compression and RC4 encryption before exfiltration.[6]

Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

APT32 established persistence using Registry Run keys, both to execute PowerShell and VBS scripts as well as to execute their backdoor directly.[4][5][6]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jCCG4NFQ_uNnwqI4uQp8uQ7A1acK5F0ku8LX4a6whx8/edit#heading=h.6n0037mkfgsj

APT32 has used COM scriptlets to download Cobalt Strike beacons.[5]

APT32 has used PowerShell-based tools, PowerShell one-liners, and shellcode loaders for execution.[1][4][5]

APT32 has used macros, COM scriptlets, and VBS scripts.[4][5]

APT32 has used JavaScript for drive-by downloads and C2 communications.[5]

APT32 modified Windows Services to ensure PowerShell scripts were loaded on the system. APT32 also creates a Windows service to establish persistence.[3][5][6]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jsme-JI9W6PfS3BgQ5yzFcbN9LLAj9Rk0eqNaBH9Rtc/edit

APT32 has infected victims by tricking them into visiting compromised watering hole websites.[3]

Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol: Exfiltration Over Unencrypted/Obfuscated Non-C2 Protocol

APT32's backdoor can exfiltrate data by encoding it in the subdomain field of DNS packets.[6]

APT32's backdoor has exfiltrated data using the already opened channel with its C&C server.[6]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10v4CS7UL2wnVX8LdnYhFrwRmMoPf_dfBq8WlOUS2xjM/edit?usp=sharing

APT32 has used RTF document that includes an exploit to execute malicious code. (CVE-2017-11882)[6]

APT32 has used RTF document that includes an exploit to execute malicious code. (CVE-2017-11882)[6]

APT32 has used CVE-2016-7255 to escalate privileges.[1]

APT32's backdoor possesses the capability to list files and directories on a machine. [6]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12BGcnY0H1bhGaGkEfOAIKajgyOs0Dhtmt58Ou03ywNA/edit#

File and Directory Permissions Modification: Linux and Mac File and Directory Permissions Modification

APT32's macOS backdoor changes the permission of the file it wants to execute to 755.[7]

APT32 used NTFS alternate data streams to hide their payloads.[5]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jCZY_gNJopwNpJjqNWT3yUSNErM8ZZ-TONu-21pzu_o/edit?usp=sharing

APT32's macOS backdoor hides the clientID file via a chflags function.[7]

APT32 has used the WindowStyle parameter to conceal PowerShell windows. [1] [5]

APT32 ran legitimately-signed executables from Symantec and McAfee which load a malicious DLL. The group also side-loads its backdoor by dropping a library and a legitimate, signed executable (AcroTranscoder).[4][5][6]

APT32 has used scheduled task raw XML with a backdated timestamp of June 2, 2016. The group has also set the creation time of the files dropped by the second stage of the exploit to match the creation time of kernel32.dll. Additionally, APT32 has used a random value to modify the timestamp of the file storing the clientID.[1][6][7]

APT32's macOS backdoor can receive a "delete" command.[7]

APT32 has added JavaScript to victim websites to download additional frameworks that profile and compromise website visitors.[2]

APT32 has abused the PasswordChangeNotify to monitor for and capture account password changes.[5]

APT32 has deployed tools after moving laterally using administrative accounts.[5]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wl6Ak4cvpsGXOkj2rJ_KulQe46JpNzHJt8UzgpnGytQ/edit#heading=h.9f3a0bh8fut6

APT32 has disguised a Cobalt Strike beacon as a Flash Installer.[5]

APT32 has renamed a NetCat binary to kb-10233.exe to masquerade as a Windows update. APT32 has also renamed a Cobalt Strike beacon payload to install_flashplayers.exe. [5]

APT32 has used hidden or non-printing characters to help masquerade service names, such as appending a Unicode no-break space character to a legitimate service name. APT32 has also impersonated the legitimate Flash installer file name "install_flashplayer.exe".[1]

APT32 has moved and renamed pubprn.vbs to a .txt file to avoid detection.[8]

APT32's backdoor has modified the Windows Registry to store the backdoor's configuration. [6]

APT32 performed network scanning on the network to search for open ports, services, OS finger-printing, and other vulnerabilities.[5]

APT32 used the net view command to show all shares available, including the administrative shares such as C$ and ADMIN$.[5]

An APT32 backdoor can use HTTP over a non-standard TCP port (e.g 14146) which is specified in the backdoor configuration.[6]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KGdlnzzEcmtyqz1_iHO9hIyGOTpE0ptpdV2P4lBlxLI/edit#heading=h.9f3a0bh8fut6

APT32 uses the Invoke-Obfuscation framework to obfuscate their PowerShell and also performs other code obfuscation. APT32 has also encoded payloads using Base64 and a framework called "Dont-Kill-My-Cat (DKMC). APT32 also encrypts the library used for network exfiltration with AES-256 in CBC mode in their macOS backdoor.[1][9][3][4][5][6][7]

APT32 includes garbage code to mislead anti-malware software and researchers.[3][6]

APT32 have replaced Microsoft Outlook's VbaProject.OTM file to install a backdoor macro for persistence.[4][5]

APT32 used GetPassword_x64 to harvest credentials.[4][5]

APT32 used Mimikatz and customized versions of Windows Credential Dumper to harvest credentials.[4][5]

APT32 has sent spearphishing emails containing malicious links.[3][4][10]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TCVn-5Cu83BZZUSUM9VYPm0AkaXs5akUQZMcPBIqfRE/edit

APT32 has sent spearphishing emails with a malicious executable disguised as a document or spreadsheet.[3][4][5][6][10]

APT32 malware has injected a Cobalt Strike beacon into Rundll32.exe.[5]

APT32's backdoor can query the Windows Registry to gather system information. [6]

APT32 used Net to use Windows' hidden network shares to copy their tools to remote machines for execution.[5]

APT32 has enumerated DC servers using the command net group "Domain Controllers" /domain. The group has also used the ping command.[5]

APT32 has used scheduled tasks to persist on victim systems.[1][4][5][6]

APT32 has used Web shells to maintain access to victim websites.[2]

APT32 created a Scheduled Task/Job that used regsvr32.exe to execute a COM scriptlet that dynamically downloaded a backdoor and injected it into memory. The group has also used regsvr32 to run their backdoor.[6][1][5]

APT32 malware has used rundll32.exe to execute an initial infection process.[5]

APT32 has used PubPrn.vbs within execution scripts to execute malware, possibly bypassing defenses.[11]

APT32 compromised McAfee ePO to move laterally by distributing malware as a software deployment task.[1]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hL-l-nXVadnKoQ394i7NBofHbyn1OEbhjK3nSM_Ige8/edit#

APT32 has collected the OS version and computer name from victims. One of the group's backdoors can also query the Windows Registry to gather system information, and another macOS backdoor performs a fingerprint of the machine on its first connection to the C&C server. APT32 executed shellcode to identify the name of the infected host.[3][6][7][10]

APT32 used the ipconfig /all command to gather the IP address from the system.[5]

APT32 used the netstat -anpo tcp command to display TCP connections on the victim's machine.[5]

APT32 collected the victim's username and executed the whoami command on the victim's machine. APT32 executed shellcode to collect the username on the victim's machine. [10][3][5]

APT32's backdoor has used Windows services as a way to execute its malicious payload. [6]

APT32 used Outlook Credential Dumper to harvest credentials stored in Windows registry.[4][5]

APT32 successfully gained remote access by using pass the ticket.[5]

APT32 has attempted to lure users to execute a malicious dropper delivered via a spearphishing attachment.[3][4][6][10]

APT32 has lured targets to download a Cobalt Strike beacon by including a malicious link within spearphishing emails.[5]

APT32 has used legitimate local admin account credentials.[1]

APT32 used WMI to deploy their tools on remote machines and to gather information about the Outlook process.[5]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17lUFUbU3SYQV4Um46rj2L0LWDxY-SiHR91SMevFULqc/edit#

Adversaries may modify file attributes that signify programs are from untrusted sources to subvert Gatekeeper controls. In macOS and OS X, when applications or programs are downloaded from the internet, there is a special attribute set on the file called com.apple.quarantine. This attribute is read by Apple's Gatekeeper defense program at execution time and provides a prompt to the user to allow or deny execution.